What size dumpster do I need for a roof tear off?
Size a roofing container by the squares of shingles, not by volume. A rough guide is a 10 yard for up to 1,500 square feet, a 15 yard to about 2,000, and a 20 yard to about 2,500 of single layer asphalt shingles. Double the allowance for a second layer. Call 1-833-520-0680 for a heavy debris rated container.
Who should rent this container?
Asphalt shingle tear offs, single or multi layer- Roof decking and underlayment replacement
- Flat roof membrane removal
- Storm damaged roof debris
- Jobs needing a heavy debris rated container
What are the dimensions and weight limits?
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common sizes | 10, 15 and 20 yard |
| Weight per square, asphalt | About 250 lb per 100 sq ft layer |
| Single layer, 2,000 sq ft roof | Roughly 2.5 tons |
| Container rating | Heavy debris rated |
| Typical pricing basis | Flat rate to a tonnage cap, then per ton |
| Driveway space needed | 45 to 60 ft depending on size |
Why do you size a roofing container by weight?
Because asphalt is heavy out of proportion to its bulk. A square of shingles, meaning 100 square feet of coverage, weighs around 250 pounds for a single layer. A 2,000 square foot roof is therefore about 2.5 tons before you add decking or underlayment.
That is why a 20 yard container of shingles is at its weight limit while looking barely half full. Volume is the wrong unit for this job.
How do you count layers?
Lift a shingle at the eave and look at the edge. Many homes carry two layers, because a previous re-roof went over the top rather than tearing off. Each extra layer roughly doubles the weight.
Tell the provider the layer count when you call. A quote built on one layer and a job that turns out to have three is the single most common source of overage charges on roofing work.
What size should you order?
As a rough guide for single layer asphalt: a 10 yard to about 1,500 square feet, a 15 yard to about 2,000, and a 20 yard to about 2,500. For two layers, halve those figures or order the next size with a higher tonnage cap.
Providers usually quote a flat rate up to a stated tonnage, then a per ton rate above it. Ask for both numbers so a surprise second layer does not become a surprise bill.
What about the mess on the ground?
Plan for it before the first shingle comes off. Lay a tarp or plywood between the container and the wall, keep the container close to the eave you are stripping, and run a magnetic sweeper over the drive and lawn before collection.
Nails are the complaint that outlasts the job. A tyre puncture a week later costs more goodwill than the tear off was worth.
Can shingles be recycled?
In a lot of markets, yes. Asphalt shingles can be ground and used in road paving, and some providers route clean tear off loads to a shingle recycler rather than a landfill.
The catch is contamination. A load with wood, felt and packaging mixed through it goes to landfill. If recycling is available locally and matters to you, keep the shingles separate and say so when you book.
How does booking work?
Call with your ZIP and debris list
We connect you with a local provider. Describe the material honestly so the weight allowance is right.
Confirm price, dates and placement
The provider quotes the all in total and tells you what the site needs to look like on delivery day.
Load it, then call for pickup
Keep debris level with the top rail. Call when you are done or let the rental period run out.
What does it cost?
| Market type | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Major metro | $360 to $700 |
| Mid size city | $320 to $600 |
| Small town or rural | $290 to $550 |
Going over the included weight is the most common extra charge. Expect roughly $50 to $125 per extra ton, depending on the local landfill rate.
What can you put in it?
Usually accepted
- Household junk, furniture and mattresses
- Drywall, lumber, trim and flooring
- Asphalt shingles, in a heavy debris container
- Yard waste, branches and sod
- Appliances with the refrigerant already removed
- Carpet, padding and cabinetry
Not accepted
- Paint, solvents, fuel and motor oil
- Tires and vehicle batteries
- Asbestos and other regulated materials
- Propane tanks and pressurized cylinders
- Medical waste and chemicals
- Electronics in states that ban them from landfills
Accepted material varies by landfill and by provider. Confirm your list on the call before the container is dropped.
Where should the container sit?
Put the container as close to the drop zone as the drive allows, ideally along the eave you are stripping first. Lay plywood or a tarp between the container and the house to catch nails, and sweep with a magnet before the truck comes back.
The truck needs roughly 60 feet of straight approach, 10.5 feet of width and 23 feet of overhead clearance. Low branches, carports and utility lines are the usual obstacles. Keep cars clear of the drop zone, and tell the driver which way you want the barn doors to face.
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Roofing Dumpster questions
How many squares fit in a 20 yard roofing dumpster?
Roughly 25 squares of single layer asphalt shingles, which is about 2,500 square feet. A second layer roughly halves that figure.
Why are roofing containers priced differently?
Asphalt shingles are dense. A roof that looks like a modest pile weighs several tons, so providers quote a heavy debris container with a tonnage cap rather than a flat volume price.
How much does a square of shingles weigh?
About 250 pounds per 100 square feet for a single layer of standard asphalt shingles. Architectural and multi layer roofs weigh more.
Can I put the old decking in the same container?
Usually yes. Plywood decking and underlayment are normally accepted alongside shingles. Confirm when you book, because it affects the weight estimate.
Are shingles recyclable?
In many markets, yes. Asphalt shingles can be processed into road paving material, and some providers route clean loads to a shingle recycler. Ask whether it is available locally.
What about nails in the driveway?
Lay a tarp under the drop zone and run a magnetic sweeper before the container is collected. Nails in a driveway are the most common complaint after a tear off.
Who wrote this page
Written and fact checked by the Dumpster Porta Potty USA editorial team. We check container sizes, servicing intervals and price ranges against published provider rate sheets and federal guidance, then update the page when those change.
Last updated . Read our editorial policy.
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