Fascias, soffits, gutters & roofline
Roofline is the collective name for the fascias, soffits, bargeboards, gutters and downpipes that finish the edge of a roof, drain rainwater away from the building and ventilate the roof space below.
The edge of the roof does more than you'd think
It's easy to overlook the roofline, but it does three important jobs at once. The fascia boards cap the rafter ends and provide a solid, level fixing for the gutters. The soffits close off the underside of the roof overhang and, with the right vents built in, let the roof space breathe. The gutters and downpipes carry rainwater off the roof and away from the walls. When any of these fail, the trouble spreads quickly: rotten timber, water down the wall, damp inside, and birds or pests getting into the eaves.
Most older houses have timber roofline that's been painted and repainted over the years until the wood underneath finally gives up. Replacing it in modern uPVC ends the cycle of scraping and repainting and protects the roof edge for decades with almost no upkeep.
What's included
- uPVC fascia boards in a range of colours and finishes, including woodgrain effects
- Soffits with built-in eaves ventilation to keep the roof space dry
- Bargeboards and cladding to gable ends and verges
- New gutters and downpipes, correctly sized and laid to fall for proper drainage
- Removal of rotten timber and making good behind the new roofline
- Gutter and downpipe clearing, repair and renewal as standalone work or part of an upgrade
- A photo work report on completion, so you can see what was done
Low maintenance, done properly
The appeal of a uPVC roofline is that you fit it and forget it, but only if it's installed well. Cheap fits that skip the eaves ventilation, leave old rotten timber in place, or set the gutters at the wrong fall cause more problems than they solve. We strip back to sound timber, ventilate the eaves correctly and set the gutters to drain properly, so the roofline both looks crisp and actually does its job. Keeping the gutters clear afterwards is the one bit of upkeep worth staying on top of, and our guide to gutter maintenance shows how.
An Edinburgh family firm that finishes the job
Ronald G Graham is a family-run roofing and building contractor established in 1996, run by the second generation with the founder trading since 1983, and an NFRC UK Roofing Award winner. We renew rooflines, gutters and downpipes across the whole of Edinburgh and every EH area, the Lothians, Fife and across Scotland, from our HQ at 20 Gordon Street in Leith. Whether it's a full roofline upgrade alongside a re-roof, or simply sorting failing gutters before they damage your walls, book a free survey and we'll give you an honest recommendation and a clear written quote.
Common questions
What is the roofline of a house?
The roofline is the run of components along the edge of the roof: the fascia boards that cap the rafter ends and carry the gutters, the soffits that close off the underside of the overhang, the bargeboards on a gable, and the gutters and downpipes that drain rainwater away. Together they finish the roof, manage water and ventilate the roof space.
How long do uPVC fascias and soffits last?
Good-quality uPVC fascias and soffits typically last 20 to 30 years or more with very little maintenance. Unlike timber they don't rot, warp or need repainting; an occasional wash keeps them looking new. That low upkeep is the main reason most homeowners replace tired timber roofline with uPVC.
Should I repair or replace my fascias and soffits?
If the boards are sound and it's just paint that's failed, repair and redecoration may be enough. But where timber has started to rot, soffits are sagging, or there's evidence of water getting behind the gutter, replacement in uPVC is usually the better long-term value. We'll survey the roofline and give you an honest recommendation rather than defaulting to a full replacement.
Why is eaves ventilation important?
A roof space needs air moving through it to stay dry. Without ventilation at the eaves, warm moist air condenses in the loft, which over time leads to damp, mould and rot in the timbers. When we renew a roofline we build in the right eaves ventilation, so the new soffits look good and protect the roof structure behind them.
Can you replace just the gutters and downpipes?
Yes. We can renew gutters and downpipes on their own, or as part of a full roofline upgrade. Failing or undersized guttering is a common cause of damp walls and leaks, so it's often the first thing worth putting right. Our guide to gutter maintenance covers how to keep them working between visits.
Do blocked gutters really cause damage?
They do, and it's frequently underestimated. Overflowing gutters send water down the wall instead of away from the house, which leads to penetrating damp, rotten fascias and, over time, problems inside. Clearing and maintaining gutters is one of the cheapest ways to protect a building, which is why we include gutter checks in our maintenance work.
Explore further.
Need this done properly?
A free, no-obligation survey and a fixed written quote from Edinburgh's award-winning family roofers.