If the paint on your fascias is peeling, the timber feels soft when you press it, or you can see gaps where the boards have shrunk and warped, it's time for replacement. Rotten fascias don't just look bad — they compromise the support for your gutters and allow water, birds, and insects into the roof space. We replace fascias and soffits across Kent in uPVC, which never needs painting and won't rot.
Fascia and soffit replacement involves removing the old timber boards from along the eaves of your roof and fitting new uPVC boards in their place. The fascia board is the vertical board that the guttering is attached to — on most properties across Sevenoaks, the original timber fascia has been painted and repainted over the years, and eventually the paint fails, moisture gets into the timber, and rot sets in. Once the fascia rots, the gutter brackets lose their fixing, the gutter sags or falls, and water starts running down the wall. The soffit board is the horizontal board that closes off the space between the bottom of the roof and the wall. It protects the rafter feet from the weather and prevents birds and vermin from getting into the loft. Properly ventilated soffit boards also provide essential low-level airflow into the roof space, which is a Building Regulations requirement for controlling condensation. We fit uPVC fascia and soffit boards from the major manufacturers — typically in 18mm (fascia) and 9mm (soffit) thicknesses. The standard colour is white, but we also offer black ash, rosewood, anthracite grey, and other finishes. For properties in Sevenoaks, where an affluent town in the Kent Weald with many substantial period properties, oast house conversions, and premium homes set among the North Downs, the key is getting the fascia and soffit done before the rot spreads to the rafter feet — because once the structural timbers go, the repair becomes much more involved and expensive. We always check the rafter ends when we strip the old boards and let you know if any timber repairs are needed.
This is the number one reason for fascia replacement across Kent. Painted timber eventually lets moisture in — through cracks in the paint, at joints, or where guttering has been leaking for a while. The timber softens, the paint bubbles and peels, and the board starts to crumble. Once timber fascias start rotting, they deteriorate quickly and usually need replacing within a year or two of the first signs appearing.
As timber soffits warp and shrink, gaps appear between the boards and between the soffit and the wall. These gaps are an open invitation for birds (particularly starlings and sparrows) to nest under the eaves, and for wasps and bees to get into the roof space. New close-fitting uPVC soffits seal these gaps while still allowing ventilation through purpose-made vents.
Many older properties had solid timber soffits with no ventilation at all. Building Regulations now require a minimum of 10mm continuous ventilation at eaves level (or equivalent) to prevent condensation in the loft. When we fit new soffits, we use ventilated boards that provide this airflow — it's an important part of keeping the loft dry and the roof timbers in good condition.
When the fascia board behind the guttering is soft with rot, the gutter bracket screws lose their grip and the gutter starts to sag or pull away from the wall. This is often the first visible sign that the fascia needs replacing. Fitting new fascia boards gives the gutter brackets a solid fixing again.
Full fascia and soffit replacement in uPVC on a typical semi-detached in Sevenoaks costs £1,200-£2,000 depending on the extent and the colour/finish chosen. Detached houses run £2,000-£3,500. Capping over existing timber (where the timber is still sound) is cheaper — £800-£1,500 for a semi. If you're doing fascias at the same time as new gutters — which we recommend since the gutters have to come off anyway — the combined package is £1,500-£2,500 for a semi, saving on labour compared to doing them separately. Barge boards (the boards on the gable ends) are quoted per metre — typically £25-£40 per metre fitted. If rafter feet need cutting back or treating because of rot, that's additional but we always flag it and quote separately.
Fascia boards: 18mm uPVC from Swish, Freefoam, or Eurocell — available in white, black ash, rosewood, golden oak, anthracite grey, and storm grey. Full replacement boards are typically 225mm or 250mm deep to match the existing profile. Capping boards are 9mm and fit over the existing timber. Soffit boards: 9mm uPVC, available in flat or hollow-section profiles. Ventilated soffits have a continuous slot pattern providing 25,000mm²/m of ventilation area, exceeding Building Regs requirements. We also fit Manthorpe continuous soffit vent strips where solid soffit boards are used. Fixings: stainless steel screws throughout — we never use nails for fascia and soffit work. Corner trims, joint covers, and drip edges are colour-matched to the boards.
