Good call on the chalk lines—I learned that lesson the hard way after my first DIY roof looked like abstract art from the street. Curious though, did you find starter strips made much difference, or just cut your own from regular shingles?
"Curious though, did you find starter strips made much difference, or just cut your own from regular shingles?"
- Tried both ways myself—cutting my own worked fine, but honestly, starter strips saved me a ton of time.
- Plus, the adhesive strip on starters gave me a bit more peace of mind during windy days.
- Learned the chalk line lesson too... neighbors joked my first attempt looked like modern art. You're definitely not alone there!
Starter strips definitely streamline things, especially with the adhesive strip—helps reduce uplift risks. Cutting your own works, but uniformity can be tricky, and uneven edges might compromise water shedding slightly... just something to consider if longevity's a priority.
I've always wondered—are starter strips really that much better than just cutting your own? I mean, sure, uniformity matters, but has anyone actually seen a noticeable difference in lifespan or water shedding between DIY strips and the pre-made ones? I've had roofs done both ways on properties I manage, and honestly haven't noticed much difference... but maybe I'm just lucky? Curious if others have had different experiences.
I've wondered about this too, and honestly, from what I've seen, the difference between pre-made starter strips and DIY cuts isn't usually about lifespan or water shedding directly—it's more about ease and consistency during installation. If you're meticulous and careful when cutting your own strips, you'll probably get similar performance. But I've noticed that pre-made starter strips can speed up the job quite a bit, especially if you're working with a crew or under time constraints.
One thing I have seen though, is that DIY strips sometimes lead to minor inconsistencies in overhang or alignment, especially if the person cutting them isn't experienced. Over time, those little inconsistencies can occasionally cause minor issues like uneven wear or slight curling at the edges. Nothing catastrophic, but noticeable if you're really paying attention.
I guess my question would be: has anyone here actually had to deal with warranty claims or insurance inspections where the type of starter strip made a difference? I've heard some manufacturers can be picky about honoring warranties if their specific starter products aren't used, even if the DIY method is technically sound. Curious if anyone's run into trouble with that...?
