Roofing 101: What Are Soffits and why are they important?

Your roof is more than just your asphalt shingles or your clay tiles. It is actually an entire system composed of several elements each working together to afford your home the best protection from the elements possible. One of the components that not many homeowners are not familiar with is the soffits. In today’s blog post, roof repair and replacement experts M & A Roof Home Improvement explains what your soffits are and what makes them are so important. 

What Are Roof Soffits?

Even if you don’t know what they are, if you walk outside of your home and look up, you will probably find them. Your soffit is the part of the overhang where your roof meets the side of your home. The word soffit is derived from the French language meaning “something fixed underneath.”

The soffit not only serves an aesthetic purpose by making your roof look more finished. A roofing contractor installs soffits so that when excess water runs down your roof and the overhang, it allows the water to flow away from your house. Soffits are primarily used around the building’s main roof but can also be found under porches, columns, or even under a flight of stairs. 

Why Your Home Needs Soffits

Aside from the functions mentioned above, your soffits also act as a passive ventilation system for your home. Soffits outlining the exterior of your roof are a great way to keep warm moisture in the air from mixing with the attic air and condensing. Soffits also help keep pests from slipping into your home from the roofline, preventing them from nesting inside and damaging electrical components.

Whether you are in need of minor roof repairs and inspections, or are looking for a trusted residential roofing contractor to install your new roof, you can count on the experts over at M & A Roof Home Improvement. If you are a homeowner in Virginia Beach, VA, or its surrounding communities, feel free to give us a call at (757) 779-5244 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us today.