Tongue and groove soffit project

[fobos8]

Hi all

Next week I'll be fitting some external T & G soffits for our roof. Its 15x95mm softwood which will be knotted, primed, and undercoated with Dulux Weatherseal 8-year on both sides.

My question is about how tight to make the T & G joint. If I push the tongue all the way into the groove and the timber shrinks across it width - no probs. However, if it expands it will buckle. Do I push it in then pull it out a bit? What is the standard practice for fitting this stuff. The soffit overhang is about 400mm in most areas although near the front door its about 1 metre.

I wasn't planning to put a groove in the facia board to soffit to go into. Instead I plan to stop them 3mm short of the facia to create shadow gap.

Fixing wise I plan to use a Paslode brad nails.

Kind regards, Andrew

P.S Don't be fooled by the adverts on TV saying Jersey is the warmest part of the UK. Its bloody freezing!!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Don't forget to leave no gap that's likely to open up to more than 5mm - or you're likely to end up with eaves full of bees.

 

[Graham Orm]

uPVC T&G effect soffit comes in up to 500mm widths. No painting, no shrinkage. http://www.fasciadivision.co.uk/soffits.php Nice gloss finish, easy and lightweight to fit.

Whichever you fit don't forget to ventilate it.

 

[hanser]

Andrew

Assuming your timber is acclimatised to the 'general' outdoor levels of humidity I don't think you'll have a problem with movement -just don't try to fit the sections too tight or too loose. You might however get a problem if you intend to use timber that comes from a B&Q shed where its been sat under a hot air blower for the last 3 months. If the latter unpack the timber and leave it in your garage/shed for a few days before you start the paint process.