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Safety Cue
Task-specific safety guidance for ordinary work hazards.
Chapter 7
Install Starter Strip Shingles
Install the approved starter-strip system along required eaves and rakes, using the correct product, overhang, adhesive orientation, and joint offset, to seal the first shingle course and establish the working edge for the roof-covering field.
Field Cue System
These cues appear at the point of work. They identify safety, code, manufacturer, and measurement issues before they become rework or hazards.
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Critical Safety Cue
Serious injury, fall, or major damage is possible.
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Field Safety Cue
Practical work-area safety: footing, weather, housekeeping, and access.
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Code Alert
Local requirements vary. Verify permit, inspection, and jurisdictional rules.
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Manufacturer Cue
Follow product-specific instructions for materials, fastening schedules, and equipment.
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Measurement Cue
Slope, span, clearance, and reference-point guidance.
Job Overview
This chapter qualifies you to install the approved starter-strip system that seals and supports the first course of field shingles. The finished work product is a straight, securely fastened starter course along every required eave and, where the approved system calls for it, along every required rake — installed with the correct overhang, adhesive orientation, joint offset from the first field course, and corner transitions, and inspected before the first field course begins.
You will confirm the starter product's compatibility with the field shingles, stage and prepare starter material, mark the required overhang from the drip-edge reference, cut the first section to create the required joint offset, align and fasten successive sections, form eave-to-rake corner transitions, and document the completed starter course.
This chapter follows Chapter 6, which established the roofing layout control grid, and precedes Chapter 8, where the first field course is installed directly onto the starter strip you install here. No field shingle may be installed until the starter course beneath it has passed inspection.
Skills You Will Demonstrate
- RF-037 — Select a starter-strip product compatible with the approved field shingles and roof edges being covered.
- RF-038 — Align the starter course to the drip-edge reference and required overhang.
- RF-039 — Offset starter joints from the joints of the first field-shingle course by the required distance.
- RF-040 — Fasten starter shingles using the specified fastener type, quantity, location, and seating condition.
- RF-041 — Maintain the required starter overhang at eaves and rakes through corner transitions.
- RF-042 — Inspect the completed starter course for overhang, alignment, fastening, adhesive orientation, joint offset, and corner condition.
Where This Skill Fits
The starter course is the last water-control layer installed before the visible roof-covering field begins, and the first layer that the field shingles depend on for wind resistance along the roof edges. A starter course installed without the manufacturer-required adhesive orientation, overhang, or joint offset compromises the wind-warranty performance of every course installed above it in Chapter 8.
This chapter depends directly on the roof-edge metal from Chapter 3, the underlayment from Chapter 5, and the layout control grid from Chapter 6. It in turn establishes the edge that Chapter 8's first field-shingle course is measured and fastened against.
Scope and Intended Use
This chapter covers:
- reviewing the roofing-system instructions for starter product, adhesive location, overhang, fastening, joint offset, eave use, rake use, and wind-warranty requirements
- confirming that roof-edge metal, underlayment, and layout lines are complete before starter work begins
- verifying starter-product compatibility with the selected field shingles and the roof edges being covered
- staging, marking, cutting, aligning, and fastening starter strips at eaves and, where required, at rakes
- forming eave-to-rake corner transitions without doubled humps, gaps, or exposed adhesive
- inspecting and correcting the completed starter course before the first field course begins
This chapter does not authorize the learner to:
- install any field shingle course; that work begins in Chapter 8, only after the starter course in this chapter has passed inspection
- alter the roof-edge metal installed in Chapter 3 or the underlayment installed in Chapter 5, beyond the surface contact required to fasten the starter strip
- substitute a starter product, adhesive orientation, or fastening schedule not identified as compatible by the roofing-system instructions
- proceed with starter installation over an eave or rake that has not passed the applicable Chapter 3 and Chapter 5 inspections
Any eave or rake section that fails this chapter's inspection must be corrected under this chapter's procedure, or the affected section must be held open, before it receives a field-shingle course.
