A roof fascia is the vertical board (or frieze) that sits directly underneath the roof’s overhang, usually attached to the gutter. When combined with the soffit (the horizontal board that connects the walls with the fascia), they enclose the roof’s eaves.

Enclosing the roof’s eaves is important for a number of practical reasons. The rafters, trusses, and cavity of the roof are usually made of wood, and the fascia forms a part of the protective shield that prevents rain from getting into them. These wooden areas will start to rot if they are consistently wet, which can cause the roof to sag, threatening its structural integrity. In addition to excess rain, Australia has its fair share of animals too. Pigeons, sparrows, starlings, bats, rats, wasps, hornets, bees, and termites are just a few of the animals that would love to call your roof home, and a solid, well-maintained fascia and soffit blocks their entry and forces them to find somewhere else. Finally, the fascia is what secures the roof’s guttering, and keeps it in place. Because the fascia is directly underneath the guttering, and is often made of wood, it’s crucial to prevent rain from building up in the guttering, because it will spill onto the fascia and cause it to rot.