You’ve probably spent some time thinking about what type of materials you want to use as you plan your roof replacement project, and whether you’ll have to tear off old layers of roofing and how much all of that will cost. In fact, you’ve probably gotten multiple estimates from trusted contractors in your area. However, have you considered what type of dumpster you’ll need for all the debris that a roofing project generates?

The first step is to figure out what type of shingles you have on your roof and whether or not they will come off before your new roofing system is installed. That matters, because some shingle types are heavier than others. And dumpsters have a weight limit.

The standard shingle is called a “three-tab” shingle, which is among the most commonly used and is lighter than the larger “architectural” shingles. If your home is older and was shingled with older materials no longer produced, ask your roofing contractor their opinion on how much they weigh.

Doing the math for asphalt shingles

Your roofing contractor might talk in language you’re accustomed to so ask questions. For instance, have you heard them talk in terms of “square?” In the roofing industry, they’ll say your house is “20 square,” which means your roof has an area of 2,000 square feet. Each square, if you haven’t already done the math, is 100 square feet.

Typically, three bundles of shingles will cover 100 square feet, or one square. Each bundle of three tab shingles weighs between 60 and 80 pounds. So, if you’ve got a 2,000 square foot roof, you’ll have approximately 3,600 to 4,800 pounds of shingles being removed from your roof and going into your dumpster rental.

Weighing in on other materials

If you are tearing off materials other than asphalt shingles, consider the following guideline for the most typical weight per square foot of each material:

  • Copper – .85 lbs
  • Wood shingles – 4.5 lbs
  • Slate – 10 lbs
  • Clay tile – 12-20 lbs
  • Fiberglass shingles – 4.5 lbs
  • Aluminum – .50 lbs
  • Concrete tile – 8 to 10 lbs

Other materials to consider

Of course, the shingles aren’t the only objects coming off your roof and going into your dumpster. Underlayment, which is commonly referred to as felt paper, and nails also can add weight to the project.

To get an estimate of how much felt paper will add to the weight of your dumpster, you must consider that there are different sizes used by roofers, and it’s categorized as 15, 30 or 45 pound paper.

Fifteen-pound paper weighs around .2 pounds per square foot. Thirty-pound paper weighs about .3 pounds per square foot, and 45-pound paper comes in at .5 pounds per square foot. This means if you’ve got a 2,000-square-foot roof, you’re accumulating 400 to 1,000 extra pounds in felt paper alone.

The first step is to figure out what type of shingles you have on your roof and whether or not they will come off before your new roofing system is installed. This is important because some are shingle types are heavier than others. And dumpsters, while categorized in cubic yards, also have a weight limit

Renting a dumpster for roofing renovations

Don’t risk getting the wrong size unit – call an expert and get their opinion. At Hayes Services, we are the expert for the Connecticut Shoreline and New London County. Our roll off dumpster rental services give you the assurances you need that your project to go off without a hitch. Call us at (860) 739-2273. We’re fast, reliable and ready to assist.

At Hayes Services, we provide worry free, reliable and fast commercial and residential dumpster services. Low prices, a variety of sizes, same day and hassle free rentals are what we provide, so contact us today and let’s talk about your next project.

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