QA

Question: How To Install Starter Shingles

Do starter shingles go up the rake?

Starter shingles should always overhang the eave and rake edges of the roof by about 1/4″-3/4″ to ensure adequate rain water drainage. It is also important that the seal strip is placed facing up and close to the edge of your roof; otherwise, your roofing system won’t seal properly.

Can you use regular shingles for starter?

Bad Starter Strip Some roofers simply take regular shingles, flip them upside down and nail them down as a starter course. A better way to install a starter strip is to cut the tabs off a shingle and make sure the tar line is at the bottom edge closest to the edge of the roof.

Where do you put the starter shingles?

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).

Do you overlap starter shingles?

With the starter shingles laid along the very edge of the roof, run a set of starter shingles along the sides of the roof as well, making sure that those rows come down and overlap the starter shingles you laid at the bottom.

Should shingles overhang the drip edge?

Asphalt shingles should overhang the exterior edge of the drip edge by ¼ to ¾-inch. Check local building code for drip edge requirements prior to the start of your roofing project.

How do starter shingles work?

A starter strip is an asphalt based shingle utilized to waterproof the eave and rake edges of your home during a re-roof. Adhesive tar strips help prevent shingle blow-off from harsh winds (along eaves as well). A straight line to properly orient each new row of shingles.

Are you supposed to remove the plastic strip on the back of shingles?

The GAF shingle application instructions for our entire product line specifically state that that film does not need to be removed. Note: The film strips on the back of each shingle are to prevent sticking together of the shingles while in the bundle. Their removal is NOT required during application.

How far should shingles overhang the rake?

The edge of the shingles should hang over a roof between an inch and an inch and a half — or between a half inch and three-quarters of an inch if drip edge flashing is installed. Too much overhang and the shingles could blow off in high winds; too little can allow water to seep into rake or fascia boards.

Where does drip edge go on a roof?

The correct placement of a roof drip edge is on top of the roof’s exterior cover directly between the sheathing and the fascia board, which forms a drainage gap between the drip edge and the fascia board. As a result, the drainage improves water flow and protects the roof from potential water damage.

How far should shingles hang over drip edge?

Shingles should be installed over the drip edge a minimum of 3/8” (9 mm) at both the eave edge and the rake edge. If the drip edge extends… out from the rakes and eaves (typically called DL Style or D Type), the shingles may be installed flush with the drip edge.

How many nails are in a starter strip?

If you are installing starter strips – and you should always use starter strips beneath your first course of roof shingles – then you’ll need more nails. You should have at least 5 nails in your starter strip shingles, as they are your first defense against wind uplift and moisture penetration on your roof.

How many starter shingles do I need?

Three bundles to a square is most common, which applies to most three-tab strip shingles and some lightweight laminated shingles. Heavier three-tabbed shingles and laminated shingles require four, or sometimes five, bundles to cover a square.

Does starter strip overhang drip edge?

control line and nail them down, four nails per shingle. After installing drip-edge along the eaves, double the first course of shingles or, as shown, install a starter strip. The lower edge of the starter strip overhangs the drip-edge by 1⁄4 in. to 3⁄4 in. —or even 1 in.

How many nails do you need for shingles?

General Guidelines for Nailing Shingles Install the recommended number of nails per shingle. For Duration® Series shingles, Owens Corning recommends using either a 4- or 6-nail fastening pattern depending on the roof’s slope and building code requirements. In most cases, 4 nails are adequate.

Does drip edge go under or on top of tar paper?

Installing roof drip edge flashing properly The best way is to install the roof drip edge only along the eaves first, then place ice-and-water barrier (in the snowbelt) or felt paper (underlayment) over the drip edge. This lets any water that gets on the roof run down the underlayment and over the drip edge.

Should shingles be glued down?

Asphalt shingles come in two materials: fiberglass and organic. The way each of the shingles is made allows them to resist damage from the sun and from water. This repair is very simple—all it requires is gluing the shingle back to the roof.

Do shingles need adhesive?

As you know, asphalt shingles are shipped and stored in bundles. Each shingle is manufactured with an adhesive strip that allows it to adhere to its neighbor above when they are installed. The adhesive on the shingle is activated by heat—usually from sunlight beating down on the shingled roof.

Do you peel tape on shingles?

The shingle release film — you DO NOT need to remove it! The plastic does NOT have to be removed – which saves a lot of trouble and plastic flying around the yard.