Roof tear-offs are one of the most common jobs we deliver dumpsters for in Southeast Michigan, and they're also the job where people most often pick the wrong size. Shingles don't take up much room, but they are heavy. That means the weight allowance on the container matters far more than how many yards it holds.
How much do shingles weigh?
Roofers measure roofs in squares (100 square feet). A square of standard three-tab asphalt shingles weighs roughly 200 to 250 pounds. Architectural (dimensional) shingles run heavier, often 300 to 400 pounds per square. Add underlayment, flashing, and nails, and a torn-off roof adds up fast.
A typical Downriver ranch or bungalow is somewhere around 20 to 30 squares. At 300 pounds per square, a 25-square architectural roof is about 7,500 pounds, or 3.75 tons, from a single layer.
Which size we recommend
For most single-layer tear-offs on a single-family home, the 20 Yard Dumpster is the right container. It includes 4 tons (8,000 lb), and its low four-foot walls make it easy to toss shingles over the side from a ladder or a chute.
The 10 Yard Dumpster and 15 Yard Dumpster only include 2 tons. That covers a small roof, a garage, or a partial repair, but a full house will usually exceed it, and overage is $45 per ton. The 30 Yard Dumpster includes the same 4 tons as the 20 yard, so it doesn't buy you more weight; it's only worth it if you're also loading other bulky debris.
- Garage, shed, or small addition roof (under 10 squares): 10 Yard Dumpster or 15 Yard Dumpster
- Typical house, one layer (15–30 squares): 20 Yard Dumpster
- Large house or two layers: 20 Yard Dumpster, and call us about a swap-out or a second container
- Roof plus siding, windows, or interior demo: 30 Yard Dumpster
Two layers changes everything
Many older homes in Wyandotte, Allen Park, and Dearborn have a second layer of shingles under the visible one. That doubles the weight. If you're not sure, check at the roof edge or ask your roofer; it's worth knowing before you book because a two-layer tear-off on a large home can easily run 6 to 8 tons.
Tips for roofing crews
Place the dumpster as close to the eave as the driveway allows so debris can go straight in from the roof. Lay a tarp on the driveway around the container to catch stray nails, and run a magnet at the end. Keep the load level and below the rim; a heaped, overweight roofing dumpster can't be transported legally, and we'll have to ask for material to come out before pickup. And keep concrete, brick, and chimney rubble out of the container entirely; they're not accepted.
Related questions
By volume, far more than the weight allowance permits. The limiting factor is the 4-ton allowance, which covers roughly 25 to 35 squares of a single layer depending on shingle type. Two layers cuts that in half.
Yes, but only for a small roof. The 10 Yard Dumpster includes 2 tons, which is roughly 12 to 18 squares of shingles. A full house will go over.
Only if the dumpster goes on the street. Driveway placement doesn't require a permit in most Downriver cities. See our permit guide for details.