The soffit is the underside surface of a roof's eave overhang, typically ventilated to allow fresh air intake into the attic.
The soffit is the finished underside of the roof overhang, visible when standing under the eave and looking up. Vented soffit panels (with small perforations or louvers) allow fresh outside air to enter the attic space, which is the intake half of a balanced attic ventilation system — the ridge vent or other exhaust vents provide the other half.
Soffit vents provide the intake airflow that makes ridge or other exhaust ventilation actually work — blocked or inadequate soffit venting is a common reason attic ventilation underperforms even with a good ridge vent installed.
Get matched with licensed contractors near you.