Asphalt starter shingles go along the roof’s perimeter, beneath the first course of field shingles. They are typically installed at the eaves and, when required by the shingle manufacturer or local code, along the rake edges. Correct placement helps seal the roof’s exposed edges, supports the first shingle course, and reduces the chance of wind-driven rain or uplift getting beneath the shingles.
Where Starter Shingles Are Installed
A starter strip is a narrow row of asphalt material placed at the edge of a roof before the main shingles are installed. It is not a replacement for the first course. Instead, the first course of full-size shingles covers the starter strip, creating a sealed transition at the roof perimeter.
On a typical sloped roof, starter material is installed at the eaves—the lower edges where water runs off—and may also be installed at the rakes, the sloping edges at the roof’s gables. The exact layout depends on the roofing system, shingle manufacturer’s instructions, and local building requirements.
- Eaves: Starter shingles are commonly used along the lower roof edges, beneath the first field-shingle course.
- Rakes: Starter shingles may be required or recommended along sloped gable edges to help secure and seal the edge shingles.
- Ridges and hips: Standard starter shingles are not generally placed here. These areas use ridge-cap shingles or other components specified for the roofing system.
What Starter Shingles Do
Starter shingles help close gaps beneath the cutouts and joints of the first field-shingle course. Without a properly installed starter, parts of the roof edge may be more exposed to wind-driven rain, and the first row may have less resistance to wind uplift.
The starter’s adhesive strip is designed to bond with the underside of the first course when conditions allow. That bond helps hold the shingles in place near the roof perimeter, where wind can place greater stress on them. Starter material also gives the first course a consistent edge and helps keep exposed shingle joints from aligning with vulnerable gaps.
Starter shingles are only one part of an edge assembly. They do not replace drip edge, underlayment, flashing, or correctly placed roofing nails. A durable roof edge depends on those components working together.
How Starter Shingles Fit With Drip Edge and Underlayment
At an eave, the roof deck is generally covered by underlayment and then a metal drip edge, though the required sequence can vary with local code, roof details, and manufacturer instructions. Starter shingles are placed above the underlayment and over the edge area, with the field shingles installed over them. The drip edge directs water away from the roof deck and fascia; it does not take the place of the starter course.
At a rake, drip-edge placement can differ from the eave detail. Some standard installation sequences put rake drip edge over the underlayment, while eave drip edge may go beneath it. Because water-management details and code requirements vary, installers should follow the applicable instructions for the roof assembly rather than assume the same layering applies everywhere.
The starter strip should sit flat and be positioned so it does not interfere with water shedding at the metal edge. It should not be placed beneath the roof-deck underlayment or used as a substitute for an ice barrier where one is required.
Typical Placement at the Eaves
At the eave, the starter course runs parallel to the lower roof edge. Full-size shingles are installed above it as the first field-shingle course. The starter is usually positioned so its factory adhesive strip can bond to the first course, but the adhesive location and installation orientation vary among products.
- Prepare the roof edge. Confirm that the deck is sound, the required underlayment or ice barrier is installed, and the drip edge is correctly placed.
- Begin at the manufacturer-specified point. Starter rows are commonly laid from one end of the eave to the other. Follow the product instructions for end joints and corner details.
- Align the starter. Keep it straight and use the specified overhang beyond the roof edge. Many instructions call for a modest overhang, but the exact dimension depends on the roofing system and edge detail.
- Fasten it as directed. Use the specified nails and nailing area. The first field-shingle course will cover the starter, so fastener placement must follow the product’s instructions.
- Install the first field course. Position the shingles to cover the starter and create the manufacturer-specified edge exposure.
Overhang is important, but there is no single dimension appropriate for every roof. Too little can leave the deck or fascia vulnerable to runoff; too much can allow shingles to bend, break, or be more easily lifted by wind. Product instructions and the drip-edge design determine the correct projection.
Does Starter Shingle Go at the Rake?
It may. Many roofing systems use starter material at both the eaves and rakes, while some instructions focus on eave starter and specify a different rake-edge detail. A rake starter can help secure the outer edge shingles, but the exact requirement depends on the shingle product, roof design, and applicable code.
When starter is used at the rake, it is installed beneath the rake-edge field shingles. The first shingle course is positioned to cover it, and the shingle edges are aligned with the specified rake overhang. If the eave and rake meet at a corner, the installer must follow the manufacturer’s corner sequence so the materials overlap in a water-shedding manner.
Roofing instructions may call for a continuous starter strip at the rake, a particular orientation, or a specific way to overlap the eave starter. These details should not be improvised. A corner installed in the wrong sequence can leave an exposed gap or create a raised area under the shingles.