We check all fascia and soffit boards around your Sevenoaks property, noting which sections are rotten, damaged, or in good enough condition for capping. We check the rafter feet behind the fascia and the condition of the guttering.
We give you a written quote covering the full job — stripping, disposal, new boards, and any additional work like gutter replacement or rafter repairs. You choose the colour and finish from our range of uPVC options.
The existing guttering is removed carefully. Old timber fascia and soffit boards are stripped off. We inspect and treat the rafter feet — cutting back any rotten timber and treating with preservative. If the rafter feet need building up, we splice in new treated timber.
New uPVC fascia and soffit boards are cut to size and fixed with stainless steel screws. Ventilated soffits are positioned to provide proper airflow into the loft. All joints, corners, and end caps are fitted for a clean finish.
Existing guttering (if sound) is refitted to the new fascia, or new guttering is installed as part of the package. Brackets are spaced correctly and set to the proper fall. Everything is tested and cleaned up.
Timber fascias and soffits on properties across Sevenoaks have a limited life before they need replacing — typically 20-30 years depending on how well the paint was maintained and how much the timber was exposed to moisture. Sevenoaks is an affluent town in the Kent Weald with many substantial period properties, oast house conversions, and premium homes set among the North Downs. Properties where the guttering has been leaking for a while often have the worst fascia damage, because the overflowing water runs directly onto the fascia board below. Inter-war and post-war properties — which make up a large proportion of the housing stock in Kent — are reaching the age where their original timber fascias and soffits have had their day and uPVC replacement is the practical solution.
We offer combined fascia, soffit, and gutter packages across Kent that save you money compared to doing each job separately. The gutters have to come off for fascia work anyway — doing both at once makes practical and financial sense.
Fascia replacement isn't just about the visible boards. We check and treat the rafter feet behind them, because there's no point fitting new boards to rotten timber. If repairs are needed, we do them properly.
We fit ventilated soffits that meet Building Regulations for loft ventilation. It's not just about looks — proper soffit ventilation prevents condensation in the loft and protects your roof timbers.
White isn't your only option. We offer a range of uPVC colours and finishes — anthracite grey, black ash, rosewood — so your new fascias can complement your windows and doors.
Full replacement on a semi-detached typically costs £1,200-£2,000. Detached houses run £2,000-£3,500. Capping over existing timber is cheaper at £800-£1,500. A combined fascia, soffit, and gutter package for a semi is £1,500-£2,500. We always give you a fixed price after inspection.
Capping is cheaper and quicker, but it only works if the existing timber is structurally sound. If the timber is rotten, capping just hides the problem — the rot continues underneath and the new boards eventually lose their fixing. We always check the timber condition and recommend the right approach. Full replacement is the better long-term investment if there's any doubt about the timber.
Yes, if both need attention. The gutters have to come off to fit new fascias, so you're paying for that labour either way. Doing both together saves on access costs, avoids disturbing the gutters twice, and means everything is new and matched. We offer combined packages that are better value than doing each separately.
Building Regulations require roof ventilation at eaves level in most situations. Ventilated soffit boards provide this airflow, allowing air to circulate through the loft and preventing condensation buildup. If your existing soffits are solid timber with no ventilation, upgrading to ventilated uPVC soffits when you replace them is important for the long-term health of your roof timbers.
White is the most common, but we also fit black ash, anthracite grey (increasingly popular), rosewood, golden oak, and storm grey. These colours are consistent all the way through the board, so they don't fade or peel like painted timber. Most homeowners in Sevenoaks choose either white or anthracite grey to match their window frames.
uPVC fascia and soffit boards last 20-30 years or more. They don't rot, don't need painting, and maintain their colour well. The only maintenance is an occasional wipe down. Quality boards from brands like Swish, Freefoam, and Eurocell come with manufacturer warranties of 10-20 years.
Look for peeling paint, soft or crumbly timber, visible rot, gaps between boards, sagging gutters (which often means the fascia behind is soft), and any signs of birds or insects getting under the eaves. If you press the timber and it gives, or you can push a screwdriver into it, the board is rotten and needs replacing. From ground level, binoculars help — or we can come and have a look for you.
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