Fascia, Soffit and Cladding Specialists in Chester.

Fascias and soffits in the Chester conservation area require more care than standard uPVC swap-out. Listed buildings within the inner ring are expected to retain painted timber detail where it is part of the historic character of the building, and a change to uPVC on a Grade II listed property needs listed-building consent even when it sits at eave level. We handle the consent process and can carry out high-performance timber treatment and paint systems as an alternative to uPVC on those properties. Out in Hoole and Newton, standard residential uPVC replacement is appropriate and we carry white, cream, and anthracite grey fascia profiles in 18mm and 25mm section to match the existing window surrounds. Conservation-area properties adjacent to but not within the listed designation can usually take uPVC under permitted development, and we advise on that line before quoting.

Fascias and soffits are the first things that visually date a house and the last things that get maintained. Timber boards that have never been painted since the 1980s go soft at the ends, paintwork cracks, and the space behind them becomes a nesting site and an entry point for moisture. By the time you see visible rot from the street, the board behind the guttering bracket has usually been wet for two seasons.

We strip and replace in low-maintenance uPVC across most of our residential work, or match existing timber profiles where the property is listed or in a conservation area. Cladding is less common but we fit both uPVC weatherboard and external-grade fibre cement board where requested.

What we run

Standard replacement fascia goes in as 18mm or 25mm cellular foam uPVC in white or anthracite grey, routed to the same profile as the original section. We fix to the rafter ends through the back of the board rather than through the face, which keeps the finish clean and prevents water tracking into the fixings.

Soffits go in as 9mm uPVC or 6mm plywood-backed vented soffit board depending on whether the eaves need through-ventilation for the loft. BS 5250 requires minimum free ventilation area at the eaves for a cold-deck roof; we check the existing ventilation before boarding over and upsize the vented section where required.

Where external cladding is part of the scope, we fit Cedral or Hardie Plank fibre cement board over a 25mm batten and breathable membrane system. Both are guaranteed to 15 years against rot, cracking and delamination. We do not fit solid vinyl cladding directly to masonry without a batten system, as trapped condensation eventually bleeds through the reveal reveals.

When to replace rather than repaint

If the timber is soft more than 5mm deep at the probe, it is past repainting. Flexible filler and a coat of Sandtex buys one season; it does not stop the underlying rot spreading. Replacement with uPVC is typically not much more expensive over a five-year horizon and it is maintenance-free after that.

What it costs

A full fascia, soffit and barge board replacement on a three-bedroom semi typically runs between £1,200 and £2,200 plus VAT. Detached houses with a more complex roofline run higher. Cladding is quoted per square metre: fibre cement board with batten system runs between £55 and £85 per square metre fitted.

What we back it with

All fascia and soffit replacement work carries a 10-year workmanship guarantee. uPVC cellular board carries a 10-year manufacturer guarantee and will not rot, blister, or need repainting. Cedral and Hardie Plank carry their own 15-year product guarantees.