Starter shingles 101

By Lori Jerome, PABCO Roofing. 

The importance of a starter shingle and how to explain it to your clients.  

When many home and business owners look at their roofs, they often see a bunch of shingles that look the same to them. But as a roofer, you know that they're actually looking at a variety of shingle types; they might have shingles designed with a ridge vent in them, or maybe a section is comprised of solar shingles. But at the very least they'll have what are called starter shingles up there. In this article, PABCO Roofing dives into everything from the details of what a starter shingle does to how to talk to your clients about the importance of picking a quality product for them. 

The role of a starter shingle 

Similar to what the name implies, starter shingles are the first ones laid on the roof. They form the base course of the roof at the eave and, in some applications, along the rake as well. Their primary job is to create a clean, sealed edge that prevents wind uplift and water intrusion beneath the first course of shingles. The starter strips are typically constructed of a fiberglass mat coated on both sides with asphalt and covered in granules. They're nailed in place following the manufacturer's specific pattern and are often required by the building code at the roof's leading edge. In certain wind zones or climates, they may also be required at rake edges for added protection and durability. 

A quality starter shingle improves the roof’s ability to shed water efficiently. By covering joints and cutouts at the eave, the starter course ensures that water flows smoothly off the roof, instead of seeping beneath the exposed edges of field shingles. This not only protects against leaks and premature deterioration, but also supports the proper drainage path the roofing system was designed to achieve.  

Why quality matters 

Using the right starter shingle and installing it properly impacts both the look and performance of the roof. While your clients might be tempted to ask for a cheaper standard shingle to use as a starter, that approach is not recommended. Improperly placed sealant lines and uneven thickness can lead to poor adhesion, potentially voiding a manufacturer’s warranty. Starter shingles are engineered to be flatter and narrower than standard shingles, ensuring the first shingle course lies smooth and level. 

Beyond simply using a starter shingle, you also want to choose a high-quality product. Without a good quality starter shingle, your roof is more vulnerable to wind uplift and moisture intrusion. Alternatively, with a high-quality starter shingle, you get stronger adhesion at the eave and a cleaner, more uniform roofline. At the end of the day, paying a little more for a better starter shingle saves contractors time, reduces waste and ensures long-term roof system integrity. 

Working with the PABCO® Universal Starter 

PABCO Roofing Products designed their Universal Starter Shingle to simplify installation and deliver reliable performance across its full range of asphalt shingle systems. Now updated with a perforated design, the Universal Starter lets contractors easily split each shingle lengthwise into two clean pieces. This not only saves time on the roof but also helps reduce waste and improve overall efficiency.  

Unlike some self-adhering starter rolls that use rubberized materials, the PABCO Universal Starter is a true asphalt shingle. It won’t soften, stretch or become overly tacky in hot weather, ensuring smooth handling, clean installation and dependable performance across any climate or region. The Universal Starter is compatible with all PABCO asphalt shingles, including the Premier and Prestige series, which require a single layer of Universal Starter on the eave.  

It also works when used with the Paramount, Paramount Advantage and Cascade series. These systems utilize a dual-layer system and feature a Universal Starter at the edge, followed by a color-matched Paramount Starter for optimal adhesion and appearance beneath thicker designer shingles. This layered approach offers both functional and aesthetic benefits, providing stronger adhesion at the eave and a seamless, visually consistent roofline from edge to ridge.  

Every great roof needs a solid foundation. By starting with a quality starter shingle, contractors can give homeowners the confidence that their roof is built to perform from the first course to the last ridge. With PABCO’s newly improved Universal Starter, you get the perfect combination of performance, simplicity and reliability, helping every roof you install start strong and stay that way for years to come. 

Original article and photo source: PABCO Roofing