Tearing off a roof creates a huge amount of debris, and choosing the right dumpster size makes all the difference. Our roofing dumpster rentals are designed to handle shingles, tiles, and underlayment so you can stay on schedule and avoid costly overages.
Why roofers choose Trash Daddy:
Home | Roofing Dumpsters
Roofing jobs are measured in squares. One square equals 100 square feet of roof area. Converting squares into dumpster space is simple once you know the type and number of shingle layers being removed:
Cedar or tile shingles: 1 square ≈ 1 cubic yard
Asphalt shingles (single layer): 1 square ≈ ½ cubic yard
Tip: If you’re removing multiple layers, just multiply by the number of layers.
Example: 20 squares of double-layer asphalt shingles ≈20 cubic yards (20 squares × 2 layers × 0.5 cubic yards).
Most asphalt shingle bundles weigh between 50-80 pounds, depending on the type and thickness:
How many shingles are in a bundle? A standard bundle contains approximately 20-29 shingles, depending on the size and style. It takes 3 bundles to cover 1 square (100 sq ft of roof area).
Why this matters for dumpster rental: Knowing bundle weight helps you estimate total debris weight. For example:
That's just the shingles—add underlayment, nails, and other debris, and you can see why weight limits matter.
Once you know how many squares of shingles you’re removing, it’s easy to match that volume to the right dumpster size.
Example with a 20 yard dumpster:
Important: Shingles can get heavy fast—a bundle of shingles typically weighs 50-80 lbs, and a full roof tear-off can easily exceed 5-10 tons. Always keep weight limits in mind, since landfills charge extra for heavier loads.
Tip: See our Material Weights page for the average weight per cubic yard for shingles and other debris.
The size of the roof and the number of layers being removed will determine which dumpster works best for your tear-off. Here’s a quick guide:
Tip: Always consider both volume and weight. A smaller roof with multiple layers can weigh as much as a larger single-layer job, so it’s safer to size up if you’re unsure. In many areas we have a "heavy can" for heavier material, which includes a higher weight limit in the price. Check with us for availability in your area.
Most roofers use 20 yard dumpsters, or smaller, mainly because shingles can get heavy. We do not recommend using the largest sizes for roofing jobs to ensure there is no issue with picking up the dumpster.
