Roofing Giant Research Lab · Educational preview
Explore the layers of a shingle roof.
Examine conventional eave and rake assemblies, see the difference between starter shingles and field underlayment, and learn why a formed drip edge matters.
Open full-screen interactive Explorer ↗
Reference-only diagrams. Not to scale. Not an installation manual, estimate, or manufacturer-approved detail.
Interactive Roof Anatomy Explorer
Select Owens Corning or Malarkey, enlarge the eave or rake, and tap individual components. GAF and CertainTeed diagrams remain withheld pending additional documentation review.
If the embedded viewer is difficult to use on your phone, open the full-screen version.
What the Explorer teaches
At the eave: conventional drip-edge metal is below field underlayment. At the rake: edge metal is above field underlayment. Special self-adhered eave assemblies may follow different manufacturer details.
Starter shingles form a separate perimeter course; they are not an extra layer of full-deck underlayment. Drip edge is a narrow formed flashing, distinct from the fascia and gutter.
The drawn layer thicknesses and shingle projections are symbolic, not verified inch measurements.
Technical review underway — 8 open findings
These examples are preliminary. Qualified roofing reviewers still need to verify the eave/rake overhangs, drip-edge dimensions, fascia/gutter discharge, starter fastening, shingle exposure, leak-barrier exceptions, and decking support. Their review and customer-facing approval have not been completed.
Do not use these visuals for field installation, material takeoffs, warranty eligibility, code-compliance conclusions, or insurance-claim decisions.
Manufacturer and industry source references
Owens Corning Duration Series installation guide (July 2026)
Malarkey architectural laminate installation guide
Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA): eave and rake drip edge
This is a Roofing Giant research preview, not a manufacturer endorsement or certified roof assembly. It includes no customer property data and does not connect to the Roofing Giant CRM.