Before fascia boards became widely distributed in materials like aluminum, composite, and vinyl, wood was the pioneering material used to make them.
Wood is still being used to make fascia boards today, but it isn’t exactly the most durable material for these trims.
The good thing is, what wood lacks in durability, it makes up for in appeal and eco-friendliness.
As you may know, a lot of wood fascias are made from naturally rot-resistant woods that are far from cheap.
This has led many DIYers to experiment with cheaper alternatives like plywood.
Here are the findings from their attempts and our own take on if cheaper wood products like plywood can be effectively used as fascia boards.
Here’s if Plywood Can Be Used as Fascia Board:
Plywood should not be used as a fascia board because it is a brittle material that cannot withstand the weight of an overhead gutter. Plywood is water resistant and not waterproof, making it unsuitable for exterior use, where it would be constantly exposed to water and other elements.
Is Plywood Good for Fascia Boards?
A Fascia board is one of the features of a building that is most exposed.
The material bears the weight of the overhead gutter hung close to the roof, covers the roof’s underlayment, and protects your home from wind and rain.
Owing to the numerous functions of this board, the type of material you use for it must be durable and sustainable.
The material that you use for these boards should have some level of resistance to water or should be waterproof and resistant to rot.
Also, the durability should be considerably high to avoid frequent replacements or incurring high maintenance costs.
Many materials fit into this description of the right material that can be used as a fascia board.
However, wood is the commonest material used in making fascia boards and it’s quite clear why.
Homeowners prefer to use the same material for their siding and fascia, and since most people prefer wooden siding to any other material of siding, wooden fascias are widespread.
Plywood is not a suitable enough material for fascia boards, this is because the engineered sheets of wood have a low water resistance.
The position where the fascia board is placed is unprotected from external elements like rain and snow.
Since plywood is not resistant to water, it is susceptible to rot, which is not a good quality for a material you would like to use as a fascia.
Plywood is not an advisable material that you should use for fascia boards. Rather than using plywood, you can use PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC), wood fascia, or aluminum fascia.
Although plywood is unsuitable for fascia boards, you can use it for soffit.
A soffit is the material that goes on the bottom space between the fascia board and the wall. It protects your home from pest intrusions and aids in the overall insulation of a home.
Can Treated Plywood Be Used for Fascia Boards?
Treated plywood is plywood that has been treated with chemical preservatives from the surface down to the grains of the wood.
This is usually done to improve the durability of the wood and increase its resistance to water, rot and pest attacks.
Treated plywood is often more expensive than ordinary wood and is generally of better quality than untreated options.
It is used for many purposes in building construction, but homeowners often wonder if you can use this variation of plywood as a fascia board.
Treated plywood is not suitable for fascia boards. This is because it has a high tendency to curl and inevitably develops cracks when exposed to the elements.
Although the treated plywood has a higher resistance to water, wind, pests, and rot, it is still unsuitable for fascia boards.
Why Should You Choose Plywood for Fascia?
Plywood is a material made from thin sheets of bonded wood. It is an engineered wood that is soft, light, and durable.
It is fit for many purposes in building constructions, but unfortunately not for serving as a fascia board. Plywood is not a suitable material that you can use for the fascia board.
There are a couple of reasons why you should not use plywood for your home’s fascia board; they include:
- Plywood is not waterproof
However, you can say that plywood is water-resistant. This means that plywood can survive frequent exposure to water but is not suitable for an area exposed continually to the element. The fascia board is part of a home’s exterior; any material used for it will frequently come in contact with water during wet seasons.
- Plywood is a light material
The fascia board covers the roof and the rafters’ underlayments and bears the weight of the overhead gutter hung on the roof. The plywood material is not thick, making it a bad fit for fascia boards.
- Plywood tends to curl at the tip and begin to crack
Plywood is an engineered wood that is made from sheets of wood. It tends to bend and inadvertently break when used in an open place for a prolonged period.
What Wood Should You Use for Fascia Boards?
Wood is a pretty popular material used to make fascia boards. It has proven to be a good material suitable for the exterior of a home, it is affordable, visually appealing, and durable.
However, not all types of wood can be used. There are specific type of woods that can be used to make fascia boards.
Cedar is an example of a type of wood that can be used for fascia boards. It is mostly used because it has a natural anti-rot feature making it a good option for external use.
Other types of wood commonly used for fascia include redwood and cypress.
Five Tips for Choosing the Best Material for Fascia :
Consider these five tips to choose the best material for your home fascia board:
- Be clear about what you want to achieve with your fascia board. The style of the building and the kind of material that can match it.
- Study the pros and cons of the types of material you desire to use for your fascia board.
- You can consult an expert to get a professional opinion.
- Research the best brand of material to buy.
- Get your material from a hardware store near you or order it online from a reputable platform
Summary
Plywood is a material that is not suitable for fascia boards because it is not waterproof, and it is a light material that might not be able to sustain the weight of an overhead gutter. Even treated plywood is still not advisable to be used for fascia boards.
Other types of wood, such as cedar, cypress, and redwood, are recommended wood used for fascia boards. You can also check with a professional for your choice of wood for the fascia board.
References
hunker.com/12003577/what-type-of-material-to-use-for-fascia-board
integrityroofers.com/examining-the-composition-and-function-of-fascia-board/
homeshowradio.com/early_edition_answer/fascia-boards-soffits/
