At the roof’s rake edges, the starter doesn’t necessarily perform that joint-covering function it performs at the eave, but it is integral in the roof’s overall wind resistance. At the rake, the sealant strip will be positioned at the outer roof edge and once warmed by the sun, it will help seal the rake ends of all the finish roof shingles.
You do need to use a starter course with architectural shingles. The starter edge will help seal the edges and cover your shingle joints. As it won’t be visible on the finished roof, you don’t need to worry about the look of your starter strip and whether it matches your architectural shingles.
As well, starter shingles have a sealant strip, and, when positioned correctly, the sealant strip will be on the top surface and at the lowest edge of the roof. At the roof’s rake edges, the starter doesn’t necessarily perform that joint-covering function it performs at the eave, but it is integral in the roof’s overall wind resistance.
IKO’s starter shingle product, Leading Edge Plus, offers the latest evolution in roof starter strips. Professional contractors who make the smart decision to use them will find they save time, are easy to install and are consistently sized.
Every roof has to start somewhere, and that somewhere is at the appropriately named starter shingle (also called starter strip). Starter shingles are the initial shingle products installed on the roof, just before the first course of the finish shingles, which will comprise the visible parts of the roof.
0:346:00How to Install Starter Shingles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSome contractors will opt out of using actual starter shingles and they will use a three top shingleMoreSome contractors will opt out of using actual starter shingles and they will use a three top shingle or even their architectural shingles that they're installing on your roof.
Starter shingle should be installed around ALL edges of your roof. To meet code, technically it only needs to be installed on the bottom eaves, but there are some big benefits to installing it up the rake edges as well (also known as gable edges).
First, determine how much the starter course will overhang the drip-edge: 1⁄4 in. to 3⁄4 in. overhang is typical, but some roofers allow as much as 1 in. if eave or rake boards are bowed. Along the eave, extend your tape measure past the drip-edge the amount of the overhang.
The starter strip is crucial because it adheres to the shingles on the edges of your roof and protects them from the elements. Without starter strip shingles, a gust of wind would have no trouble sneaking under the shingles on the edges of your roof and blowing them up, and perhaps even off, your roof.
1:006:32HOW TO INSTALL THE STARTER SHINGLE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's perforated and you divided in two right now we're installing the starter strip on the gableMoreAnd it's perforated and you divided in two right now we're installing the starter strip on the gable end. And five mils per shingle approximately two to three inches back from the rake.
2-3/8" x 10' Steel Starter Strip at MenardsEveryday Low Price$4.9911% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 5/30/22$0.55
Determine the number of shingles to order for starters by measuring the length of the eaves and rakes, then round up to the nearest foot and divide by three (the length of a shingle).
A: A bundle of Starter Strip will cover approximately 105 linear feet.