Reference Conventions
Establish these references before installing any starter section, and use them consistently across the starter installation record.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Starter overhang | The distance the starter strip projects beyond the drip-edge reference, as specified by the roofing-system instructions |
| Adhesive strip | The factory-applied sealant band on the starter product that bonds the first field course; its required position relative to the roof edge is set by the manufacturer |
| Joint offset | The required horizontal distance between a starter-strip joint and the nearest joint in the first field-shingle course |
| Eave starter | Starter strip installed along the lower horizontal roof edge |
| Rake starter | Starter strip installed along the sloped gable-end edge, where the approved system requires it |
| Corner transition | The point where eave starter and rake starter meet, formed without doubled humps, gaps, or exposed adhesive |
Starter Installation Record
Before beginning installation, record the controlling documents and site identification directly on the starter installation record:
Project / address: ______ Roofing-system specification revision: ______ Starter product identified: ______
Date started: ____________ Installer name: ____________
Prerequisites
- Roofing-system instructions confirmed current, identifying starter product, adhesive location, overhang, fastening, joint offset, eave use, rake use, and wind-warranty requirements
- Chapter 3 roof-edge metal inspected and accepted along every eave and rake receiving starter strip
- Chapter 5 underlayment inspected and accepted, with no exposed deck, reverse laps, or loose sheets remaining
- Chapter 6 layout lines established, verified, and protected from rain, traffic, and material staging
- Roof-access and fall-protection system from Chapter 2 inspected and in place for the positions this chapter requires
- Starter installation record available before starting
Common Field Fundamentals
The starter course exists to do two things the field shingles cannot do for themselves at the roof edge: seal the underside of the first course tabs against wind lift, and support the exposed cutouts of the first course over a continuous surface rather than a bare edge. Every decision in this chapter — overhang, adhesive orientation, joint offset, and corner treatment — serves one or both of those purposes.
Eave starterSeals first-course tabs; overhang set from drip-edge reference
Rake starterInstalled where the approved system requires edge sealing along gable ends
Adhesive orientationFactory adhesive strip positioned per manufacturer instructions relative to the edge
Joint offsetStarter joints kept clear of first-course joints by the required distance
Fastening zoneFasteners placed only in the manufacturer-specified location and spacing
Corner transitionEave-to-rake meeting point formed without humps, gaps, or exposed adhesive
Reference methodEvery finding recorded against the roofing-system instructions and drip-edge line
ProtectionInstalled starter kept clear of traffic and contamination before Chapter 8
Overhang, Adhesive, and Joint Offset
Mark the required starter overhang from the drip-edge reference before positioning any section. Confirm the adhesive strip's position relative to the roof edge against the manufacturer instructions before fastening the first section, since this position differs among products. Cut the first starter section to create the required joint offset from the first field-shingle course before installing any full section.
RF-037 – RF-042
Roof-Covering Installation / Starter Course
Starter-Strip Shingle Installation
A. Finished-Work Specification
Deliverable: one completed starter-strip installation covering every required eave and rake, with the specified overhang, adhesive orientation, fastening, joint offset from the first field course, and corner transitions, inspected and corrected before Chapter 8 begins.
B. Governing Documents
| Document | Confirmed Current | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing-system instructions | ||
| Starter-product manufacturer instructions | ||
| Chapter 3 roof-edge metal inspection record | ||
| Chapter 5 underlayment inspection record | ||
| Chapter 6 layout record |
C. Acceptance Standards
| Check | Standard |
|---|---|
| Product compatibility | Starter product matches the roofing-system instructions for the field shingles and edges covered |
| Overhang | Matches the required distance from the drip-edge reference on every eave and rake section |
| Adhesive orientation | Positioned per the manufacturer-required location relative to the roof edge |
| Fastening | Fastener type, quantity, location, and seating match the specified schedule |
| Joint offset | Starter joints offset from first-course joints by the required distance |
| Corner transitions | Formed without doubled humps, gaps, or exposed adhesive |
| Documentation | Starter installation record complete, including corrections, before Chapter 8 begins |
D. Required Project Sequence
- Review the roofing-system instructions for starter product, adhesive location, overhang, fastening, joint offset, eave use, rake use, and wind-warranty requirements. Record the confirmed values on the starter installation record before staging material.
