Clutchcargo

I've got some pretty ugly exposed rafter tails that I want to cover. What are my options for soffit covers that a homeowner can DIY?

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Chagres

If you mean what I think you do, I just replaced a lot of rotten soffit last year on my house. I nailed 1" X 6"s (I used pressure treated, but you could use Hardie) across the rafter tails. They extend about 5/8" below the rafters. Then I screwed up plywood on the horizontal part of the soffit, from the hanging down lip to the exterior wall. Then I used my jigsaw to cut rectangular holes in it for soffit vents. If you choose to use Hardi for the horizontal part, I believe they sell it with built in soffit vents, and of course, it's pre-primed. Both of those things will save labor in the long run.

Kelly
www.icanfixupmyhome.com

Termite

Good ideas from Chagres. Another option is plywood. A/C or B/C will take primer and paint. There are also some nice roughsawn face plywoods that would work nice (Roseburg is a manufacturer that comes to mind).

buletbob

You could also consider Vinyl soffit material 1/2" J channel and vented and non vented soffit. it comes in different colors . BOB

AtlanticWBConst.

Dependant on the actual condition of the rafter tails, you may need to install return blocking to properly square the tails, in order for your material installation to be straight.

Example:


Also, you may wish to consider venting the area.

Common Vent: Measure the overall width of the opening from fascia edge to the home's side. Figure in the installation of a soffit vent strip along the middle of the soffit's length. Install pre-primed 1x boards along each side.

Example:


Another option is to install vinyl soffit panels, either, unvented, partially vented, or fully vented.

Example:

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- Build Well -

Chagres

Good ideas. I used plywood on mine. Would have liked to use the continuous vent but since I was only replacing sections... I was trying to get done before the roofer arrived the next week. A re-roof in the South Texas sun is one DIY project that I won't do. I did one back in the '80s - that was enough.

Chagres
www.icanfixupmyhome.com