What Dumpster Size Do You Need for Your Roof Tear-Off?
If you have a rough idea of how many pounds of materials you’ll be putting in the dumpster but aren’t quite sure, choose a dumpster a size larger as this can save you money…
Did you know concrete shingles can be recycled? This means they need to be separated from other roofing materials you’re throwing away and could require a unit of their own. Again, knowing what materials are present on your roof will make your planning process go much smoother.
Roofing debris removal is an integral part of a successful roof replacement project, as removing all debris out makes the worksite safer and allow roofers to move around without obstacles in the way. A dumpster rental for roofing should be scheduled in advance so it is in place and ready to be used for debris storage and eventual removal. When you partner with a roofing dumpster rental company that caters to its customers, you’ll get your unit on time and placed where it makes the most sense for your project.
Choosing the right dumpster size for roof tear off projects is an important step. When you order the right one you don’t have to concern yourself with going over the weight limit and incurring extra fees. You also don’t have to stop work to have a nearly overflowing dumpster switched out with a fresh one. Furthermore, when you get the correct size of roofing dumpster, you won’t pay for more unit than you need. If you need assistance in determining how big of a dumpster you need for a roof tear off, we’ve got plenty of information to help.
Most homeowners put a lot of thought into their reroofing project, from the type and color of shingles or shake to whether new gutters will be included to the amount of debris that will be generated throughout the project. Homeowners are smart to talk to several roofing contractors and get bids on the project, while also asking plenty of questions along the way. But what about the size of your dumpster? Have you gathered enough information to make the right choice?
The easiest way to the approach this decision is to determine what type of old shingles are on your home and if they need to be removed before the new roof is installed. Some shingles are heavier than others, so this is important. For example, 3-tab shingles, which have been exceedingly popular because of their cost efficiency, are far lighter than architectural shingles, which are thick, durable and weightier.
Just as with any other profession, roofing contractors have their own language, so to speak. The word you want to make yourself most familiar with is “square.” Roofers use this when determining how many shingles to bring to a project. Fortunately, it’s a fairly easy term to grasp, as a “square” is simply a unit of measure, which is 100 square feet.
The right dumpster size for shingles in your project can also be determined using squares. So, if you hear a roofer refer to a project as one that needs 24 squares of shingles, that means the roof’s surface area spans 2,400 square feet. Assuming the home has an old layer of shingles that need to come off, you’ll take that into account as you determine the right sized roofing dumpster rental.
How big of a dumpster do you need for shingles coming off your roof? For asphalt shingles, the size could vary depending on the quality of the shingles. Most budget shingles are light compared to more durable asphalt shingles. Fortunately, there are roofing shingles removal calculators out there that can help you get a fairly accurate estimation. For example, let’s say your roof is roughly 2,000 square feet. The calculator allows you to enter that into one field, then enter the pitch of your roof, followed by the number of eaves and how many feet they stick out. Finally, you’ll get a roofing material result, which you can use to select your dumpster size.
Keep in mind that while these roofing calculators will help you with the shingles, there are other materials that will most likely need to come off, including pounds of nails and underlayment. Some projects might require replacing damaged decking, which is heavy plywood, so you’ll need to take the weight of this material into account before selecting a dumpster.
There are a variety of different types of asphalt shingles on the market today. Roof shingle types range from economical 3-tab shingles to architectural roof shingles. Knowing exactly what kind of shingles you have on your home will help you determine your roofing dumpster rental size.
Among the most popular shingles on a home are 3-tab shingles. They’re light and easy to install, but they’re also the most economical option among asphalt shingles. Most of them are constructed in a rectangular pattern. You can put more of these in a dumpster than you can the heavier, more durable shingles because they take up less space and are lighter.
Heavier and more durable than 3-tab shingles, architectural shingles (also called premium shingles) have an aesthetic appeal that make them a top choice for many homeowners. While they’re more expensive, they generally last longer than the budget friendly 3-tab shingles. If you’re tearing these off your home, you’ll need a larger dumpster.