Starter Strip Versus the First Course of Shingles
The starter strip is the narrow material installed first at the perimeter. The first course is the row of full-size asphalt shingles installed above it. The terms are sometimes confused because both form rows along the bottom of a roof, but they serve different purposes.
| Roofing component | Typical location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Starter shingles | At the eaves and, when specified, rakes | Help seal and secure the roof’s perimeter beneath the first field course |
| First field-shingle course | Immediately above the starter at the eaves | Begins the main shingle covering and sheds water over lower courses |
| Drip edge | Along eaves and rakes | Directs water away from the roof edge and helps protect the deck and fascia |
| Ridge-cap shingles | At hips and ridges | Cover and protect the roof’s upper joints |
Some manufacturers sell purpose-made starter shingles. Other systems permit field shingles to be cut and used as starter material, but only if the product instructions allow it. A purpose-made starter typically has a consistent shape and adhesive placement, which can make installation more predictable.
Adhesive Strip Direction and Nailing
There is no universal rule that the adhesive strip must face the same direction on every brand of starter shingle. Some products have a clearly marked adhesive band and a specified orientation; other products are designed to be reversed or installed in a particular way at eaves or rakes. The first course must land on the starter’s intended sealant area so the materials bond as designed.
Installers should check the packaging and the manufacturer’s current application instructions before laying the first strip. A starter placed upside down or with its sealant in the wrong position may not bond effectively to the first course. Relying on a general diagram from another brand can lead to incorrect placement.
Nailing also varies by product and roof conditions. Nails should be the type, length, quantity, and location specified by the manufacturer and code. They must penetrate the roof deck adequately, and they should not be placed where they will remain exposed to weather. Starter shingles are not secured by adhesive alone.
Common Starter-Shingle Installation Mistakes
- Skipping the starter: This can leave the first course without the intended sealed backing at the roof edge.
- Putting it above the first course: The starter belongs beneath the first field-shingle row, not on top of it.
- Using the wrong orientation: The sealant must be positioned as the product instructions specify.
- Leaving gaps or misaligned joints: Poor alignment can create weak points along the perimeter.
- Using the wrong overhang: Edge projection should match the roofing and drip-edge instructions.
- Improper nailing: Nails placed outside the approved nailing area or driven incorrectly can reduce holding strength or damage the shingles.
- Assuming every roof edge is identical: Eaves, rakes, valleys, and roof-wall transitions require different details and materials.
Code, Climate, and Manufacturer Requirements
Building codes and adopted standards can affect roof-edge installation, including requirements for drip edge, underlayment, and ice barriers. The International Residential Code is adopted and amended by jurisdictions, so the applicable rules depend on the property’s location and the permit requirements. Local authorities may also require details beyond a general installation guide.
In colder regions, an ice barrier may be required at eaves to help protect against water backup caused by ice dams. That membrane is separate from starter shingles. In high-wind areas, the roofing manufacturer may specify additional fastening or sealing requirements, including special treatment at eaves and rakes.
For a reliable installation, the roofer should use the current instructions for the exact shingle and starter products, follow local code, and coordinate the starter with the underlayment and drip-edge details. Product warranties may also depend on installation that follows the manufacturer’s requirements.
How to Check Whether Starter Shingles Are in the Right Place
From the roof edge, the starter strip itself is usually hidden beneath the first course, so a finished roof does not always reveal whether it was installed correctly. During installation, it should be visible as a continuous, straight layer along the eave and any rake where the system calls for it.
A homeowner reviewing an installation can ask the contractor which starter product is being used, whether the manufacturer calls for it at the rakes, and how the drip edge and underlayment are layered. The contractor should be able to identify the applicable installation instructions and explain the specified overhang and fastening pattern.
Because roof work involves fall hazards and specialized installation details, inspection or repair is best handled by a qualified roofing professional. A visual check from the ground cannot confirm adhesive placement, nail location, or the condition of layers hidden beneath the shingles.
Reliable References for Roof-Edge Details
Installation details should be verified against the documents for the specific roofing system. Helpful references include the shingle manufacturer’s application instructions, local building department requirements, and the current edition of the International Residential Code as adopted by the jurisdiction. Manufacturers such as GAF, Owens Corning, and IKO publish product-specific roofing guidance.
In short, asphalt starter shingles go beneath the first field-shingle course along the eaves and, when specified, along the rakes. Their position, adhesive orientation, overhang, and fastening details should match the exact product instructions and local requirements.