A starter strip (or starter course) is a purpose-made run of shingle material installed along the eaves — and ideally the rakes — before the first visible course of shingles. It does two quiet but critical jobs: its continuous adhesive line bonds the bottom edge of the first shingle course down tight, and it backs up the cutouts and joints in that first course so water at the edge lands on asphalt, not bare underlayment or decking.
Why it matters on Douglas County roofs
The roof edge is where wind gets its fingers under a roof. When a Pacific storm front pushes up the Umpqua Valley, uplift at the eaves and rakes is what starts shingle blow-offs — and the starter strip's factory sealant is the primary defense. It's also the first line of protection where wind-driven rain wraps around the edge, working alongside the drip edge to move water into the gutter instead of behind the fascia.
When it's skipped, what it costs you
A missing or improvised starter course usually announces itself in the first serious windstorm: a line of first-course shingles flapping or gone, and repairs that cost more than the starter strip ever would have. It can also void the enhanced portion of a manufacturer warranty, which typically requires the full accessory system installed to spec. It's one of the details worth asking about when comparing roof replacement bids — cheap quotes often save money in exactly these invisible places, as we cover in our local replacement cost guide.
Do rakes need starter strip too, or just eaves?
Eaves are mandatory; rakes are strongly recommended in wind country. Sealing the rake edge stiffens the whole field of shingles against uplift, and the material cost on a typical home is minor.
Related terms
Drip edge · Eave · Rake · Architectural shingle · Three-tab shingle