Asphalt shingles make up the majority of roofing materials on homes throughout the U.S. Fortunately, there are dumpsters of several sizes that will be a good match for the size, weight and type of shingles that you’re disposing of.
Wondering how many squares of shingles will fit in a dumpster? We’ve got you covered. From small homes to large estates, taking on a roofing project should include the use of a dumpster to get rid of all the debris generated and there are many different roofing dumpster sizes that will fit just about every project.
First, you need to determine your roof’s square footage. An accurate measurement will prevent you from renting a dumpster that doesn’t match your project, either too big or too small. Don’t make the mistake of checking to see if there is more than one layer that needs to come off, as this can double the amount of debris.
Did you know that one square is equal to three bundles of shingles? Remember, a square covers 100 square feet and each square of 3-tab shingles weighs around 190 pounds. This is important information that will need to be used when renting your roofing dumpster. Also, the heavier architectural shingles will weigh upwards of 430 pounds per bundle.
Want to know how many bundles of 3-tab shingles will fit into a dumpster? Check out the following information:
When you’re pulling architectural shingles off a roof, be ready to go larger with your dumpster, as these are heavier. Here’s what you can expect each of these dumpster sizes to handle:
Your project will go much smoother when you have the right dumpster near the project where you or your roofer can easily place all the debris. After making your best determination given what you know about the size of your roof and the type of materials that will be torn off of it, you can rent a dumpster with the confidence that your project will go smoothly.
When you discover that two layers will be coming off the house before the new roof is installed, make sure you know exactly what type of shingles they are. Some people will make the mistake of assuming the bottom layer is exactly the same as the top, which can lead to a poor dumpster size decision.
One of the best practices in choosing a roofing dumpster is that when there are some questions regarding the accuracy of your weight estimations, it’s better to go larger than to get a dumpster that is too small. This is because you risk incurring overweight fees if you go too small. Furthermore, you might have to hold up your project if the small dumpster fills up too fast and needs to be replaced with a new one.
Dumpster weight limits are set to keep everyone safe. While it’s important to keep all debris below the top rim of the dumpster, it’s equally important to only fill a dumpster to its weight capacity or under. Some materials are too dense and heavy to be disposed of in a dumpster, and asphalt shingles are right up there in density and weight capacity.
Safety on roadways is a huge concern, which is why state laws set dumpster weight limits. Dumpster manufacturers also construct each unit in such a way that it handles the full weight of debris placed into it. In most cases with medium-sized dumpsters, you can fill your dumpster to the top with asphalt shingles. Just remember that should you go over your weight limit, the fees for overages are more expensive than renting the next size up. This means that should you have any doubt about staying within the weight guidelines, you should go a size larger.
What makes the bundle of shingle weight per square estimation process difficult is that each shingle type has a different construction, which impacts its overall weight. Remember that roofing contractors refer to 100 square feet as a “square.” The problem is that manufacturers have probably changed their designs on products whose names stay the same, and these design changes can impact the weight of the shingles. Always check with the manufacturer on their latest estimates before doing your calculation.
The lightest shingles are the 3-tab design, and these weigh around 190 pounds per square. But to accurately estimate roof shingles weight and what will ultimately go into your dumpster, you must also account for underlayment, nails and other debris, which should add another ten pounds per square, which brings the total to 200 pounds per square. A home with a 2,000 square foot roof would generate roughly 4,000 pounds of debris.
Architectural shingles are thicker and more durable, so they weigh more than 3-tab shingles. The average weight of shingles per square of this type is around 230 pounds. Add another 10 pounds per square for other debris and you come to around 240 pounds for this type of material. That means for a roof that covers 2,000 square feet, you can account for around 4,800 pounds of debris.
