As experts in fascia board replacement in Surrey, we at All About Gutters are not solely interested in keeping our fellow residents dry. We are also interested in the history of Surrey’s architecture. Let us take you on a trip through time to see how a seemingly banal detail—the otherwise overlooked eaves and fascia that add detail to so many buildings—has progressed since when Surrey was founded—in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-nine. One hundred and forty-five years of interior and exterior house design tell a tale of changing technologies, of changing trends, and of changing priorities.
Function over Form: The Pioneer Days
Early settlers in Surrey had other things on their minds than style when those first eaves were nailed up in the late nineteenth century. Eaves at that time generally featured basic rafters with only the barest amount of overhang, and sometimes none at all. Fascia boards (the face board that wraps around the end of a rafter at the roof line) were typically just crudely pegged planks that shielded the end grains of the rafters from the elements. These early eaves met the needs of the moment, sharing materials and space suited to a time of scarcity and rapid build. While intricate designs were the privilege of the few (and so fascia board replacement in Surrey was, for that matter), the beginnings are apparent—the preservation of water and a covering for the home.
The Victorian Influence: Eaves as Ornamentation
With Surrey developing and prospering in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, its properties reflected the ornate Victorian styles that dominated throughout British Columbia as eaves took on ornamental significance. However, we can still trace decorative fascia boards with cut-out patterns and scrollwork from this era, not to mention perforated soffits with dainty designs that kept attics well-ventilated and enhanced the visual intrigue of the exterior. Among Surrey’s larger houses, the brackets and cornices under the projecting eaves were a means of displaying the carpenter’s artistry.
Mid-Century Modern: Sleek and Streamlined
Arguably the greatest architectural shift came with the post-war boom of the mid-nineteen-fifties and sixties, which brought the mid-century modern aesthetic to Surrey. Cleaner lines and the minimalist approach to details led to an attempt to redefine eaves and fascia boards, producing slim, unadorned fasciae and narrow eaves with a newfound emphasis on horizontality. New materials started to appear as well for fascia board replacement in Surrey. Wood made way for aluminum and vinyl, the latter two being both light and low on maintenance. If not as beautiful as their predecessor, they confirmed another key concern—families were getting busier, and an idyllic home required little care.
The Energy Crisis and Beyond: Form Follows Function
The energy crisis of the mid-nineteen-seventies transformed not only home design overall but also helped eaves and fasciae evolve radically. The deep-shaded overhang became a focal element in the quest for energy efficiency, if for no other reason than that, it kept the afternoon sun off the house. Now eaves have a functional purpose along with aesthetic appeal. Perhaps most dramatically, soffit vents became more sophisticated for the simple reason that proper attic ventilation significantly contributed to the energy consumption of the overall house. Gutters themselves were, too frequently, off to the side of the eave structure going in, but now they have been integrated, more aesthetically, into the form of the eave design. Call All About Gutters now for fascia board replacement in Surrey!
