Fascia
The term 'fascia' derives from Latin and means ‘band’ or ‘ribbon’. In classical architecture, a fascia was typically a plain, wide band that ran directly above the columns, across the bottom of the entablature. These fascias were often ornately-carved stone and formed part of a cornice.
In more modern buildings, a fascia, sometimes referred to as a fascia board, is a horizontal band which runs along the lower edge of a roof where it overhangs the building’s outer walls, helping close the gap between the roof and the wall.
Fascia boards are typically fixed to the vertical faces of the rafters that form the roof, while soffit boards will typically be fixed to the underside of the rafters to form a 'soffit'. In combination, these elements help to ‘seal’ the roof at its edges. The fascia may also be used to support gutters, and often supports the lower edge of the bottom row of roof tiles.
Fascia boards are often made of timber boards, uPVC or a non-corrosive sheet metal. They can be manufactured in a range of shapes and colours to suit the style of the building in question.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.