New soffits and fascias in Chigwell, Essex

Installation Gallery

Cut corners don’t stay hidden for long

Cutting corners is never a good idea in the building trade — as in any other business — and Summit Cladding has had to offer solutions for quite a few examples of cut corners over the years.

Take this pleasant little bungalow in Chigwell, Essex, for example, where a new owner had decided on a facelift for a smarter appearance. All looked well from the outside, but once we took a closer look at the original woodwork, we could see the problem.

New uPVC soffits and fascias

The timber fascias and soffits were constructed of thin plywood and the layers had started to delaminate. Once this happens the wood cannot be repaired and must be replaced. The original builders should have used thicker, but more expensive, marine ply, but their failure to use the correct material was good for us as we had a much better idea.

All the existing wooden fascias and soffits were stripped off and replaced with maintenance-free uPVC in the colours white and black ash for a smart new look.

James Hardie composite cladding

Our client also wanted to cover the external brickwork and had originally toyed with the idea of render. Fortunately for us – and for him we think – he opted for James Hardie composite cladding in soft green, one of over 40 colours in their range.

The cladding was fixed onto treated timber battens and included a breathable ventilation system, and our client decided he liked the new colour so much he intends to have his front door sprayed to match it.

The bungalow’s appearance has been completely transformed and the owner now has peace of mind knowing that all the new soffits, fascias and cladding are maintenance-free and guaranteed for 10 years.

Categorised in: James Hardie Cladding, Soffits & Fascias

This post was written by Summit Cladding