Fascia

Fascia is the horizontal board that runs along the lower edge of the roof, behind the gutter. Gutters are usually mounted to the fascia, and it's the trim most damaged by overflowing gutters.

The fascia caps the ends of the roof rafters and gives the gutter a flat, sturdy surface to attach to. When gutters clog and overflow, water runs down behind them and saturates the fascia, leading to peeling paint, soft spots, and eventually wood rot that can spread to the roof structure. Rotted fascia is one of the most common signs that gutters have been failing for a while. Keeping gutters clear — or installing guards — protects the fascia and the costly repairs that follow when it goes.