Many fascia, soffit and guttering experts believe that uPVC is the best material you can choose when replacing your current guttering system. uPVC, or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, is used widely within the construction industry for things such as windows, conservatory roofs and cladding, and over time it has become one of the most popular materials used for fascias, soffits and guttering.
This is because of the many benefits that uPVC has compared to more traditional materials such as copper and stainless steel. Here are our top 5 reasons why uPVC is the best material you can use for fascias, soffits and guttering.
Budget-friendly
Perhaps uPVC’s biggest advantage, especially during a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing, is its cost per metre compared to other materials. A metre of uPVC guttering normally costs approximately £30 per metre. The likes of steel and copper normally cost more on average, while also having a much lower lifespan than uPVC. This is especially helpful if you intend on remaining in your home for a substantial length of time. Having your home’s fascia, soffit and gutter made from uPVC effectively futureproofs it. uPVC is by far the best value material on the market.
Also, due to the material being extremely lightweight, it takes less time to install uPVC fascias, soffits and guttering compared to alternative materials. Therefore it will take you or a local expert from My Local Toolbox a shorter amount of time to complete the installation than it otherwise would – saving you money in labour costs.
Curb appeal
Due to the flexibility of uPVC, local experts can tailor the material to your exact specifications, considering your tastes in colour, style, and size. Most homeowners decide on white or off-white as the perfect colour for their fascia, soffit, and gutter, but with uPVC it’s possible to have them in almost any colour.
Also, as uPVC doesn’t need to be painted to get the perfect colour for your home, it eliminates the risk of flaking. This prevents the possibility of having to spend time and money correcting the problem at a future date.
Having a well-suited fascia, soffit and gutter installed at your home can not only improve its appearance but add value to your home, should you decide to move house. In extreme circumstances, it can even prevent the sale of your home from falling through should the guttering be deemed unsafe.
Durability
uPVC is one of the most durable fascia, soffit, and guttering materials available on the market. Due to the nature of the material, it’s extremely resistant to wear and tear. For example, uPVC won’t rust throughout its lifespan like other materials such as copper and cast iron. This helps prevent unexpected and costly repair bills as rust can lead to further issues such as water ingress to occur. If this happens, the seams between each part of the gutter can also become compromised which could mean debris falling onto your garden.
The strength of uPVC means that it’s resilient against even the harshest of UK weather conditions such as thunderstorms, torrential rain, and heavy snow. uPVC doesn’t rot, so you can rest safe in the knowledge that your home will always be well protected from the elements if your uPVC fascia, soffit and gutter been installed correctly and is in good condition.
Flexibility
As you might expect, especially living in the UK, your fascia, soffit, and gutter can take a beating from the weather over its lifespan. One of the results of this is debris such as leaves, twigs, and branches making its way into the guttering. If there’s a build-up of debris, systems made from particular materials struggle to carry the extra weight, with aluminium being the worst offender.
However, due to the flexibility of uPVC, it can absorb substantial weight before hitting the limit. This prevents seams from splitting and leakages from occurring. It also means that once the debris is removed, the gutters won’t be shaped and distorted – they’ll simply revert to their original shape. This once again saves money on costly repairs and makes uPVC the perfect material for your fascia, soffit and gutter no matter what kind of climate you live in.
Low maintenance
Soffits, fascias and guttering made from uPVC require less maintenance than those made from other materials. For example, materials such as copper and cast iron require a protective treatment to prevent them from being damaged by heavy rain and snow. The nature of uPVC means that no protective treatment is necessary, which in turn leads to a lesser installation cost compared to other materials.
Of course, it’s still wise to clean your gutters twice per year, especially if there are obvious signs of debris stuck in the guttering. This is necessary no matter which material you decide to use for your soffit, fascia, and guttering. However, if damage does happen to occur, and your uPVC fascia, soffit or guttering needs to be repaired, it should be a relatively low-cost job. Compared to other materials, uPVC systems are relatively simple and easy to install.
If you have any more questions, head on over to our fascias, soffits and guttering topic hub where you’ll find articles on everything you need to consider when planning a fascia and soffit replacement as well as a fascias, soffits and guttering cost guide.
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