As a homeowner, you might be already familiar with the word, “soffit”. It may look like a non-essential part of your home. But what exactly is a roof soffit actually and why is it necessary?
A Brief History
Soffit is a shortened word that was derived from two older words that came from the French “soffite” and the Italian “soffitto”. These words, in turn, were derived from the old Latin word “suffixus”, which means to insert below. Nowadays, the modern word “soffit” is used mainly in home improvement terms to refer to an important part of the roofing system.
A roof soffit serves a vital role in protecting your home, especially from the uncontrollable weather elements. It’s usually part of any well-built roofing system. If for some reason you choose not to have a soffit installed under your roof, then the internal rafts and beams are exposed to the weather elements, which can lead to moisture build up and mold growth. This can prematurely deteriorate your roof’s internal structure, which can be dangerous .
How a Soffit Functions at Home
The soffit really becomes effective during summer and winter. On a given summer day, the heat can really accumulate in the attic of your home. This prompts you to use your HVAC system almost all the time just to keep your home comfortable, ending up with higher energy consumption. But with a vented roof soffit, the heat will expel from your attic at a much faster rate. This keeps your home naturally cool, and your home won’t consume as much energy. It serves essentially the same purpose as well during winter, preventing moisture from building up as much so mold won’t easily grow inside your roof.
You don’t have to make a choice between style and function. With our quality services offered by Bradford Xteriors, you can have the best of both worlds. So, whether you need roofing or siding installation services, you can count on us. Give us a call at (614) 483-6215, or contact us online via our request form. We serve Upper Arlington, Columbus, Dublin and surrounding areas.