[masraum]

Fascia usually looks like smooth cheap pine.

Is there any point in using cedar for it's additional resistance to rot and insects? Most cedar comes finished on one face which could be out, right?

Cement board (hardi or whatever) seems like another option, but it's often shaped to look like it's got a heavy wood grain texture which wouldn't go with the existing smooth pine.

Or should pine work fine as long as everything else is correct. IE, I've heard that the drip edge should not touch the fascia, but should instead have a small gap to direct water away from the fascia, but in our new place, there are spots where there is no gap.

Just working on planing our repairs.

We have some spots where the fascia is not in good shape. Usually it's small spots of just a few inches here and there. I'd like to make repairs and then get the roof replaced this fall.