Roofing debris doesn’t look like much on the ground. A pile of old shingles, some torn felt, a few buckets of nails.
Then it goes in the dumpster and you find out the hard way that shingles are heavy. Really heavy.
A roof tear-off will usually hit a container’s weight limit long before it fills the box.
So for a roof, size the dumpster by weight first, then volume. Figure out how many squares you’re tearing off, what kind of shingles they are, and how many layers are up there.
Multiply. That number tells you which container makes sense. Here’s how to do the math.
Which dumpster size fits your roof?
Dumpster Rental For Roofing Contractors
| Dumpster | Single-layer shingle tear-off, up to |
| 12 yard | About 1,800 sq ft |
| 15 yard | About 2,500 sq ft |
| 20 yard | About 3,000 sq ft |
| 30 yard | Not recommended for shingles |
Those numbers are for one layer. Got two layers? Plan for roughly twice the container, or a second haul.
How much do asphalt shingles weigh?
Roofers measure in squares. One square covers 100 square feet of roof. So a 2,200 square foot roof is 22 squares.
Weight per square depends on the shingle. IKO, a shingle manufacturer, puts tear-off debris at roughly:
| Shingle type | Approx. weight per square |
| 3-tab | About 200 lb |
| Laminate (architectural) | About 240 lb |
| Premium or designer | About 300 lb |
Those IKO figures already include a small allowance, about 10 pounds per square, for the underlayment, nails and other bits that come off with the shingles. The National Institute of Standards and Technology lists an average around 280 pounds per square for asphalt shingles, which falls right inside that same range.
Not sure what’s on your roof? 3-tab shingles look flat and uniform, with even cutouts along the bottom edge. Architectural shingles are thicker and layered, with a more textured, shadowed look.
How do you estimate the total weight of a tear-off?
Three numbers. Squares, weight per square, layers.
Say you’ve got a 2,000 square foot roof with one layer of architectural shingles. That’s 20 squares times about 240 pounds, or roughly 4,800 pounds. A little under two and a half tons.
Same roof with two layers? Close to 9,600 pounds. Almost five tons.
And that’s why layers matter so much. IKO says a second layer can double the dumpster you need, and recommends figuring that layer separately, since it may not be the same type of shingle as the top one. Not sure how many layers you have? Ask your roofer before you book.
Measuring your roof from the ground is tricky. Pitch and overhangs make the roof bigger than the floor plan, so if a roofer has already given you an estimate, use the square footage number from that quote.
Why not just get the biggest dumpster?
Because the biggest box isn’t the issue. The weight is.
Every container has a weight limit, and when you get a quote from us, it comes with a specific weight limit for that rental. Shingles hit that limit fast. IKO even warns against filling a dumpster to the brim with shingles, and steers roofers away from 30-yard and larger containers for tear-offs since they can get too heavy to haul safely. That’s why our Dumpster Rentals page lists roofing capacity for the 12, 15 and 20-yard containers, and not for the 30-yard.
When you call, tell us it’s a roofing job. Give us the squares, the shingle type and the number of layers, and we’ll quote the right size and weight limit up front.
What else goes in a roofing dumpster?
Shingles are most of it, but not all of it. Old felt or synthetic underlayment, drip edge, flashing, ridge vents and some damaged decking can come off too. If your roofer is replacing rotted plywood, that adds weight and takes up room. Count it.
Nails and staples go in the container as well. Just do a magnet sweep of the yard and driveway afterward. Your tires will thank you.
Where does the dumpster go?
As close to the roof edge as you can get it. Crews toss debris straight off the roof, so a short throw saves time and keeps shingles out of the flower beds.
The driveway is the usual spot. Street placement is another story in North Jersey. A lot of towns don’t allow dumpsters in the street at all, including Paramus, Wyckoff, and Westwood, while others need a permit from the police or public works department first. Our Dumpster Permits page lists the rules town by town for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic and Union County.
Tight driveway? How to Plan Dumpster Placement for Tight Driveways and Small Job Sites walks through how to make it fit.
How long do you need it?
All of our dumpsters come with a 7-day rental. If the forecast looks wet, say so when you book.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a square of shingles weigh?
About 200 pounds for 3-tab and around 240 for architectural, with premium shingles closer to 300, according to IKO’s estimates.
What size dumpster do I need for a 2,000 square foot roof?
For one layer, our 15-yard container handles up to about 2,500 square feet of shingles. Two layers will need more.
Can I put shingles in a 30-yard dumpster?
It’s not recommended. A 30-yard box full of shingles can get too heavy to haul.
Do two layers of shingles double the weight?
Roughly, yes. Estimate each layer separately, since they may be different shingle types.
Tearing off a roof in Essex, Hudson, Morris, Bergen, or Passaic County? Go Pro Waste delivers 12, 15, 20 and 30-yard dumpsters across Northern New Jersey from Belleville. Call 973-302-4880 and tell us your square count and shingle type. You can also read our Dumpster Size Guide: Choosing the Right Container for NJ Projects and Safety And Guidelines When Renting A Dumpster In NJ, check our Service Areas, or contact us.
