Surfing Soffit Dilemma

smadax

We installed 10' lengths of vinyl soffit under the ceiling of a deck. The soffit waved quite badly and we removed it and placed additional bracing every 2-3 feet for screws... but it's still slightly wavy.

Is there anything we can do to make them lay straight, opposed to shortening the lengths and running another strip of J in the middle??

PA woodbutcher

I would use 2' as a maximim. It is only vinyl. If not exposed to rain water you can use roofing nails up, but if it is use aluminum siding nails. Don't nail it too tight or you will end up with waves anyways when it expands and contracts with the temps. If you have a high ceiling joist you can float the soffit on the nail also. How much wind in the area?

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smadax

Hm, they attached the soffit with screws.... I'm willing to bet they didn't leave room for contraction. The area is not in direct wind, protected with trees.

WarnerConstInc.

Dont use vynal.

smadax

At all, or just for these lengths?

WarnerConstInc.

For long lengths, unless you put up a bunch of strapping so you nail the piss out of it, nailed loose though.
I have never had much luck with vinyl with anything over a 2' span.

smadax

Good to know, thanks.

Jer

Aluminum soffit is a much better product for longer overhangs (36" or longer)

Meetre

how wavy is the framing? if it's off, you may need to shim it all to one plane. oh, don't use vinyl, the stuff was made to wave, just the nature of the beast.

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AtlanticWBConst

If the framing is not straight, even the alumnium will be wavy as well, not to mention that the you need to ventilate the soffits,

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builderr

I found a panel from alside that I think might be a charter oak..vented soffit panel...was very rigid.

worked good for me on a 10 ft farmers porch

David