How to Paint Fascias, Soffits and Bargeboards

Fascias, soffits and bargeboards are parts of a building that often tend to get neglected in terms of maintenance. The fascia and soffit is the part that the guttering is attached to. The underside of this is known as a soffit, and the fascia is the part with the gutter attached to it. Bargeboards are long strips of wood fixed to the gable end of the roof to protect the roof rafters. They also tend to be left untended and should be painted regularly.

Small touch ups like these can go a long way towards protecting and preserving the exterior of your home. Tend to the finer details of your house with these quick and easy DIY projects. Shop everything you need at The Paint Shed today.

Why paint them?

If your fascias and soffits are made of wood (some are made of UPVC) then at some point you will need to have them re-painted or wood-stained depending on the existing finish.

Not painting (or wood-staining) the fascia, soffit and bargeboards every three to five years will lead to the wood deteriorating, letting water into your house or rotting the end of the roof trusses. Paint fades and cracks over time, exposing the bare wood to sun, rain and insect damage.

If left untreated over a long period of time, your fascias will decompose and your gutters may collapse. In this case the fascias and possibly the gutter will need to be replaced.

If you have an older property with cast iron guttering and downpipes, you can also paint the inside of the gutter with bitumen to help protect it. If you have plastic gutters, it’s best to take them down so you can paint behind them. This may also be a good time to inspect the top of the fascia and clean your gutters out. Unless the area of the fascia behind the gutters is treated every few years, it can easily rot and lose its ability to support the gutter.

If you plan to paint your soffits, fascia and bargeboards yourself you will need the right tools and equipment. A painting service will provide a more precise, professional finish but if you are a homeowner who is not afraid of heights, you can follow this simple guide to save yourself time and money.

Preparing the woodwork

Firstly remove the gutters if they aren’t made of cast iron and give them a good clean. Now’s the time to repair any soft or rotten woodwork before repainting. Fascia boards beneath gutters are particularly prone to rot. Use a mallet and chisel, or a saw for the larger areas, to remove wood. Then patch these sections with new wood or repair with a specialized wood restorer. Any new wood should be coated with a wood preservative and primer and left to dry. Fill any smaller holes or cracks with exterior grade wood-filler and seal the gaps around the joints of the new and old timber.

Sanding

Peeling paint can be removed using a scraper and abrasive paper. Then sand the woodwork to flatten any paint blisters, drip marks etc. Non-clogging abrasive paper makes for a quicker job. Then wash the painted or bare wood surfaces with warm soapy water to remove any dirt or grease.

Power washing is the easiest way to remove peeling paint chips quickly and efficiently. For large areas of sanding in preparation for painting, a random orbital sander can be used to speed up process. To reduce the appearance of mildew stains apply a cleaning agent or a mix of water and bleach to the affected areas and allow the chemicals to penetrate the stain. Wait and then rinse down the surface with fresh water before proceeding to paint.

Painting

When painting fascias, soffits and bargeboards, do not opt for cheaper commercial paint. You will need a trade quality exterior paint to properly protect your soffits, fascias and barge boards. Trade quality paint also lasts longer and applies better. This is why at The Paint Shed we only stock paint from the best and biggest trade paint brands. For a professional finish shop our selection of exterior paints from Demidekk, Osmo, Crown and more. After all, if you buy commercial, you buy twice.

Before painting apply at least one undercoat (or exterior wood-stain) to the entire surface and allow to dry (cure) completely. When applying your topcoat remember that two thin coats (first being allowed to dry before second coat application) are better than one thick coat. It’ll normally ‘cure’ faster and look better too. When painting exterior trims it’s best to use a smaller, stiffer paint brush that is suited to exterior use. Paint in one direction, working from one side of the house to the other, this will help you avoid lap marks.

Depending on how much weather the fascia, soffits or bargeboards are subject to, you may have to do this every 4 – 6 years. Regularly check the condition of the paint/stain and deal with any flaking paint or any other problem as soon as possible. This will prolong the life of the wood, and avoid costly repair bills.

Exterior paint at The Paint Shed

To see The Paint Shed's range of paint and materials for all exterior woodwork please check with our website. And remember, any help or advice you require, just contact our experts directly, we are always here to help.

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