uPVC vs Aluminium fascia and soffit

superspark

Hi, just getting ready to fit the fascia and soffit on the house, got a few prices for black fascia and soffit in uPVC or aluminium, was told upvc will fade in black after a few years and that aluminium would be a better way to go, anyone got any thoughts or opinions on this please,
thanks

Lemlin

I was also told the same by my roofer. He recommended that I go with black seamless aluminium as the PVC would fade in colour over time. Is there much of a price difference between PVC and aluminium?

martinn123

Ask if the PVC is recycled, and if so avoid. saw brown PVc recently fitted which has faded to almost white. Virgin PVC however will come with a warranty against fading, assuming the fitter is reliable and still around should a problem arise.

marvsins

Having fit pvc since '98 i'd go with Golden Oak if you have a choice. Its a veneer finish and doesn't fade like black/brown. It'll cost a bit more but well worth it. I put it on my own self-build 5 years ago and its still perfect.

danjo

Anybody know of any disadvantages of aluminum fascias and soffits?

What are the main advantages of UPVC?
Thanks

ronaldo84

the disadvantages of alu fascia and soffit are its very easy dent, near the sea salt water can cause corrosion of da alu paint. if not fitted right fascia can ripple if not put up straight, more joints cause only 12ft lenghts. soffit can rattle with wind if not nailed properly. not as authentic as uPVC although alu fascia can be got with a ogee mould.
the advantages of uPVC fascia and soffit are it overall apperance looks better, less joints, avaiaible in wide choice of colours including wood grains (oak ceder mahogany etc) more flexable so theres no ripples. soffit looks like T&G boards. i would reccomend freefoam plastics uPVC as theres a garentee it wont fade its also lead free. i would advise u get someone dat knows how to fit it as ive seen some **** ups from some lads that have done houses. joints should be kept to a minnimum soffit should be bent around corners e.g at the apex at the boxes and mitered at inside and out side corners with j trim or h trim. also make sure boxes are done right with fascia less joints as possible and mitered to the apex. uPVC is a little dearer than aluminium but nowadays black and white should be more or less the same. uPVC is thicker dan alu fascia so take this into consideration when fitting slate trim dat is if u are.

danjo

Thanks Ronaldo, very good information in your post.

danjo

jimmytom

currently tryin to choose between wood effect fascia and soffit - alu or pvc. i would appreciate it if anyone has any opinions since? thanks

ronaldo84

have u got samples yet? if u want my opinion go with the pvc looks better i would be careful of the manafacture of the pvc some cheap brands that will fade

NH2909

what about pvc's resistance to fire vs aluminium

sydthebeat

NH2909 wrote: »

what about pvc's resistance to fire vs aluminium

If flames are at your eaves then the damage is done already.

hexosan

NH2909 wrote: »

what about pvc's resistance to fire vs aluminium

Priceless; your house burns to the ground but at least you don't have the expense of replacing the gutters.

NH2909

it was the pvc fascia that caught fire in our house and carried it around the eve hence my question for the rebuild

sydthebeat

NH2909 wrote: »

it was the pvc fascia that caught fire in our house and carried it around the eve hence my question for the rebuild

well, without asking how that happened, both an aluminium and upvc facia will have a timber backing eaves board so if that catches fire it will spread.

but obvious pvc being oil based will burn a lot quicker and faster than aluminum being a metal.

NH2909

it burns slower along timber but it travels along pvc faster while burning it I am wondering if aluminium would slow this speed of travel down

sydthebeat

NH2909 wrote: »

it burns slower along timber but it travels along pvc faster while burning it I am wondering if aluminium would slow this speed of travel down

You seem pretty sure this will happen again. ... what is the ignition source?

Yes of course aluminum will slow the rate down. .. but so would a fire extinguisher.

hexosan

I think you've answered you own question if your that worried about fire go with the aluminum.