Premium shingles, which are some of the most expensive and most durable on the market, have a more varied weight range, but manufacturers make them anywhere from 230 pounds to 450 pounds per square. While it’s rare to see the heavier end of that estimate, be sure to check with the manufacturer. Adding in the underlayment, nails and other debris, most premium shingles will come in at around 300 pounds per square. A home with 2,000 square feet of roof area will generate around 6,000 pounds of debris.
From the dumpster size to pricing, same-day delivery and online ordering – finding the dumpster rental for roofing shingles that’s right for you requires a variety of factors. Not all projects are alike, which means what’s perfect for one won’t be the right size for another. Furthermore, is the pricing fair? For example, are there hidden fees that sneak up on you later? Make sure all charges are known from the start.
What if you need your dumpster for a few extra days? Can your shingle dumpster rental company help you out? Some projects drag on longer than others, so you want to partner with a company that can be flexible. In some cases, people need same-day delivery. This might be a tall order during busy seasons, but a customer-centric dumpster company will offer this service when possible. And finally, for the most ease possible, online ordering gives roofers and homeowners the option to take care of the rental needs on their time. From figuring out which unit works best to schedule the time, date and place of delivery, a good rental company offers all of this choosing and scheduling through an online renting portal.
To determine how big of a dumpster for roof tear off projects, always consider the type of material coming off the roof before the new roofing system is installed. Materials all have different weights and following is the average per pound per square foot for each common roofing material:
- Copper - .85 lbs
- Wood shingles – 4.5 lbs
- Slate – 10 lbs
- Clay tile – 12-20 lbs
- Asphalt shingles – 1.95 to 4.25 lbs
- Aluminum – .50 lbs
- Concrete tile – 8 to 10 lbs
Remember to check with the asphalt shingle manufacturer on the weight, as there is a wide variance between shingle types. For example, the more budget friendly 3-tab variety is much lighter than premium shingles. Regardless of what type of materials you have covering your roof, you must also account for underlayment and nails, which add around 10 pounds per 100 square feet.
Felt paper, also referred to as underlayment, is the layer below the shingles that adds further protection from moisture. A dumpster for roofing projects must also consider this material, as it will add bulk and weight. Roofers don’t use just one type of felt/underlayment, they have a choice between 15 lb, 30 lb. and 45 lb. categories. The lower the number, the lower the overall weight of the felt.
The 15 lb. option weights .2 pounds per square foot. The 30 lb. option weighs .3 pounds and 45 lb. felt comes in at .5 pounds per square foot. So, for a 2,000 square foot roof, you’re looking at 400 to 1,000 pounds of extra weight in your roofing debris removal process. Make sure your dumpster for roofing waste accounts for this.
Because of the density of shingles, you won’t be able to fill up the largest dumpster and stay below the weight limit. While these large units are built to handle the most weight, they’re more suited for bulky items that take up a lot of space. Furthermore, the largest dumpsters aren’t the most driveway-friendly, particularly for homeowners with tiny driveways.
But what about the smaller dumpster rental sizes, such as the six cubic yard units? While these are often used for bulky and dense items, such as concrete and other heavy refuse involved in landscaping projects, the shingles are probably too heavy for these units. Rather, the smaller ones are perfect for smaller projects.
Among the more popular choices for the average size home run between the 10 and 15 cubic yard roofing dumpster rentals. They will hold between 5,000 and 6,000 pounds of waste and hit the sweet spot in terms of size. However, if you have two layers coming off your roof, consider the 20 cubic yard unit, as it is smaller than the largest unit, yet can handle the weight generated in a larger roofing project.
You want an affordable dumpster rental service, but you also want reliability. A roofing dumpster rental company that will help you get the unit you need is A City Suburban Dumpsters. We’ve got years of experience working with roofing contractors and homeowners who are taking on roofing projects that generate thousands of pounds of waste. Our online renting portal gives you all the information you need, from pricing to identifying the right sized dumpster. We’re fast but reliable, and we’re an affordable dumpster rental company, yet bring a lot of value to your project. If you’ve got questions, contact us at 773-295-0303.