Roof Barge Boards & Fascias - Plastic or wood??

[Richard10002]

I have a 4 storey house where the barge boards etc. on the side gable apex are rotten in places, so need replacing. It's being done in association with the rebuilding of the apex, which is leaning inwards slightly, so it seems sensible to use the builder to replace the barge boards etc., rather than a separate roofer.

The builder has quoted for wooden boards, undercoated and painted, but I have asked if he can fit plastic/upvc to avoid the possibility of rot, and the need to paint again in 5 or ten years.

He says upvc wont look right, or sit right, and that done correctly, wood should last at least ten years before needing any attention. Given the cost of the scaffolding, I dont want to be doing it again any sooner than is absolutely necessary.

At 45 ft up, on the side of the house, I'm not too concerned with looks... I'm more concerned with minimising the chance of rot, leaks, and the need to repaint, or anything, for as long as possible.

Assuming there is nothing intrinsically wrong with upvc, any suggestions for a particular type, shape, brand, that I could ask/insist the builder use, with as little chance as possible of him being able to say, "I told you so!".

Many Thanks

Richard

 

[charles_reed]

When I had my house done, in 1990 I was faced with the same dilemma. Plastic even µPVC does suffer from degradation, and modern pressure-treated, tanalised timber will resist rot for more than 25 years (or mine has).
I'd have no hesitation in recommending timber, which will be more likely to rot in shaded aspects than where they get sun.
A lot has to do with the paint system. Using modern water-based paints the coatinglife is only about 5 years - more expensive (and non DIY) paints last x5 as long.

 

[sailorman]

Use protimised timber & paint ot stain it
you cant paint over Tanalised tmber

 

[Davy_S]

Replace with plastic, fit and forget, modern plastics are uv resistant, the old upvc window frames were affected with uv, they have sorted the problem now with modern plastics, its a no brainer IMHO.

 

[GrahamM376]

I used to supply the building trade with plastic extrusions for just this job. Since newer stabilisers used, much less degradation of PVCu and have had our house done with it. There are two thicknesses used mainly (can't remember the sizes off hand) the thinner is used for fixing on top of existing fascia or barge boards but best to remove the timber and use the thicker section.

 

[chrishscorp]

25 years in the trade, UPVC, 45 foot up !!! it will need painting every 3 to 4 years or the wood will deteriorate and if you sold the place what would a buyer prefer ?

 

[Richard10002]

Convinced the builder to use UPVC. Two thicknesses, as mentioned above, very solid, and looks fine and neat. Can't see it deteriorating ever