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Capping vs full replacement

Capping Over or Full Replacement?

Capping (cladding over) fixes thin uPVC over the old timber and only works if that timber is free of rot and strong enough to carry the gutter. If the timber is rotten, the old boards have to come off and new load-bearing boards go on.

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Free, no obligation. One local company prices it, not five.

  • 9 mmcapping, over sound timber
  • 18 mmreplacement boards, onto the rafters
  • 1 screwdriveris how you test the timber first
  • €1,000 to €2,500full replacement on a semi

Before and after

What it looks like done

Real houses with tired boards, and the same photo with new fascia and soffit drawn by our tool. Try it on your own house in two minutes.

Anthracite boards and square gutters on a row of dormers, before and afterAnthraciteBeforePreview

Anthracite boards and square gutters on a row of dormers

Example preview made with our tool

Tired dark boards to clean white uPVC on a pebbledash semi, before and afterWhiteBeforePreview

Tired dark boards to clean white uPVC on a pebbledash semi

Example preview made with our tool

White boards to anthracite grey, ogee gutters, on a bungalow, before and afterAnthraciteBeforePreview

White boards to anthracite grey, ogee gutters, on a bungalow

Example preview made with our tool

See it on your own house

The difference

Over the timber or instead of it

Capping, also called cladding over or overboarding, leaves the old timber fascia in place and covers it with thin uPVC. Capping boards aren't load bearing, so the old timber still carries the gutter.

Full replacement takes the old boards off and fixes load-bearing uPVC straight to the rafter ends. Any rotten rafter ends are found and fixed on the way.

Is it done?

Capping is common practice

Capping sound timber is how a lot of Irish rooflines are done, and it saves the labour of stripping and dumping the old boards. Rotten parts should be cut out and replaced, never capped: rot covered over keeps spreading where no one can see it.

Check first

Four things to check before capping

  • Push a screwdriver into the timber along the bottom edge and at the joints, from a ladder with someone footing it. If it goes in easily, it's rotten.
  • Look at the gutter line. A gutter that dips between brackets is often pulling out of soft wood.
  • Look under the eaves for damp staining, or birds and wasps getting in behind.
  • Ventilation. If the soffit gets vents, they must go through the timber behind, or they do nothing.

Ask the company to say in writing which they're quoting and what happens if they find rot once they start.

What it saves

Cheaper, if the wood allows

Capping saves the strip-out and disposal. How much depends on the house, so ask for both options priced on the same quote and decide once the company has seen the timber.

Three steps

How it works

  1. Tell us the jobThree taps on the form, or a photo in the Studio. Only your phone number is needed.
  2. We match you with one companyOne fascia and soffit company that covers your county, vetted for this work. Not a list, and not five firms ringing you.
  3. They ring you with a priceAfter a look at the house, in writing: boards, colour, gutters, access and VAT. Nothing is agreed until you say yes.

See it on your home

See new fascia and soffit on your own house

Take a photo of the front of your house, pick a colour, a gutter shape and the boards, and see the same house with the work done. Then ask for any change. Free, in about two minutes.

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Free quote

Get a price in 3 taps

Tap what you need and leave your number. It goes to one fascia and soffit company that covers your county, and they ring you to arrange a look and a written price.

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By sending, you agree to Fascias and Soffits passing your details to one fascia and soffit company that covers your county, so they can contact you about the job. Privacy notice

FAQ

Questions we get asked

Is cladding over fascia boards a good idea?

If the timber is sound, yes, and it's common practice. If it's rotten, no: capping boards aren't load bearing and rely on the timber behind.

How do I know if my fascia is rotten?

Soft spots when pressed with a screwdriver, flaking paint with dark wood under it, a gutter dropping between brackets, or damp under the eaves.

Can rot spread under capping?

Yes. The capping hides it, it doesn't stop it. That's why only sound timber should be capped.

Guides

Fascia and soffit explained

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Fascia and soffit in your county

One company covers each request. Pick your county for local prices, house types and the towns covered.

Get a free quote for your fascia and soffit

One company that covers your county rings you. Nothing is agreed until you accept a written price.

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