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Tear-Off Debris and Dumpster Calculator
Weigh the tear-off before the can shows up: tons by material and layers, and the container size that will not trigger overage fees.
Tear-off debris and dumpster calculator
Get your square count from the roof area calculator; it can send the number here.
Estimated tear-off weight
4.4tons
8,800 lbs including underlayment and debris
- Suggested containerSized by weight, not volume
- 30 yard dumpster
- Material
- Architectural asphalt shingles
Shingle loads hit dumpster weight limits long before they fill the can. Tell the hauler it is roofing debris and confirm the included tonnage and the per-ton overage rate before the can drops.
Assumptions
- Weights per square per layer: 3-tab 230, architectural 320, cedar 350, clay tile 800, slate 900, concrete tile 950, metal 120 lbs.
- A 10% factor covers underlayment, flashing, and general job debris. Wet material weighs meaningfully more.
- Typical included weight allowances run 2 to 3 tons on a 10 yard and 3 to 5 tons on 20 to 30 yard cans; every hauler differs.
All results are informational estimates based on the stated assumptions, not a quote or professional advice. Verify measurements and pricing with a licensed local contractor. Full disclaimer.
Debris math, the way haulers see it
A dumpster has two limits and roofing only ever hits one of them. By volume, a 20 yard can swallows a big tear-off with room to spare; by weight, it may max out at 3 or 4 tons, which is 25 squares of architectural shingle and not one bundle more. That is why this calculator works in pounds: material weight per square, times layers, times a 10 percent factor for underlayment, flashing scraps, and the general confetti a tear-off produces. The container recommendation keys on tonnage, because that is what the invoice keys on.
The weights are the planning numbers the trade uses: 230 pounds per square per layer for 3-tab, 320 for architectural (heavier mat, more asphalt), 350 for cedar, 800 to 950 for tile, 900 for slate, and a merciful 120 for metal panels. Wet material weighs more; a tear-off after a week of rain can run 15 to 20 percent over these numbers, which is worth remembering before you load a can to its exact limit.
Ordering the can like you have done it before
- Say the words "shingle tear-off." Haulers price roofing debris differently from household junk, and many run dedicated shingle cans with honest tonnage allowances (and sometimes recycling rates).
- Confirm three numbers: included tons, per-ton overage rate, and rental days. The cheapest headline can with a 1 ton allowance is the most expensive can on a roofing job.
- Spot it where the roof is. Every foot between the eave and the can is a wheelbarrow trip or a plywood chute. Driveway protection (plywood under the rails) is cheap insurance.
- Tile and slate are their own game. The weight numbers get industrial fast: a 20 square concrete tile roof is over 10 tons. Plan multiple pulls or a swap-out schedule with the hauler instead of praying over one 30 yard can.
- Two layers means two layers of everything. More weight, more nails in the magnet sweep, more felt fragments in the shrubs. Bid and staff accordingly.
For homeowners reading a bid
Disposal shows up on estimates as "dump fees," "haul-off," or inside a tear-off line. On a typical asphalt job it is a few hundred dollars; on tile it is a real number. If a bid seems oddly cheap, this is one of the quiet places corners get cut, and debris that does not go in a can has a way of ending up in your flower beds. It is a fair question to ask any contractor: what size can, and who pays overage?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a roof tear-off weigh?
Figure roughly 230 lbs per square per layer for 3-tab, 320 for architectural, and 800 to 950 for tile, plus about 10 percent for underlayment and debris. A typical 25 square architectural tear-off runs about 4.4 tons; the same roof in concrete tile is over 10.
What size dumpster do I need for a roof?
For shingle tear-offs the binding constraint is weight, not volume. A 20 square single-layer 3-tab job fits a 15 yard can; 25 squares of architectural wants a 20 to 30 yard with a real weight allowance; tile jobs usually mean multiple pulls. Always confirm included tonnage.
Why did the hauler charge overage on a can that was not full?
Because shingles are dense. The can hit its weight allowance (often 2 to 4 tons) at half volume, and the per-ton overage rate applied. This is the most common surprise line on roofing disposal, and asking for the shingle rate up front avoids it.
Does a second layer really double the disposal cost?
Close to it. Two layers is twice the material weight, plus the older bottom layer often comes up in fragments with more nails and felt. It is a real reason second-layer tear-offs price 10 percent or more above single-layer jobs.
Can shingles be recycled instead of landfilled?
In many markets, yes: asphalt shingles get ground for road base and hot-mix asphalt. Recyclers sometimes beat landfill tipping fees. Availability is regional, so ask haulers whether a shingle-recycling can is an option where you are.