Soffit and Fascia, Vinyl or Aluminum? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Salty Dog · 10-09-2009, 05:07 AM

Any reason to choose one over the other? I'm in SW Florida.

Thanks

Salty Dog · 10-11-2009, 04:49 AM

Is this in the wrong section?

Anyone?

jumbo · 10-11-2009, 09:34 AM

Hey Dog, I know nothing about practices in Florida. Here in Minnesota, the only time you really see vinyl soffits are on trailer houses (pre-fabs, modulars, etc.), or homeowner projects. Actually, I have never seen a new construction home with vinyl soffits on it ( or worse yet, vinyl fascia).

trimchiree · 10-11-2009, 09:34 AM

for what i think you're asking the norm would be

vinyl soffit
aluminum facia

shanekw1 · 10-11-2009, 09:38 AM

I only use vinyl when I need to bend the pieces to get them to fit in between 2 Js.

I try to set it up so I can slide the pieces along from the end and still use aluminum, but it doesn't always work.

Home Serve · 10-11-2009, 05:03 PM

We use aluminum soffit and fascia, no advantage to vinyl besides as mentioned above for flexible in particular situations. Lasts longer, looks better, washes easier! Aluminum that is.

tomstruble · 10-11-2009, 06:00 PM

just about all vinyl soffit here,alum facia
no big difference as far as i can see

bwalley · 10-11-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty Dog

Any reason to choose one over the other? I'm in SW Florida.

Thanks

I prefer Aliminum Soffit and Fascia, Aluminum sags less than Vinyl.

tomstruble · 10-11-2009, 11:42 PM

check out the newer tripple 3 1/3 soffit panels with 3/4'' profiles

Jake Stevens · 10-13-2009, 02:31 PM

We use all hidden vent vinyl soffits and all aluminum fascia.

IHI · 10-13-2009, 04:15 PM

Project budget is one factor since if they dont have much to spend, switching from aluminum to vinyl is one area we can cut costs-IF the soffit is under 18"....anything wider than that the vinyl seems to develope a slight droop over time unless a center nailer is installed and by that time your going to exceed the cost of just using aluminum which will span 30" just fine..anything over 30" and i like to install nailers to break it up for ridgidity sake.

Personally i prefer to work with the vinyl as it cuts faster, cleaner, QUIETER than aluminum and is twice as easy to install, whereas aluminum takes longer since it's not as flexible....I pizz and moan everytime we do aluminum soffit but just like when i pizz and moan doing tile or other PITA work, once it's done the finished product kinda makes you forget about all the headaches of doing the install

**genecarp** · 10-13-2009, 04:24 PM

vinyl soffet---pvc coated aluminum fascia and rake, with the wood grain

buddy110 · 10-14-2009, 06:33 AM

Like most others here we use a vinyl soffit/aluminum fascia. Fiberglass is on the horizon and the fascia is very rigid.

MetalBender · 10-14-2009, 07:33 AM

All aluminum soffit and fascia most all the time. It hangs flatter and stays that way, if needed we can put a nail through it in the center to keep it tight over a long run and paint it. It's much easier to work with in cold weather as is does not shatter when cutting with a saw. Much faster to install because we can cut a full box of soffit at once with a 8 1/4" worm drive, and we can install using a finish stapler for both the J and soffit. Vinyl soffit just looks cheap IMO and the cost savings may be $100 on an entire job, not worth the savings for the PITA install that slows production.

Salty Dog · 10-14-2009, 07:40 PM

Thanks,

I've gotten a couple of prices and they are about the same for vinyl and aluminum. I might as well stick with the aluminum especially in this year round sun and heat.

Exteriors123 · 11-18-2009, 08:01 PM

I really like the look of the soffits that have the hidden ventilation, rather than the visible holes everywhere.

BlackHatch · 11-19-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exteriors123

I really like the look of the soffits that have the hidden ventilation, rather than the visible holes everywhere.

+1

Mostly vinyl around us.

easy sider · 11-19-2009, 04:34 PM

D-5 vinyl verticle siding or the 3/4 inch vinyl soffits make a nice looking eve. So does the 12 inch Alcoa Aluminum soffit. The 16 inch aluminum sags and looks like mobile home junk. Coil stock for facia.

paulie · 11-19-2009, 04:51 PM

I run with the aluminum. All the reasons previously stated plus a couple, if you need to make a sharp clean bend maybe when the rake changes pitch or at the peak aluminum is better. I've even put it in the break and bent it. Speaking of the peak I usually start there bend the aluminum at the ridge (in half) and continue adding to both sides so you end up the same and both sides are equal. A guy I happened to be with said he hadn't seen anybody do it that way, I thought everyone did it that way.

Also I think aluminum stays cleaner and is easier to clean. But that's just my opinion.

MJW · 11-19-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumbo

Hey Dog, I know nothing about practices in Florida. Here in Minnesota, the only time you really see vinyl soffits are on trailer houses (pre-fabs, modulars, etc.), or homeowner projects. Actually, I have never seen a new construction home with vinyl soffits on it ( or worse yet, vinyl fascia).

Yep, seems we do things a little different up here.

We try to use steel fascia if possible and aluminum soffits. As little coil as possible. Just doesn't hold up here.