The soffit is commonly found in homes that have their roofs past the exterior wall, essentially covering the gap between the roof edge and the top part of the siding. The word itself originates from the French term that translates to “formed as a ceiling” and the Latin term for “to fix underneath”. As one of the many crucial components in a well-built roofing system, they’re traditionally made from wood but are available in different materials depending on the homeowner’s preference.