Alternatives to Soffit

Open Trusses

• One alternative to soffit is not to install any. Leave the trusses and roof decking visible. Many home designs leave the roof trusses visible on the overhang and then apply paint to the underside of the roof decking and overhanging trusses. The same method is used on the overhang on the gable ends of the roof.

Beams

• Instead of installing soffit on the overhang or covered porch, the contractor can use beams and decking that he can stain. Rough red cedar, mahogany, oak or other solid woods come in beams and flat wood planks or decking. You can stain the open beams and wood with a clear coat stain or to a desired darkness.

No Soffit

• Another alternative to soffit installed on the overhang of a roof is having no overhang. Place the end of the trusses even with the side of the building. You can place fascia board flush with the siding of the building. The disadvantage to this alternative is that water will run off the roof and onto the siding of the building if you do not install gutters.

Venting

• One of the benefits of installing soffit is the ability to place vents within the run of the soffit. Using any one of the other alternatives to soffit makes it a little more difficult to install roof vents without the vents being noticeable. The roof requires air so it will reduce the moisture build up in the rafters, insulation and attic. House energy states that ventilation reduces the temperature in the attic and the roof during the hotter months of the year. The life of the material used to construct the roof lengthen because of the venting installed.