Soffit and fascia: what they are, what they do, and what replacing them costs
The fascia is the board along the ends of the rafters at the eave, where the gutter hangs; the soffit is the underside of the overhang, between the fascia and the wall. Vented soffit is where the attic's air comes in. Replacing both in metal on a 1 foot overhang runs $17.75 to $24.50 a linear ft of eave, with the contractor's overhead, profit and sales tax.
Anthony Hicks30+ years in construction. Updated November 5, 2026.
Reading as
What each one is
| Part | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Fascia | The upright board across the ends of the rafters at the eave | Closes the rafter ends and carries the gutter |
| Soffit | The underside of the overhang, from the fascia back to the wall | Closes the overhang; vented soffit lets air into the attic |
The guide to the parts of a roof shows both in a cut through the eave.
Soffit vents and the attic
In a vented attic, air comes in low at the soffit vents and leaves high near the ridge. The code sets the vent area an attic needs, 1/150 of the attic floor or 1/300 when part of it is high near the ridge and the rest low at the eaves, and calls for at least 1 inch of air space between the insulation and the roof sheathing at the vents, with the insulation kept from blocking them (IRC R806.2, R806.3). The roof vents guide works out the area, and the ridge vent guide the exhaust side.
What they’re made of
| Material | Soffit | Fascia |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Plywood or boards, painted | Pine or cedar boards, painted |
| Aluminum or steel | Panels, solid or vented | A bent cover over the board, or the fascia itself |
| Vinyl | Panels, solid or vented | Vinyl fascia |
| PVC or fiber cement | Sheets | Boards |
What replacing them costs
Metal soffit and fascia on a 1 foot overhang, the old taken off, with the contractor’s overhead, profit and sales tax:
| House | Eave | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 100 ft | $1,750 to $2,450 |
| Mid-size | 160 ft | $2,850 to $3,950 |
| Large | 240 ft | $4,250 to $5,900 |
That’s $17.75 to $24.50 a linear ft of eave. Wider overhangs, rotted rafter tails found behind the fascia, and gutters taken down and put back are extra. Totals include the contractor’s overhead and profit (20%) and the state’s average sales tax.
Common questions
What is the difference between soffit and fascia?
The fascia faces out, along the rafter ends; the soffit faces down, under the overhang. Together they close the eave.
What is the difference between the eave and the soffit?
The eave is the roof’s lower edge where it runs past the wall; the soffit is the panel on the underside of that overhang. The roof overhang guide covers how far the eave can reach.
Why are soffits vented?
So outside air can come into the attic low and leave high, the cross ventilation the code calls for in an enclosed attic (IRC R806.1).
How do I measure for soffit and fascia?
Measure the eaves, the level edges of the roof, in feet, and the overhang’s depth from the wall to the fascia. Gable ends with an overhang add their rakes. The roofing calculator gives the eave length with the rest of the roof.
Are soffit and fascia part of a roof estimate?
They’re lines of their own on the estimate, priced by the foot. Fascia found rotted when the gutters come down is added as a repair.