While there are many quality sealants on the market, our top recommendation for sealing Fascia's and Soffits is the Soudal Silirub LMN — a superior quality low modulus neutral cure silicone sealant.
Seams between sections of fascia board should be sealed with silicone caulking or another type of sealant to prevent water intrusion. A recommended method to protect fascia boards is wrapping them in metal, which enhances their durability and resistance to weather conditions.
Exterior Polyurethane Caulk. Polyurethane is one of the best materials to use for sealing the exterior of a home. This exterior caulk is UV-resistant, so DIYers won't have to look at ugly yellowing over time on what was once a clear bead of caulking.
Installing a good quality aluminum fascia wrap or covering will protect them from harsh water damage in the long run and prevent you from having to replace wood behind the siding down the line.
If you seal the bottom edges and joints of soffits and fascia trim you've effectively created a bathtub. Water will then travel where you don't want it to or, maybe worse, it will fester and grow mold and mildew.
The bottom of siding boards should not be caulked
Water is meant to exit through the bottom of each board. While paint does tend to somewhat glue these pieces together, caulking them is never advised and can cause permanent damage. Also, avoid caulking tongue-and-groove siding boards together.
Prevention of Water Ingress: One of the primary benefits of sealing gaps in fascia's and soffits is the prevention of water ingress. Gaps can allow water to penetrate into the underlying structures, leading to moisture damage, rot, and decay.
Like any other component of your home, the best way to preserve and extend the life of your fascia is through regular maintenance. Make sure to have your gutters cleaned routinely to prevent water buildup around the edges of your roof.
Your soffits and fascias can be a stubborn place to clean but a pressure washer can make the job of cleaning them much easier.
Silicone caulk stands up to extremes in temperature changes and can last up to 20 years when properly applied. Cleanup for silicone caulk requires solvents instead of water. Used outdoors in areas exposed to direct sunlight or rain, silicone helps the seal last longer.
The Ultra will not cover gaps as wide as the Dynaflex 230 will. This Ultra is not meant for gaps wider that 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch wide/deep. You'll need to use backer rod if you're caulking anything deeper. So both the 230 and the Ultra are great products.
The best material to use for fascia is either aluminum or vinyl, as they are more water-resistant and less prone to rot. Aluminum and vinyl are commonly recommended by roofing and siding professionals.
Alex Plus All Purpose Acrylic Latex Caulk Plus Silicone is an excellent choice for these projects. It has siliconized additives to provide outstanding flexibility and strong adhesion to a wide variety of surfaces without cracking or chalking.
While caulk is long-lasting on solid, unmoving surfaces, silicone sealant's flexibility means it lasts longer in areas with higher moisture. Using silicone sealant in a bathroom for sealing cracks in the tub and shower will create a more durable seal without needing to frequently re-apply.
You should replace wooden fascia every 10 to 15 years, depending on its condition and exposure to the elements. Regular maintenance helps prolong its life, but eventually, it will need replacing. Consider switching to uPVC fascia for a longer-lasting, low-maintenance option that can last 20 to 30 years or more.
Cost to replace fascia and soffit boards
If you need a new fascia board, the replacement cost per linear metre is usually from £80 to £100. Replacing soffit boards is slightly more involved due to positioning and will usually cost somewhere from £100 to £120 per linear metre.
Healthy fascia is smooth, slippery and flexible. Factors that cause fascia to become gummy and crinkle up (called adhesion) include: A lifestyle of limited physical activity (too little movement day after day) Repetitive movement that overworks one part of the body.
Your roofers may use a silicone caulking or another type of sealant. Now, the wood itself needs to be sealed. Any exterior wood sealant will work, and you may want your roofers to follow it up with a coat of paint to match your gutters. There's no reason to paint the wood if you use fascia trim.
For fascia board applications, spruce, pine, and fir lumber are recommended to use instead of pressure-treated wood, as most fascia boards are capped with aluminum to protect the home from water or other damage.
Most soffit and fascia panels will come with a guarantee for X amount of years (usually ten or more) but the exact time between replacements will depend on external conditions, the level of care they are subjected to, as well as the materials they are made from.
Also, don't caulk plumbing fixtures or areas that have moving parts like hinges or sliding shower doors.
Sealing the bottom edges and joints of soffits and fascia creates an area where water can pool. Over time, this will lead to moisture-related problems like mold, mildew and rot.
Quick answer: Don't caulk the weep holes, moving portions, or the tops of your windows. Only apply caulk to the joints of your windows after you remove old sealant. Installing new windows is a great way to give your home a facelift and lower your energy bills.