How to Figure Soffit

The soffit is located under the the eave or overhang of a building. Soffit comes in various colors and is ventilated or non-ventilated. The purpose of soffit is to keep out insects, animals and birds as well as protect the building from precipitation. You can calculate how much soffit is needed by following a few steps to find the perimeter for the area you want to cover.

25-foot steel measuring tape
Paper and pencil
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Measure one side of the building using the 25-foot steel measuring tape from the end rafter or truss to the other end rafter or truss. Use a pencil to record your measurement on a piece of paper. If the side is longer than 25 feet, use the pencil to make a light mark on the rafter or truss and measure the remaining distance. Add these two totals together to find the total measurement for the side.
- 2
  Repeat the procedure for the other three sides of the building.
- 3
  Use the calculator to add all four measurements together. This total represents the perimeter, which is the amount of soffit that is needed to complete the project.

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