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.

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[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Cornice.
• Domestic roof.
• Eaves.
• Entablature.
• Frieze.
• Rain gutter.
• Soffit.
• Types of ceiling.
• Types of roof.