What wood for fascia?

[Adman101]

Been waiting for a nice sunny to paint the fascia and replace the guttering on the front of the house. I could see some of the paint was peeling so thought I'd crack on - might take me an evening or two...

Anyway got the first section of guttering off and the top of the wood fascia board was rotting where it met with the tile. It obviously needs replacing but was wandering what type of wood to use. I have bought wood in the past and it has been nasty cheap rubbish with knots all over it which leaks resin. What type of wood is best to use for fascia. The dims are 145mm x 21mm. Is this 6"x1"?

Was thinking of painting it on the ground then installing it - any issue with this?

Thanks in advance

Ad

 

[Burnerman]

You'll get a better quality softwood at a timber yard rather than the sheds, and painting the timber before installation is a sound idea.
Your sizes are 6 x 1 dressed.
My soffits are large (9") and I've used WBP ply (18mm) for mine.....it was protected well from the start and is still fine 20 years on.
John

 

[Adman101]

Thanks for your prompt reply. is there a particular softwood that i should go for?

Cheers

 

[Burnerman]

There are many varieties, and naturally prices.....!
Personally I'd go for a Scandinavian or European Redwood - it can have a good few knots but if its well treated then its very durable.
In my long gone joinery days, the scandinavian timbers were marked with either a crown (best) or star (2nd) red mark....I really don't know if this still applies in these days of quick dried rubbish that we call timber.
John

 

[Adman101]

Thats great. I'll go for one of those then. you say it needs to be treated, can i paint directly on to freshly treated wood?

Cheers

 

[Burnerman]

Sure - when I said treated, that would definitely include a quality knotting coat and primer.
John

 

[^woody^]

Don't buy treated timber (ie external grade) as the treatment will leech through the paint and flake it off

Buy normal planed timber and prep and paint it first

If the top section of fascia is rotten, then you probably have a roof problem that should be sorted out - rotten eaves felt?

 

[Adman101]

Thanks

The rot is not wet, it dry.I don't know much about rot, but if it dry would that still be down to roof problem. The house is old -1820s. It has clay tiles with no felt, just slates running the length. Is this a likely cause?

Cheers