When replacing a shingle roof, approximating the weight of the roof debris produced during the tear-off process is an essential part of minimizing the cost of disposal. Understanding the weight of your shingles makes it easier to select a dumpster offering the right weight allowance and helps you avoid or minimize expensive overweight charges (up to $100 per ton in some areas).

Step one to saving money on roofing disposal is to estimate how much the shingles weigh that you’re tearing off the roof.

Roofing shingles load into the dumpster very densely compared to other wastes, such as household junk or trash.  So packing a 10 yard or 20 yard dumpster to the rim can make it very heavy and sometimes lead to an expensive overweight charge when your container is weighed at the landfill or shingle recycling center.

Use the information below to help determine how much your roofing debris will weigh and how best to avoid incurring any overage fees.

How much does a bundle of shingles weigh?

One way to estimate the total weight of your old shingles is to know the total weight of the new shingles your putting on.  You can multiply the weight of a bundle of shingles by the total number of bundles ordered for your job to get a rough estimate.

(Weight of 1 bundle) X (total bundles) X (number of shingle layers) = estimated weight

This estimate may be a bit high because your old shingles have lost some of their granules, making each shingle slightly lighter than a newer shingle.

The vast majority of roof shingle bundles weigh between 50 and 80 lbs. Architectural style shingles generally weigh 65 to 80 lbs. per bundle, while 3 tab shingles weigh 50 to 65 lbs. per bundle.

It’s important to note that bundles can vary significantly in weight depending upon the quality of shingle.  For example, shingles with a 30 year warranty will weigh more than shingles with a 20 year warranty.  Type and style of shingle has a big impact as well, architectural shingles weigh more than 3-tab.

How much does a square of shingles weigh?

If you know the “number of square” of your roof, you can estimate weight that way as well.  A square—equivalent to 100 square feet—is a standard unit of measurement in the roofing industry. Typically, three bundles of shingles will cover one square—33 sq. ft. per bundle. For the thickest of shingles, it may take four bundles per square—25 sq. ft. per bundle.

On average, one square of shingles typically weighs 150 to 240 lbs. The thickest and most dense roofing shingles may weigh 320 to 400 lbs. per square.

As previously mentioned, the weight of shingles does vary by type and by manufacturer. Architectural shingles are thicker and heavier than basic 3-tab shingles. If removing and disposing of architectural shingles, estimate the total weight of the debris using figures on the higher end of the scale (e.g., 80 lbs. per bundle). It’s always better to overestimate the weight of roofing debris as opposed to underestimating.

Calculate roof size to determine total weight of the tear-off debris

Determine roof size by measuring the length and width of each face and then add them together to reach a total square footage of the roof. This is relatively easy for simple roof designs, such as basic hip, gable, or flat roofs. Complicated roofs will be tougher to measure, but taking the time to measure it accurately can save you money in the long run on disposal costs and on the purchase of new product.

Once the square footage of the roof is determined, you can estimate the amount of roofing debris that will be generated during the tear-off. From there, you can estimate the total weight of the debris. Finally, you can then choose the right dumpster to accommodate the cleanup.

Example: A roof that measures 2,000 sq. ft. translates into 20 square. The type of shingle is a traditional 3-tab asphalt shingle. The weight of one square of 3-tab shingles typically ranges from 150 to 195 lbs. We’ll use the higher number to ensure the weight allowance of the dumpster doesn’t become a factor. Take 195 lbs. multiplied by 20 square, and the result is 3,900 lbs., or nearly 2 tons. In this example, the roof tear-off would result in about 2 tons of shingle debris, and that’s the figure to use when determining the ideal dumpster size for the cleanup.

Don’t forget, many homes have multiple layers of shingles

It’s not uncommon for a house to have two or more layers of shingles. Do not forget to factor this into your equation when calculating the estimated weight of the roofing debris. If there are two layers, multiply the debris weight by two; three layers, multiply it by three; and so on.

If tearing off dimensional shingles, odds are there are no layers of shingles underneath. Multiple layers will generally only apply when removing 3-tab shingles, although it’s a good idea to check by removing a small section of shingles before ordering your dumpster.

‘Weight allowance’ may impact cost more than ‘dumpster size’

A larger dumpster generally costs more than a smaller dumpster. But with roofing shingle debris, it’s just as important to know the amount of weight that is included in the price of your rental.

Other cost factors to consider

When disposing of shingles, there are usually other wastes that go along with it, including felt/waterproofing and nails. The weight of these items are negligible and probably won’t make a big impact on the weight of the debris load.

However, if plywood decking is damaged and needs to be disposed of, that could add a measurable amount of weight and volume inside the dumpster. This is especially true if all, or a major portion, of the roof decking is being disposed of.

Gutters and flashing also add a bit of weight to the load, so don’t forget to plan ahead if disposing of this material. Some dumpster rental companies may require “clean loading” the roofing shingles, which refers to loading only shingles—no other wastes—in the dumpster. This is typically the case if the shingles are to be recycled.

Choosing the right dumpster size

Once you’ve determined the approximate amount of roofing debris you’re working with, it’s time to choose a roll-off container to dispose of it. If you give this information to our sales agents at Waste Solutions 123 over the phone, they will be able to recommend the ideal container size based on the type and amount of debris.

In most cases, a 10 or 20 yard dumpster will do the job. Some dumpster rental companies won’t allow roofing shingle debris in 30 or 40 yard bins due to weight. The weight of the shingles and the container itself can push the limits of the roll-off truck ‘s ability to lift the load.