Dumpster Size for Roof Tear-Off Calculator
Last reviewed How we calculate
Tearing off a shingle roof produces a surprising amount of waste, and it is heavy. This estimates the volume and the weight of the debris from the roof area and the number of layers, and suggests a dumpster size to ask for.
Dumpster size for a shingle tear-off
The debris volume and weight of a shingle tear-off, and the dumpster size that is likely to hold it.
This calculator needs JavaScript to work. The measurements below are the ones you would need to do the sum by hand.
Dumpster size to ask for The smallest common size that holds the debris by volume: 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 cubic yards.
- Debris volume
- Debris volume, cubic meters
- Debris weight, US tons Ask the hauler for the weight limit of the container. Shingles often reach the weight limit before they fill it.
- Roofing squares
This is a heavy load for one container. Many haulers cap shingle loads at a few tons and charge by the ton over that. Ask for the weight limit and the overage price before you book, and consider a second container or a hauler that prices by weight.
More than the largest common container holds. Plan on two loads, or a swap-out service, rather than heaping one container over its fill line.
A planning figure, not a quote. Container sizes, weight limits and prices vary by hauler and by city, and the roof deck, flashing and any rotten sheathing you replace add to the load. Shingle debris is heavy for its volume, so tell the hauler it is roofing material when you book.
How the estimate works
Roof area divided by 100 gives the number of roofing squares. Each square of old shingles, with its underlayment and nails, adds volume and weight. The calculator multiplies the squares by the number of layers, by about 0.4 cubic yards a square for volume, and by about 300 lb a square for weight. Both figures can be changed. It then picks the smallest common container, 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 cubic yards, that holds the volume.
A worked example
A 1,250 sq ft roof has 12.5 squares. One layer comes to about 5 cubic yards and 1.9 tons, so a 10 yard dumpster is enough by volume. A 3,000 sq ft roof with two layers is 60 squares of shingle, about 24 cubic yards and 9 tons. That needs a 30 yard container by volume, and the weight is the bigger problem, as it is well past what many haulers allow in one load.
Weight usually decides
Shingles are dense. A container can be only partly full and still be at its weight limit, and haulers charge by the ton once a load goes over it. Ask for the weight limit and the price per extra ton before you book, and say that the load is roofing. If the estimate comes out heavy, a second container or a hauler that bills by weight can cost less than an overweight fee.
What else goes in the dumpster
The figures cover asphalt shingles and underlayment only. Flashing, old vents, ridge caps, damaged sheathing and any gutters you replace add to the load, so leave some margin. Some cities require a permit to put a dumpster on the street, and a few areas have recycling rules for asphalt shingles, so check with your hauler or your city before the job starts.
Frequently asked questions
What size dumpster do I need for a roof tear-off?
A single layer on a small roof of 12 squares or so usually fits a 10 yard dumpster. Larger roofs and extra layers move up to 20 or 30 yards, but the weight limit often matters more than the size.
How much does a square of old shingles weigh?
Commonly 250 to 400 lb for each layer, including the underlayment and nails. The calculator uses 300 lb, and you can change it if your hauler or contractor gives a different figure.
Why did my estimate say the load is heavy?
Shingles are heavy for their volume. Past about 3 tons, many haulers add a fee per extra ton or want a second container, so ask for the weight limit and the overage price when you book.