- Confirm that roof-edge metal, underlayment, layout lines, and surface conditions are complete. Verify the Chapter 3, Chapter 5, and Chapter 6 inspection records show no open items on the eaves and rakes receiving starter strip.
- Verify that the starter product is compatible with the selected field shingles and approved for the roof edges being covered. Compare the product identified in Step 1 to the field-shingle product before opening any bundle.
- Stage starter strips flat and protected from bending, heat distortion, and wind. Keep bundles clear of the roof edge and secured against sliding.
- Establish the starting corner and direction based on prevailing installation sequence and water-shedding details. Record the starting corner and direction on the installation record.
- Mark the required starter overhang from the drip-edge reference. Measure from the Chapter 3 drip-edge line at intervals sufficient to hold a straight reference along the full eave length.
- Cut the first starter section to create the required joint offset from the first field-shingle course. Use the offset distance confirmed in Step 1 and mark the cut before fastening.
- Position the adhesive strip in the manufacturer-required location relative to the roof edge. Confirm orientation against the product instructions before fastening the first section.
- Align the starter strip to the reference line without waves or accumulated drift. Check alignment against the marked overhang at each section, not only at the starting corner.
- Fasten the strip using the specified fastener type, quantity, location, and seating condition. Seat each fastener flush without cutting the material or leaving a raised head.
- Install successive eave starter sections with tight or specified joints and without overlapping unless instructed. Maintain the marked overhang line through each new section.
- Keep starter joints offset from field-shingle joints by the required distance. Verify the offset against the Chapter 6 layout lines before fastening each new section.
- Form eave-to-rake corner transitions without doubled humps, gaps, or exposed adhesive. Trim and fit corner pieces so the adhesive strip remains continuous across the transition.
- Install rake starter strips where required, maintaining the approved edge projection and adhesive relationship. Confirm whether the roofing-system instructions require rake starter before beginning this step.
- Cut around approved edge conditions without leaving unsupported tabs or exposed deck. Support every cut edge on underlying material before fastening.
- Inspect overhang, alignment, fastening, adhesive orientation, joint offset, and corner transitions. Walk the full length of every eave and rake receiving starter strip and record findings on the installation record.
- Replace cracked, distorted, misaligned, overdriven, underdriven, or improperly offset sections. Use the flat pry bar to lift and remove defective sections without damaging the underlayment beneath.
- Protect installed starter strips from traffic and contamination before the first field course. Limit foot traffic across completed starter sections until Chapter 8 begins.
- Record starter product, layout, edge locations, fastener schedule, and corrections. Complete the starter installation record and attach photographs before beginning Chapter 8.
Common Starter Installation Checks
Apply the same checks to every eave and rake receiving starter strip, regardless of roof size or configuration.
- Compatibility check: confirm the starter product matches the roofing-system instructions for the field shingles installed.
- Overhang check: confirm overhang is measured from the drip-edge reference and consistent along the full eave or rake.
- Adhesive check: confirm the adhesive strip is positioned per the manufacturer-required location relative to the roof edge.
- Fastening check: confirm fastener type, quantity, location, and seating match the specified schedule.
- Offset check: confirm starter joints are offset from first-course joints by the required distance.
- Corner check: confirm eave-to-rake transitions are free of doubled humps, gaps, or exposed adhesive.
Complete the Starter Installation Record in the Inspection Checklist section below before beginning Chapter 8.
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Failure Points and Troubleshooting
Cleanup
This chapter ends with an inspected starter course and an organized record set, not scattered offcuts and loose fasteners.
- Remove starter offcuts, release film, and loose fasteners from the roof surface and the ground below
- Store unused starter material for reuse in later authorized corrections
- Protect the completed starter course from unnecessary traffic before Chapter 8 begins
- Compile the starter installation record and photographs into the project record
- Transfer the completed starter installation record to the location Chapter 8 will reference before installing the first field course
Field Terms
- Starter Strip
- A manufacturer-approved shingle product installed at roof edges beneath the first field course to seal tabs and support cutouts.
- Starter Overhang
- The distance the starter strip projects beyond the drip-edge reference.
