Have you heard of starter shingles? Are you wondering if they’re different from asphalt shingles and what they actually do?
Starter shingles are an important piece of a roof system. However, you don’t see them after a roof is installed.
So, it’s easy for bad roofers to come in and sell you a cheap roof without them. Some may even lie straight to your face by saying they aren’t necessary.
I don’t want this to happen to you.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand every roofing component and why they’re important. So, let’s break down what you need to know about starter shingles.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the answers to the following questions:
Starter shingles are an asphalt-based roofing accessory used as the first course of shingles on the edges of asphalt roofs. They look like shingles without the tabs but are thinner and pre-cut for easy installation.
Starter shingles are installed along the rakes and eaves over the underlayment before the actual shingles are installed on top of them. They definitely need to be installed on the eaves, but it could be optional to install starter shingles along the rakes.
This is simply because some shingle manufacturers don’t require starter shingles on the rakes to maintain basic warranty coverage. However, I recommend installing them on all edges for performance and enhanced warranty reasons.
The main reason starter shingles are important is to prevent water from getting under the shingles at the roof edges. They feel in the gaps between joints where the first row of shingles butt against each other.
This is especially crucial along the gutter line (eaves) with how water flows down a roof. Another reason starter shingles are important is the adhesive strip on the bottom.
After installation and reaching the right temperature, the adhesive seals the starter shingles to the shingles above. This seal prevents wind from getting under the shingles and lifting them at the edges, which also improves a roof’s wind-resistance rating
Starter shingles come with a standard material warranty from the manufacturer, but they also affect certain roof warranties. On top of improving the wind-resistance rating, they also upgrade the manufacturer’s wind warranty on the entire roof system.
For example, CertainTeed Landmark shingles come standard with a 110-mph wind warranty, but getting starter shingles on the rakes and eaves increases it to 130 mph. Keep in mind that you’ll have to use the specific manufacturer’s starter accessory to qualify.
Starter shingles are also a required accessory to qualify for an enhanced roof system warranty. The shingles, starter shingles, and other roofing components must come from a single manufacturer and be installed by a certified roofer to get the enhanced warranty..
After installation and registering with the manufacturer, you’ll get a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty (based on the certification level). This enhanced warranty ensures the manufacturer pays to replace your entire roof (both labor and materials) if a component fails, including starter shingles.
A bundle of starter shingles can range anywhere from $30-$90+ per bundle depending on the manufacturer, quality, and area-specific pricing. However, they are measured by linear feet instead of per square.
So, I can’t provide a narrowed-down version with a rough per-square-foot price that they add to a roof replacement’s cost like actual roofing materials. On top of this, there’s the labor factor and the makeup of your roof.
Every roofing contractor and roof is different, so it’s impossible to provide exact pricing for labor and materials to install starter shingles. That’s why their cost (and the other components) is wrapped into the overall per square or square foot.
After reading this article, you know what starter shingles are, why they’re important, and more. They are a crucial roofing component that every asphalt shingle roof needs.
But starter shingles are just one part of a roof system. After all, they only go on the roof's edges.
A roof system is actually made up of multiple layers that come together to prevent water from getting into your home. Knowing helps you understand a roof replacement better, while also giving you the confidence to review estimates and ensure everything is included.
That’s why I wrote another article breaking down all the layers of an asphalt roof system.
Check out The 9 Layers of a Roof System to learn all the materials and components that make up a roof.