The starter course for wood shakes should have an overhang of at least:

The starter course for wood shakes should have an overhang of at least:

• A. 1/2"
• B. 1"
• C. 1 1/2"
• D. 2"

Answer: (C)

The key idea is water management at the eave. The starter course for wood shakes must project enough to form a true drip edge and to cover the edge of the deck beneath. Extending at least one and a half inches gives enough projection so water sheds away from the fascia and the underlying felt or underlayment, while still allowing the next row to properly overlap. This helps keep moisture out of the roof system and protects the fascia from rot. If the overhang is too small, water can wick back behind the starter and cause leaks; if it’s much larger, installation and alignment with subsequent courses become awkward. Following a practical minimum of 1 1/2 inches aligns with typical best practice for reliably protecting the eave.

The key idea is water management at the eave. The starter course for wood shakes must project enough to form a true drip edge and to cover the edge of the deck beneath. Extending at least one and a half inches gives enough projection so water sheds away from the fascia and the underlying felt or underlayment, while still allowing the next row to properly overlap. This helps keep moisture out of the roof system and protects the fascia from rot. If the overhang is too small, water can wick back behind the starter and cause leaks; if it’s much larger, installation and alignment with subsequent courses become awkward. Following a practical minimum of 1 1/2 inches aligns with typical best practice for reliably protecting the eave.