Replacing fascia boards: when and with which material?

Replacing fascia boards is necessary when the timber has started to rot, the paint keeps peeling or the boards come loose. Fascia boards are the boards along the edge of the roof that cover the roof edge and often the gutter. They take the brunt of wind and weather, and over time that shows. Small spots can sometimes be repaired. If the timber is soft over a longer stretch, replacing them is the sensible choice. You can then choose timber again or switch to a low-maintenance material.

When should you replace fascia boards?

Fascia boards sit high up and are therefore often inspected late. Yet the signs are clear. Push a screwdriver into the timber: if it sinks in easily, there is wood rot.

Rot in a fascia board rarely stays confined to the board itself. Water can also affect the roof edge and roof boarding through a leaking gutter or loose roof trim. The sooner you deal with it, the smaller the job.

• Paint that peels or keeps coming loose
• Soft timber that a screwdriver sinks into
• Loose, warped or cracked boards
• Damp patches or green growth under the roof edge

Which material do you choose when replacing fascia boards?

Timber is the traditional choice and suits older homes and thatched roofs well. It does need painting every few years. uPVC fascia boards, often with a wood grain, need hardly any maintenance. A middle way is a timber fascia board covered with sheet material, aluminium or zinc.

Choose what suits the look of the home and how much maintenance you want to do. The same trade-off applies to window frames, see timber or uPVC frames.

• Timber: classic and repairable, but needs painting
• uPVC: low maintenance, also with a wood grain
• Sheet material: sleek, modern and colourfast
• Aluminium or zinc: durable, often as a cover

How does replacing fascia boards work?

First scaffolding or a mobile tower goes up so the work can be done safely. The old fascia boards are removed and the structure behind them is checked. Rotten parts of the roof edge are repaired before the new boards go on.

This is often the moment to include the gutter, the roof trim or the junction with the roof covering. Then the scaffolding only has to come once. On a flat roof the roof covering connects directly to the fascia boards, so that junction deserves extra attention.

Can you replace fascia boards and window frames at the same time?

Yes, and that is often convenient. On one of our projects the client wanted to replace an aluminium frame with a new frame with two French doors in the middle, and have the fascia boards renewed at the same time. It is a home with a thatched roof and a large glass facade, where the details stand out even more. You can see the result at frame and fascia boards renewed.

Doing it in one go means frame, facade and roof edge join up neatly. Read more about our approach under window and door frames.

What does replacing fascia boards cost?

The price depends on the length, the working height, the material and the condition of the roof edge behind. The scaffolding is often a substantial part of the cost. You will find rough ranges per linear metre at the cost of replacing fascia boards.

We are happy to come and take a look, so the quote is based on what is really behind the boards. For the bigger picture, see maintenance and restoration.

Frequently asked questions