What is a Bargeboard on a Building?

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Bargeboards are a board that juts out from the side of the roof of a building site (resembling roof tiles) for soffit implementation.

A bargeboard is used to protect the edge of the roofline from rain and wind. Gable boards are a type of bargeboard (used in roofing). They need fewer repairs or need for replacing. However, when it demands repairs, it can alternatively be replaced by roofing team or else the team can also carry out repairs. The repairs by the team won't be costly either. The point of the board, sometimes called a spur, is to deflect water away from the building. It also stops rainwater from falling onto the wall of the building below it and protect against windblown rain coming up under the roof edge. Bargeboards are often elaborately carved and decorated in many different architectural styles such as Gothic, Tudor or Victorian architecture.

What is the difference between a fascia and a bargeboard?

A bargeboard is a decorative wooden cresting that hangs from the edges of a roofline (or rafters) and fascia boards are an A-shaped vertical trim board that protects the soffit on the outside of buildings (used in roofing) that resemble soffits. It can be replaced by an expert team if there's a need to replace these boards. The need to replace occurs in case of leaks of break down. Soffits help improve the ventilation of air. There was a time when the fascia, bargeboard and soffits were used interchangeably and there was no need for a distinction to make soffits designs.

Fascia boards are usually thin boards made from high-quality materials like wood, fibreglass, etc. The fascia boards are installed between the roofline to conceal the horizontal roofing boards and the exposed materials of the roof. The colours of the fascia boards usually match with that of the exterior siding on a house property. Various options of colours are available to match the aesthetics of your home.

A bargeboard is usually thicker than the fascia boards and it may be capped with decorative finial patterns to enhance its aesthetics and quality appearance. It can have any design features carved into it but most designs are inspired by Gothic architecture of England. Bargeboards are attached directly to structural building support rather than being held up by trim boards as fascias would be. Bargeboards often create an overhang for protection or decoration purposes along the roof edge, gables or other roofline projections.

Bargeboards are also called verge boards, kerb, ridge boards, springing lintel or 'weather-wing' by stonemasons. It is a piece of decorative roof timbers along the lower edge of a roofline that hangs down as a vertical row below the roof edge. This roof decoration can be sloping or horizontal depending on where it's being placed on the building roofing. The purpose of the decorative boards is to keep rainwater flowing away from the house walls of any property site, particularly on the gable end.

Originally, it was made of oak because of the three features- it was a strong, durable and best material that could give protection from inclement weather. It could also be carved with pretty detailing and curlicues along its length which would help divert rainwater away from the exterior wall by creating channels for water to flow through into covered gutters. Hence gutter or guttering isn't affected. The guttering won't need additional cover or a need to replace the existing cover.

Do bargeboards need roof plumbing?

It is not necessary for barge boards to have roofline/roofing plumbing jobs. In fact, the most company don't prefer this roofing job because the extra expense would outweigh any efficient benefits provided by it. That being said, if your home has a gutter, the water from the rain from the roofing will drain off the roof tiles (roofing tiles) through those gutters and won't flow over bargeboards directly into a wall or foundation of a building roof. This can be helpful in areas prone to heavy downpours as well as areas with high levels of humidity which lead to mould formation on roof surfaces that collect water.

Because of these factors, some property owners choose to attach a small section of gutter behind the decorative boards. Guttering not only provides an additional water-diverting system but gutters also have a significant impact in enhancing rainwater drainage in areas that receive heavy amounts of rainfall by creating more openings for water to carry through the gutters, even if using gutter guards, rather than over the bargeboards onto a wall surface which might cause potential damage in time.

How much do bargeboards cost in Australia?

Bargeboards can vary in price depending on the type and quality of construction materials being used, the style and design is manufactured, and whether it's a one-piece or two-piece board. There are several types of bargeboards that can be purchased. These include traditional wood ones made from oak, metal versions which could be either painted (with anti-rust paint) or galvanised to prevent rusting, PVC which are affordable but won't last as long as wooden or metal ones, and fibreglass versions which mimic the look of real wood perfectly but tend to be more expensive than plastic models. For basic bargeboards most people can expect to pay around $20 to $30 per length but some models have been known to cost as much as $300. On average, a two-piece bargeboard made from wood will cost between $60 and $100 per length while metal ones can be bought for around the same price. A fibreglass one can be found for about $110 per length and there are plastics that look like wood that requires no maintenance job that retails for less.

What is a bullnose fascia board?

Bullnose fascia boards are a special type of barge board used to add extra decorative elements to the top edge of a house roof. Fascias resemble a small version of the curved eaves found at the bottom row(in roof tiling) of traditional English-style homes and it's easy to see how fascia got its name. The curved shape of the fascia allows rainwater to slide off more easily and adds visual interest and beauty to the house roof. Bullnose fascia boards usually come in lengths between 2 metres and 4 metres and fascia can be made from any materials such as timber, metal or plastic. Fascias are not designed for use on roofs that have gutters or flashing installed because water will flow off into those instead. There are various types of fascia boards.

Can I install new bargeboards myself?

Most bargeboards or fascias can be installed without the help of a professional since they are designed to be simple to attach. Many models will come with their own fastening hardware so they can be attached for protection to the house roof in no time. However, before trying this you should check what's involved with installing your particular model and make sure that it is compatible with your roofline. It is possible that new flashing or brackets may need to be installed before attaching bargeboards or fascias which would require a professional if you wanted them done neatly and correctly.

Do I need planning permission for bargeboards?

For most types of exterior cladding including bargeboards or fascias, efficient planning and permission aren't necessary since they are not considered permanent additions to the house roofing. However, some evolved styles might be more intrusive or bulky than others so it's worth asking your town hall for guidance before installing them. Often times bargeboards or fascias that include roof plumbing jobs don't need any additional permits even if you're redesigning a property with a pitched roof. For more information on permits and applications, take a look at this handy guide from the Victorian State Government, however check if similar applies to your area.