- Adhesive Strip
- The factory-applied sealant band on the starter product, positioned per manufacturer instructions relative to the roof edge.
- Joint Offset
- The required horizontal distance between a starter-strip joint and the nearest first-course joint.
- Eave Starter
- Starter strip installed along the lower horizontal roof edge.
- Rake Starter
- Starter strip installed along the sloped gable-end edge, where required by the approved system.
- Corner Transition
- The point where eave starter and rake starter meet, formed without doubled humps, gaps, or exposed adhesive.
- Starter Installation Record
- The document recording product, layout, edge locations, fastener schedule, and corrections for the starter course.
Skill Check
- Why must the starter product be confirmed compatible with the field shingles before any material is staged?
- From what fixed reference is the starter overhang measured, and why not from the fascia or underlayment edge?
- Why must the first starter joint be cut to create an offset from the first field-shingle course?
- What happens to wind-warranty performance if the adhesive strip is installed in the wrong orientation?
- What condition must an eave-to-rake corner transition avoid, and why?
- What must be verified about Chapters 3, 5, and 6 before starter installation begins?
- What is the correction method for an overdriven or misplaced starter fastener?
- Why must installed starter strips be protected from traffic before Chapter 8 begins?
- What five categories of information must the starter installation record contain?
- Why does Chapter 8 depend directly on the inspection result recorded at the end of this chapter?
Competency Rubric
| Competency | Independent Pass Standard | Not Demonstrated | With Assistance | Independently |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RF-037 | Selects a starter-strip product confirmed compatible with the approved field shingles and covered roof edges | |||
| RF-038 | Aligns the starter course to the drip-edge reference and required overhang along the full eave and rake length | |||
| RF-039 | Offsets starter joints from first-course joints by the required distance at every joint location | |||
| RF-040 | Fastens starter shingles using the specified fastener type, quantity, location, and seating condition | |||
| RF-041 | Maintains required overhang at eaves and rakes through corner transitions without gaps or exposed adhesive | |||
| RF-042 | Inspects the completed starter course and corrects overhang, alignment, fastening, adhesive orientation, joint offset, and corner defects |
Mark one column per competency. Only Demonstrated Independently awards the competency; Demonstrated with Assistance authorizes additional supervised practice but does not complete the requirement.
Inspection Checklist — Starter Installation Record
| Item | Condition Found | Correction Required | Corrected (Y/N) | Reinspection Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter product / compatibility | ||||
| Eave overhang | ||||
| Rake overhang (where required) | ||||
| Adhesive-strip orientation | ||||
| Fastening — type / quantity / location | ||||
| Joint offset from first field course | ||||
| Eave-to-rake corner transitions | ||||
| Protection prior to Chapter 8 |
Starter-course readiness decision: ______ (Proceed to Chapter 8 / Conditional-Proceed / Stop-Work) Date: ____________ Installer name: ____________
Performance Check
With installation complete, review the starter installation record against the Acceptance Standards table and confirm every required eave and rake has starter strip installed at the correct overhang, the adhesive strip is oriented per the manufacturer instructions, every fastener is seated within the specified zone, every starter joint is offset from the nearest first-course joint by the required distance, every corner transition is continuous without gaps or exposed adhesive, and every correction has been rechecked. Sign and date the starter-course readiness decision before beginning Chapter 8. If any section cannot be verified from an available position, record it as an open item and issue a conditional-proceed decision rather than a full proceed decision.
Chapter Closeout
You have completed the seventh chapter in the roof-installation sequence: installing the starter-strip system that seals and supports the first field-shingle course. This chapter required you to select a compatible starter product (RF-037), align the starter course to the drip-edge reference (RF-038), offset starter joints from the first field course (RF-039), fasten starter shingles to the specified schedule (RF-040), maintain overhang through corner transitions (RF-041), and inspect the completed starter course (RF-042).
You now have a documented, inspected starter course that fixes the edge every field-shingle course in Chapter 8 will be measured and fastened against. That record carries directly into the next chapter: installing asphalt shingles on a simple roof plane from this starter course to the upper termination.
Store the completed starter installation record and photographs with the project record. Chapter 8 requires this record before the first field-shingle course begins.