Dumpster Rental for Roofing

​While it’s not the most exciting investment you’ll ever make, a new roof is one of the best ways to help protect your home and everything in it. You’ve chosen your contractor, ordered the shingles and other materials, pulled your permit, and scheduled the date… Good. But there’s one thing you’re missing… Your dumpster! Rather than just picking a name out of the phone book, be sure educate yourself on your options.

When calling various haulers for quotes, you’ll first want to communicate the number of “square” on your roof, or the number of bundles purchased, which will help determine the size dumpster you will need. One square of shingles is the equivalent of 100 square feet. (There are three bundles per square.) Standard 3-tab shingles weigh approximately 250 pounds per square while architectural shingles weight closer to 360 pounds per square. Remember, some older homes may have multiple layers, which you’ll have to take into account; your dumpster needs will double with two layers, triple with three layers, etc. For a rough estimate of what container size to expect for your project, use the chart below:

​Container Size --> Capacity
 10-yard -->30 square
15-yard --> 45 square
20-yard --> 60 square
 30-yard --> 90 square

​So for example, a 2,500 square foot roof with a single layer of 3-tab shingles would equal 25 square and 6,250 pounds, which would require a 10-yard container. A 1,800 square foot roof with a double layer of 3-tab shingles would equal 36 square and 9,000 pounds, which would require a 15-yard container.

Some homeowners like to use the dumpster to dispose of other household items after the roofing project is complete, so it’s best to ask the hauler upfront what specific materials can be placed in the dumpster. Most haulers participate in shingle recycling programs, but they are unable to if the load contains anything aside from mixed roofing materials like asphalt singles, tar paper, nails, plastic wrappers, and metal/aluminum edging. Wood and household items would cause rejection from recycling. 

If you are getting your shingles and other materials delivered to your home before the project commences, plan it so that you receive them before the dumpster drop. If you get your dumpster first, you run the risk of it potentially prohibiting the supplier from loading shingles onto the roof… Most contractors will appreciate having all the materials in the correct spots before they arrive to start the job.

Some haulers use single axle trucks—which are lighter and more maneuverable—that provide less risk for damage to residential driveways. Still, asphalt and concrete driveways can get marked when dropping/picking up the dumpster; this is especially true of asphalt in high heat. The best precaution is to lay down a 4x8 sheet of plywood or a couple of 2x6 planks, depending on the dumpster size you’ll be receiving. 

And, as the construction date nears, be sure to constantly check the weather! Have plenty of tarps ready in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate with your project plans. When in doubt, go bigger in size… It’ll be cheaper in the long run.