A Soffit protects the exposed overhang area on a home's eaves to keep weather elements and pests out of the area. It prevents infestations in the attic and damage to the rafters. The soffit also serves an aesthetic purpose by giving the eaves a finished look.

​

The horizontal "Fascia board" which caps the end of rafters outside a building may be used to hold the rain gutter. The finished surface below the fascia and rafters is called the soffit or eave.