What's underneath the soffit?

Underneath the soffit is the structure that forms the underside of the roof overhang, including rafter tails, subfascia, and attic ventilation components that are critical to roof health. The soffit itself is the finished material you see from below, typically vinyl, aluminum, or wood, that encloses the eave. Above the soffit panel is the rafter tails or truss ends that extend beyond the exterior wall to create the overhang, and the subfascia or fascia board that runs along the ends of rafters and to which gutters are attached. Between rafters, there may be blocking or soffit framing that supports soffit panels. Crucially, underneath the soffit area is the attic space, and in a properly ventilated attic, there is an air channel from soffit vents that allows outside air to enter attic and flow up to ridge vents, keeping attic cool and preventing ice dams and moisture. Insulation is in attic floor, and baffles are often installed at eaves to keep insulation from blocking soffit vents. Wiring for exterior lights may run through soffit area. If soffit is damaged or rotted, water can enter and damage rafter tails and fascia, leading to gutter failure. Understanding what's underneath helps when repairing rotted soffit, as you need to inspect rafter tails for rot and ensure ventilation is maintained when replacing soffit panels to prevent moisture problems.