Are you planning to tear off your old roof? If so, renting a roll-off dumpster is an excellent idea for this renovation project. Roof replacement, for example, can generate a significant amount of waste. A roll-off dumpster allows you to dispose of renovation waste and debris quickly, easily, and responsibly.
Renting a dumpster is not that complicated, but do you know which size of roll-off dumpster you need? You only need to know how many shingle bundles each roll-off dumpster size can hold when renting a dumpster. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started!
Different material, different weight
There are types of shingles that are heavier than the others. For asphalt shingles, there are two most common types. They can be 3-tab shingles or architectural shingles. Between the two, architectural shingles are heavier due to their dimensional design. Three-tab shingles are more traditional and lighter in weight. On the other hand, clay slates and concrete tiles weigh heavier than asphalt shingles.
When we compare them per bundle, the weight difference becomes much clearer. Typically, a bundle contains 21 pieces. A bundle of 3-tab shingles weighs 45-60 pounds, whereas an architectural shingle bundle weighs 60-80 pounds.
The size of the roof
Each roof has its design and this significantly affects the size of the roof. A high-pitched roof may be larger than a flat roof. The total waste volume is affected by factors such as the size and shape of the roof. This is also affected by the number of shingles used. Multiple layers of shingles would also increase the total number of squares.
100 square feet is the size of a square. This is the roofing industry’s standard unit of measurement. One square of roof may require three bundles, but thick shingles may necessitate four bundles. One square of shingles typically weighs between 150 and 240 pounds. The thickest shingles can weigh between 320 and 400 pounds per square foot.
There’s More than Tiles and Shingles
Tearing off that old roof removes more than just layers of shingles or tiles. Under the roof, there is underlayment, nails, and other items. All of these factors contribute to the total weight of the waste materials. These items are heavy, such as the felt paper that contains asphalt debris. This should be added to the estimated weight of the waste when determining the appropriate dumpster roll-off size.
Pick your Roll-off Dumpster
When deciding on the size of the rented roll-off dumpster, the capacity and weight limit must also be taken into account. Keep in mind that some shingles are heavier than others. Some renovation waste and debris may appear to be light, but can be quite heavy. Plywood is lighter, but it takes up more space than heavier materials. So, here’s a table to help you remember.
| Size of Roof (3-Tab Shingle) | Estimated Weight of Debris | Recommended Dumpster Size |
| 15 square | 3,750-6,000 lbs | 10 yard |
| 15 square | 4,000-6,000 lbs | 15 yard |
| 20 square | 5,000-8,000 lbs | 20 yard |
| 25 square | 6,250-10,000 lbs | 20 yard |
| 30 square | 7,500-12,000 lbs | 30 yard |
You can rent multiple roll-off dumpsters for a large renovation or roofing tear-off. The sizes and capacities of roll-off dumpsters vary from company to company. For best options, talk to your roofer about the estimated square footage of the roof and inquire about dumpster rental companies.
With this quick guide, you can now select the appropriate size of dumpster rental for your roofing project. What’s more, Troupe Waste and Recycling has roll-off containers that will fit your requirements. To make things easier for you, we can deliver a roll-off dumpster to the site when the project begins. You won’t have to waste another day cleaning up after you’ve dumped the shingles into the dumpster. When you’re finished, give us a call and we’ll pick it up. Nothing does it better than Troupe Waste and Recycling.
Are you still thinking? Give us a call today!
