Are you an architect working on a new educational building? Are you a project manager overseeing the construction of a brand-new educational facility? In both scenarios, you should not neglect the importance of soffit framing. Keep reading to learn more about this important aspect of any commercial construction project.
Overview of Soffit Framing
The part of the roof that extends over the wall of your school or university building is the rafters, right? Soffit framing is the process of giving a finished appearance to the underside of the roof’s overhang. “Something fixed underneath” is the literal meaning of soffit.
Benefits of Soffit Framing
There are several key reasons why soffit framing is essential for your educational facility.
Ensuring Proper Ventilation
Soffit framing can help properly ventilate the space underneath the roof. Why is this important? Well, excessive heat may lead to roof damage, such as broken shingles. Also, overheating may strain your facility’s HVAC system, causing increased energy bills.
Not only that, but a roof that is not properly ventilated is more prone to accruing ice dams during the winter, which poses a health hazard. Soffit framing helps ventilate cool air under the roof, keeping the temperature uniform and preventing the snow from melting and freezing on the overhang.
Protecting the Roof
Whenever insects get under your roof, they may cause such problems as rot and mold growth. Also, various rodents and birds are attracted to nest under the roof. Soffit framing helps mitigate these risks and ensure the longevity of your roof. Remember, the longer it lasts, the less headaches you have in the long run.
Aesthetics
Last but not least, visually appealing schools inspire learning. Soffit framing gives a finished appearance to the school or campus building’s exterior.
Now that you are incorporating soffit framing into your architectural design, you should be excited to know that soffit panels come in a variety of colors. You can definitely find a perfect match for your building’s siding and roof.
Two Types of Soffit Panels
Soffit panels can be smooth and ventilated. Ventilated soffit panels are the best option if you need to ensure your roof does not get overheated.
Durable Soffit Materials
We recommend that you opt for metal stud soffit framing rather than wood soffit framing for your school or campus building because wood is not as durable. For example, squirrels tend to chew through wood, making frequent repairs a necessity and reducing the quality of your soffit. Also, wood is susceptible to rotting.
Other viable options for your soffit panels include fiber cement and vinyl.
Importance of Professional Soffit Installation
When it comes to soffit framing installation, you do not want to settle for anything less than professional services. Alignment and secure edging are two pillars of effective soffit installation. If there are gaps near the soffit, these will eventually become breeding grounds for mold.
At Curtis Partition, we have years of experience with soffit installation. For instance, we installed soffit framing for Columbia Business School. When it comes to securing your roof from overheating, mold, and pest damage, we are the experts you can rely on. Contact us today!