Soffit
Soffit is the material covering the underside of the roof overhang (eave), providing ventilation to the attic and protecting rafters from weather exposure.
Proper soffit ventilation is critical in Texas heat — without it, attic temperatures can exceed 150°F, degrading shingles from below and increasing cooling costs by 20-30%. Vented soffit panels allow outside air to enter the attic and exit through ridge vents, creating passive cooling. JRH Construction installs vented aluminum and vinyl soffit systems during roof replacements across DFW.
Related Roofing Terms
Fascia
Fascia is the vertical finishing board mounted along the lower edge of the roof, covering the ends of the roof rafters and providing a mounting surface for gutters.
Attic Ventilation
Attic ventilation is a system of intake vents (soffit/eave) and exhaust vents (ridge/turbine/power) that circulates air through the attic space to regulate temperature and moisture.
Eave
The eave is the lower edge of a roof that overhangs the exterior wall, providing shade and directing water away from the building foundation.