Most Minnesota homeowners understand the great importance of well-constructed and appropriately maintained siding and roofing. However, there is one aspect that commonly gets overlooked: the soffit. Most homeowners hardly think about their soffits.  In fact, other than recognizing the word, many couldn't even tell you what it is or what it does.  But your soffits are very important to the exterior of your home and how well its roofing performs. If you consider the roof of your home like the top of a mushroom, the underbelly of the structure is like the soffit. But exactly what is a soffit, and what is the reason it’s important to your home? Location of Soffits

Soffits are horizontal structures located directly below the edge of the roof on a house.  However, not every home has them. Only overhanging roofs have soffits. You can simply step outside and look up to see your soffits if your roof extends beyond your home’s walls.  Depending on the style of roof you have, soffits may exist only in some areas, or they may surround the entire house.  And they are much more than decorative, although that's part of their purpose. Soffits cover up the eaves under the roof overhang, providing a finished look.  Yes, they are part of the trim, but they are much more than ornamental.

What is a Soffit and Why Is It  Needed?

All houses require ventilation. When properly installed, the vents in the soffits do an excellent job providing passive ventilation. In a home without proper ventilation, the warm air and moisture become trapped in the attic, crawl space, or ceiling with no way of escaping. This increased condensation will lead to mold.

Soffits allow for continuous movement and ventilation of airflow to reduce the chance for mold to develop. Soffits are also very helpful against pests. Thanks to soffits, unwanted intruders, such as squirrels, don’t nest in your home, spreading disease, and chewing through your electrical systems. The soffit system also helps to prevent ice dams from happening in the winter months. In fact, it's often one of the first places we inspect when we're designing a solution for a home that has a chronic ice dam problem.

When a Soffit Board Becomes Damaged

A soffit is unable to do its job correctly if it becomes damaged. Not only is ventilation jeopardized, but the weak spots and holes also provide an ideal place for pests to invade your attic space. Damaged soffits should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

If you are in need of more information about soffits, the experts at Quarve will be happy to help!  We are a licensed Minnesota roofing contractor serving the greater Minneapolis metro area.