If the time has come to replace the soffits connecting the roof overhang to the exterior walls of your home, you may be wondering which material to choose. There are several popular materials commonly available in the Greater Toronto Area, each with their pros and cons. To make your choice easier, we have listed the most popular materials in the section below, along with some thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of each one. Hopefully, after reading this list, you will be better placed to make the right decision for your home.
Choosing the Best Material for Your Soffit Installation
Whether you live in Milton where our offices are situated, or nearby in Burlington or Oakville, your choice of material could have long-term consequences for you and your home. Below, we discuss 4 of the most commonly available materials, to make your choice easier.
- Vinyl – This has been a very popular choice over the years, thanks in no small part to the relatively low cost of vinyl soffits. However, although it is relatively inexpensive, provides a good level of insulation, and is water resistant so will therefore not rot, there are a few issues you need to be aware of should you be thinking of choosing this material for your soffit installation. It discolours quickly and goes brittle when exposed to sunlight, it can be susceptible to mould in damp conditions, and it is difficult to cut and bend, making it unsuitable for odd-shaped roofs.
- Timber – Cedar and pine soffits can look very attractive, which accounts for their popularity in some areas. Unfortunately, although timber is more expensive than vinyl, it will eventually rot in damp conditions and if you want to keep it looking good, you will need to have it stained or painted every few years. The fact that it is susceptible to moisture and is quite a high maintenance choice makes it a less attractive option than it might at first appear.
- Fibre Cement – In common with timber, fibre cement is more expensive than vinyl and unfortunately, it also shares timber’s tendency to rot over time. Both timber and fibre cement soffits are hard to keep clean as well, which means that although they may look much nicer than vinyl when they are first installed, they will quickly deteriorate from an aesthetic point of view. If you choose this material for your next soffit installation, be prepared to put in some hard work keeping it clean or to pay somebody else to do it for you.
- Aluminum – This is another choice that is more expensive than vinyl but, unlike timber and fibre cement, aluminum will not rot. Its durable nature means that it will not chip or crack over time either, making it a good choice for homeowners who want to ensure the exterior of their property remains in excellent condition for many years to come. The fact that it is also non-combustible makes it one of the safest choices for soffit installation in a family home.
One more material that is occasionally offered in the area is steel. While steel is probably even more durable than aluminum, the fact that it can cost up to 40% more makes it a poor value choice as far as most homeowners are concerned. If you would like to find out more about soffit installation and the ramifications of your choice of material, please feel free to call and speak to a member of our team during normal working hours. Alternatively you can use the contact form on our site to request further information if you prefer.