Soffit Replacement in Toronto & the GTA

A healthy attic breathes. Cool outside air enters through vents in the soffit, flows up beneath the roof deck and exits through vents near the ridge. That airflow carries away heat in summer and moisture in winter. Without enough intake at the soffit, warm, moist air gets trapped in the attic.

In an Ontario winter, trapped warmth and moisture can lead to frost on the underside of the roof deck, damp insulation and mould. It also warms the roof surface, which contributes to snow melting and refreezing at the eaves as ice dams.

Aluminum soffit comes in perforated (vented) and solid panels. Perforated panels have small holes that allow airflow while keeping insects out, and are used wherever the soffit feeds into the attic. Solid panels are used where ventilation isn't needed or wanted, for example on porch ceilings or overhangs that don't connect to the attic.

The right mix depends on your roof design and existing exhaust vents. The goal is balanced ventilation: roughly as much intake at the soffit as exhaust at the top of the roof.

Many older GTA homes have painted plywood or wood soffit. Replacing it with aluminum eliminates painting and rot, improves ventilation and gives the eaves a clean, uniform finish.

New vented soffit only works if air can actually reach the attic. In many homes, insulation has been pushed or blown right up to the edge of the roof, blocking the path from the soffit. Ventilation baffles (also called rafter vents) hold insulation back and keep a clear channel open for air to flow. We check the intake path during replacement and let you know if baffles are needed.

A soffit replacement is usually completed alongside a fascia upgrade, since both form the finished roof edge.