Starter Strip
A pre-cut shingle strip or roll product installed along the eave and rake edges before the first course of field shingles, providing an adhesive seal and water barrier at the most wind-vulnerable area of the roof.
Specifications
| Format | Pre-cut strips or rolls, typically 7 to 9 inches wide |
| Adhesive | Factory-applied sealant strip that bonds to the first course of field shingles |
| Installation | Overhang eave and rake edge by 1/4 to 3/4 inch |
| Fastening | Nailed approximately 3 to 4 inches from the eave edge |
Common issues
- Starter strip omitted entirely, leaving the first course of shingles without an adhesive seal at the eave
- Using a flipped field shingle as a starter instead of a purpose-built product, resulting in misaligned adhesive positioning
- Starter not installed at the rake edge on gable roofs, leaving the first shingle column vulnerable to wind uplift
- Starter strip not overhanging the drip edge by the correct amount, either too much (creating a wind-catch lip) or not enough (leaving the drip edge exposed)
Insurance relevance
Starter strip failure is one of the primary causes of shingle blow-off at the eave during windstorms. When the first course lifts, it often takes successive courses with it in a zipper effect. Adjusters evaluating wind damage at the eave should check whether a starter strip was present and whether it was a purpose-built product or an improvised substitute. Missing or improperly installed starter strip is an installation defect that may affect how the claim is classified. Starter strip is a separate line item in Xactimate, measured by linear foot along the eave and rake edges.
What Is a Starter Strip
A starter strip is a purpose-built shingle product installed along the eave and rake edges of a roof before the first course of field shingles is laid. It serves two functions. First, it provides a factory-applied adhesive sealant strip that bonds to the underside of the first course of field shingles, sealing the leading edge against wind uplift. Second, it creates a continuous backing layer behind the cutouts or gaps in the first shingle course, ensuring that no water can reach the deck through the joint lines of the first row. Starter strips are available as pre-cut strips (typically 7 to 9 inches wide) or as rolls that are cut to length on the jobsite. Major manufacturers including GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning produce starter strip products designed to pair with their respective shingle lines.
Why the Starter Strip Matters
The eave edge of a roof is the most wind-vulnerable area. Wind striking the face of a building creates uplift pressure at the eave as it flows over the roof edge. The first course of shingles bears the highest wind load of any shingle on the roof. Without a starter strip, the bottom edge of the first course has no adhesive bond holding it down. Wind catches the unsecured edge, lifts the first course, and the resulting failure often cascades up the roof in a zipper pattern as each successive shingle course loses its seal. The starter strip's adhesive creates the critical first bond that resists this initial lift. This is why shingle wind warranty ratings assume a properly installed starter strip is present.
Installation Best Practices
The starter strip is installed directly on top of the underlayment and drip edge along the eave. It should overhang the drip edge by 1/4 to 3/4 inch so that water dripping off the starter falls into the gutter rather than running back under the edge. Nails are placed approximately 3 to 4 inches from the eave edge, positioned so they will be covered by the first course of field shingles. At the rake (gable edge), the starter strip runs vertically along the edge, again overhanging the drip edge slightly. At the corners where the eave starter and rake starter meet, the pieces should overlap. The adhesive strip must face outward (toward the field of the roof) so it contacts the underside of the first field shingle course. The old method of flipping a 3-tab shingle as a starter is being replaced by purpose-built products that position the adhesive strip more precisely.
Starter Strip and Insurance Claims
When wind damage occurs at the eave, the presence and condition of the starter strip is a key diagnostic detail. If the first course of shingles blew off and there is no starter strip residue on the deck, the installation was deficient. If a starter strip was present but its adhesive failed, the age and condition of the product are relevant. Purpose-built starter strips provide a stronger and more consistent bond than improvised field-shingle starters. In Xactimate, starter strip is a separate line item measured by linear foot along the eave and rake edges. It is not included in the field shingle line item. Contractors should measure and include starter strip in every roof replacement estimate, and adjusters should verify it is scoped as a distinct item to avoid under-counting the replacement scope.
Frequently asked questions
A starter strip is a row of shingle material installed at the eave and rake edges before the first course of full shingles. Its primary purpose is to provide a factory-applied adhesive strip that seals the leading edges of the first course of field shingles. Without it, the bottom edge of the first shingle course has no adhesive bond to resist wind uplift. The starter also fills in the gaps between shingle tabs on the first course so there is no exposed area where water could reach the deck.
The traditional method was to flip a standard 3-tab shingle upside down (tabs facing up the roof) as a starter. This works but has drawbacks. The adhesive strip may not align correctly with the first course, the shingle dimensions may not match modern starter strip specs, and many shingle manufacturers now require their specific starter strip product for full warranty coverage. Purpose-built starter strips have the adhesive positioned precisely where it needs to contact the first field shingle course.
Yes. Most shingle manufacturers now require starter strip along both the eave and the rake (gable edge). At the rake, the starter strip provides an adhesive seal for the edge of the first shingle column, preventing wind from lifting the shingle at the exposed gable side. Rake installation became a more common requirement after research showed that wind damage frequently initiates at the gable edge, particularly on homes in high-wind zones. Check the specific manufacturer's installation instructions for their rake starter requirements.
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