The soffit performs two main functions at the same time- to provide ventilation of the attic space and to give the facade a beautiful and finished look. Ventilation of the attic space is necessary to increase the service life of the roof and against moisture and mould.
Soffits made of vinyl are panels that are mounted on wooden or metal profiles under the soffit and are interconnected using a locking edge. Thanks to this, the panels are easy to install, fitting tightly together with the fixing screws remaining hidden.
Soffits are similar in shape to paneling, but are made of the same polymer as vinyl siding. The main difference of vinyl soffits from other decorative panels used to clad eaves is that there is a perforated version, which allows for better air circulation. Thanks to the ventilation, attic spaces do not suffer from moisture and mold.
PERFORATED SOFFIT: Perforated soffits are used for cladding the protruding parts of the facades: eaves, cornices, gables, visors, etc. They are also ideal for lining the ceiling of the veranda, or the gazebo in the garden or the barbecue shed. Due to air circulation in the open space, for many years the surface will look good and will not need repair.
SOLID (RIGID) SOFFIT: Non-perforated soffits are also used to line the ceilings of interior rooms. The advantages of using vinyl soffit in construction are mechanical strength, resistance to impact and injury, and also to environmental influences. Vinyl soffits do not burn, do not change color in direct sunlight, do not absorb moisture, and the building looks like new for a long time. They are versatile and can be used for cladding eaves, terraces and loft space as well as for cladding ceilings inside rooms. Thanks to a wide range of colours, they can be combined with all types of finishing materials, giving freedom to the imagination.
The panels and finishes are fully waterproof. The products are made of fully recyclable thermoplastics.Recycled materials are used in the production. Depending on the product, the weight of recyclable materials is up to 80% of the total. The products are extremely durable. Their lifetime is from 10 even up to 50 years. With resistance to various external factors, their impact on the environment is significantly less than products that require more frequent replacement, causing an additional burden in terms of raw materials, materials, energy and waste generation. There is no need for maintenance throughout their lifetime and no additional chemicals (paints, preservatives, etc.) are needed, without harm to the environment. The cladding ensures adequate ventilation of the façade and protects it against moisture. Compared to other ventilated facades, these linings improve the heating efficiency of the building and reduce fuel consumption for heating
The products are safe for health. They do not contain harmful substances (lead or cadmium) and do not emit volatile organic compounds. The plastics contain mineral fillers and additives derived from renewable sources and raw materials, reducing the carbon footprint by up to 40% compared to products made from synthetic polymers alone.
They are easy to maintain and do not require painting or varnishing. To restore their original appearance, it is sufficient to wash them occasionally with water and detergent.
They are biologically stable and unlike wood cladding materials, vinyl soffit does not mildew or become affected by fungi.
Installation can be done at any time of the year, quickly,conveniently and easily.
Soffits made of vinyl are non-flammable and non-toxic, they can be used in buildings with special requirements for fire safety and resistance to aggressive environments (gas stations, service stations, hospitals).
Their lightness is a serious advantage when renovating old buildings with a structure that cannot bear additional weight, which cannot be avoided when using traditional materials.
Storage and installation
The profiles must be stored indoors on a dry, flat and stable surface, so that there is no direct contact with the ground, in a horizontal position, at a temperature not exceeding 60°C, without exposure to direct sunlight, so that they have a fulcrum along their entire length. There must be no more than 10-12 packages stacked on top of each other in the pile.
The profiles must be transported in a horizontal position, at a temperature not exceeding 60°C.
Before installation, unpack the product and compare the colours. Minimal shade differences are acceptable.
Use conventional carpentry tools for cutting or drilling the profiles. Small-toothed saws should be used; mechanical tools for machining should be used at the same or higher speeds as for woodworking.
The natural and inalienable feature of PVC material is dimensional change under the influence of different temperatures. Profiles can change their length in fractions of 1 m by 0,7 mm with every 10°C temperature difference.
The profiles should be installed at ambient temperatures between 5°C and 30°C. Prior to installation, the profiles should be seasoned for 2-3 hours at the installation site so that the profile has the opportunity to equalize the temperature with the ambient temperature.
When fitting panels, never screw the screws all the way in, i.e. so that the head directly touches the panel surface - this can limit the possibility of expansion/contraction of the profile. Keep a small distance between the panel surface and the bottom
surface of the screw head so that the panel can be moved horizontally after it is screwed to the battens.The panels and sills may be cleaned occasionally with a domestic detergent solution at a temperature not exceeding 40°C. Do not use solvents or similar aggressive
and corrosive liquids. Rinse with clean water after washing.
FOLLOW INSTALLATION STEPS AND INSTRUCTIONS:Mounting on support structure.
Mounting on a sill SV(P)-15 / SV(P)-15,5.Installation of the panels.Caution! It is necessary to observe expansion gaps.
The screw is screwed into the middle of the mounting hole.
We mount the panels with and without ventilation alternately in order to observe proper ventilation of the roof surface.
Installation of panels with concealed ventilation.
Panels with colours: golden oak, walnut and white can be installed in locations exposed to direct sunlight up to 1 m in length.
Lighting.
If using halogen light, be sure to leave ventilation space min. 120 mm. under the roof, above the light source. Does not apply to LED lighting.