Roofing Glossary

Starter Strip

Starter strip shingles are the first course installed at the eaves and rakes — the starter row that the first full course of shingles overlaps. They carry a factory adhesive strip that bonds to the shingle course above, creating a sealed, wind-resistant edge.

Roof edges take the most wind uplift, and the first course of shingles is the most vulnerable to being peeled back. The starter strip's adhesive creates a continuous sealed band along the perimeter so wind cannot get a purchase under the shingle edges.

Starter strips are cut or manufactured so the adhesive lands in the right place. Using cut-up field shingles as starters — an old shortcut — does not provide the same seal and is not acceptable in manufacturer specifications.

Why It Matters

Blow-offs almost always start at an unsealed edge. Factory starter strips are a small cost and a required part of wind-rated shingle systems — verify your contractor uses them, not field-cut substitutes.

Questions about your own roof? Request a free estimate or call Nucci Brothers Roofing at (301) 458-1003.