Once fitted, PVC-U roofline products such as fascia boards and soffits need no maintenance, giving them a huge advantage over timber. We often see homeowners make a costly mistake by leaving it too late to install PVC fascias and soffits. If your timber roofline is in reasonably good shape, you can save money by opting for an over cap which involves fitting a 9mm fascia board on top of the original timbers. Once the PVC overlays the wood, the timbers are shielded from the elements. As the board is only over capped on the front and bottom any damp can still dry out through the top and back. However, if you’ve left it a while and the timbers are rotten, then the only option is a full replacement. This involves removing all of the old fascia boards and soffits and replacing them with PVC-U ones that are usually 16-25mm thick. Replacement is also likely to mean removing the bottom few layers of tiles or slates to fit the boards, as the fascias butt the roof under the eaves. This is more time consuming and the costs of labour and materials increase. However the advantage of a full installation is that it is thorough and can help uncover any unnoticed rotten batons or roofing felt. Before carrying out any installation, a Securahome estimator will carry out a full inspection of existing timbers to assess the best option to offer lasting value for you and your home.