Roof Replacement Dumpster Guide: How Many Bins You Need by Roof Size and Shingle Layers

If you are planning a roof replacement, the first question is usually simple: how big a bin do I need? The honest answer depends on two things most people overlook. One is the weight of the old shingles. The other is how many layers are on the roof right now.

This guide explains both, and shows which size works for which roof, so you can rent a disposal bin once and get it right the first time.

Why Shingles Are Heavy: Weight, Not Volume

Most homeowners judge a bin by how much it can hold. For roofing, that is the wrong measure. Asphalt shingles are dense, flat and tightly stacked, so a bin fills its weight allowance long before it fills its space.

Here is the rule of thumb roofers use. Roofing is measured in squares, and one square covers 100 square feet of roof (the NRCA roofing glossary defines it the same way). One square of old asphalt shingles, with underlayment and nails, usually weighs somewhere between 200 and 350 pounds. The exact number depends on the shingle type and how much water the old roof has absorbed.

That range shifts with a few factors:

• Shingle type: Architectural (laminated) shingles are heavier than basic three-tab shingles.

• Age and moisture: Old shingles hold granules and grime. After rain, they hold water too.

• Underlayment and nails: Felt paper, ice-and-water membrane and thousands of roofing nails all add weight.

• Decking: If rotted plywood or boards are replaced, they add to the load.

Every rental bin comes with a set weight allowance, and our bin sizes include 1 ton and 7 days. A 14-yard bin has the space for a lot of shingles, but a full tear-off on an average house will usually push past 1 ton. That is normal, not a sign you picked the wrong bin. Extra weight is billed by the kilogram, and our How It Works page explains the full process, so there are no surprises on the final bill.

Tip from the field: Roofing jobs rarely fail because the bin was too small to hold the shingles. They fail because the homeowner planned for volume and forgot about weight, or because a second layer was hiding under the first.

Which Dumpster Bin Suits Which Roof Size

Use this table as a planning guide. Weights are estimates based on 200 to 300 pounds per square for a single layer, and they roughly double for two layers. Your roofer can give you an exact square count, since roof pitch and complexity change the total.

Roof size	Layers	Suggested bin	Likely weight vs. the 1 ton included
Small, 10 squares (about 1,000 sq ft)	1	10 or 14-yard	About 1 to 1.5 tons. At or slightly over
Medium, 15 squares	1	14-yard	About 1.5 to 2.25 tons. Over
Typical, 20 to 25 squares	1	14-yard	About 2 to 3.75 tons. Well over
Large, 30 squares	1	14-yard (tight fit) or 20-yard	About 3 to 4.5 tons. Well over
Medium, 15 squares	2	14-yard	About 3 to 4.5 tons. Well over
Typical, 20 to 25 squares	2	Two 14-yard hauls or a 20-yard bin	About 4 to 7.5 tons. Far over

A few notes on reading the table:

• Square footage of the house is not roof size. A 1,800 sq ft single-story home can have a roof of 2,200 sq ft or more once overhangs, pitch and dormers are counted.

• The 14-yard bin is the workhorse. The 14-yard bin measures 12 ft long by 7 ft wide, so it is compact enough for most driveways and holds a full single-layer roof on most homes.

• Heavy loads usually must stay below the fill line. Bins carrying dense material often cannot be packed to the brim. Confirm the rule when you book.

• Steep or cut-up roofs create more waste. Valleys, hips and many penetrations mean more offcuts and more tear-off debris.

Not sure about your layers? Look at the roof edge at the eaves, or ask your roofer to check. Two layers show as a thicker stack of shingle edges. This quick check can save you from ordering one bin when you need two.

Tear-Off, Flat Roof and Re-Shingle Scenarios

Not every roof job is the same. Here is how the three most common projects affect your bin.

Full tear-off (single layer)

This is the most common job. The crew strips shingles and underlayment down to the deck, then installs new materials. For a typical home, one 14-yard bin covers it. Plan for the weight to exceed the included ton, and schedule delivery the evening before or the morning of the tear-off so the crew can load directly from the roof.

Tear-off with two or more layers

Older homes often have a roof laid over an earlier roof. Two layers mean double the shingles, and the lower layer is often packed with old nails and debris. Building codes in many areas limit how many layers a roof may carry, and most require removal when replacing past two layers, so check your local rules. For dumpster bin, plan on one of these:

1. A 20-yard bin, if one fits your driveway.

2. A 14-yard bin plus a swap. The first bin goes out when full, and a second arrives, often the same day.

Tell the provider about the layers when you book. Mid-job surprises are the most common reason for last-minute second bin orders.

Flat roof removal

Flat and low-slope roofs are a different material. The weight depends on what is on top:

• Modified bitumen, EPDM or TPO membranes are lighter than shingles per square foot, but they come off in heavy, awkward sheets.

• Built-up roofs (tar and gravel) are very heavy. Gravel alone can push a small roof past a bin's weight limit.

• Wet insulation underneath can add a lot of unexpected weight.

Because of this, a flat roof of the same square footage can weigh more or less than a shingle roof. Describe the roof type to your provider rather than only the size.

Re-shingle (overlay) projects

A roof overlay installs new shingles directly over the old ones. It produces almost no disposal waste, usually just packaging, cut-offs and a few damaged pieces. A small bin is enough. Keep in mind that overlays are only allowed where code permits and the existing roof is sound. Many roofers recommend a full tear-off so the deck can be inspected.

Placement and Protecting Your Driveway

Where the bin sits matters almost as much as which bin you choose. The goal is to put it close to the work, while keeping your property safe.

• Place it near the eave. Crews throw or chute shingles down. The closer the bin is to the roof edge, the faster the job and the fewer nails in your lawn.

• Protect the surface. A loaded bin is very heavy. Ask for plywood sheets or wooden boards under the bin edges to spread the weight and prevent scratches or cracks on asphalt and concrete.

• Leave truck clearance. A roll-off truck needs a long, straight approach and room above to tilt the bin. Check for low branches and overhead wires before delivery day.

• Avoid soft ground. Lawns, septic areas and fresh pavers can sink or crack under the load.

• Sweep for nails. Roofing nails travel. Run a magnetic sweeper over the driveway, lawn and street after loading. Flat tires are an unwelcome side effect of roof jobs.

Lastly, keep the bin accessible on pickup day. Park vehicles elsewhere and keep the path clear. If your roof job is in Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Milton or Hamilton, our team can deliver the bin and place it where your crew needs it.

What Can't Go in With the Shingles

Shingle loads are often handled as a specific material type, so mixing in other waste can cause problems. Rules differ by provider and by local landfill, so confirm yours, and read our items policy before you load. In general, keep these out of a roofing bin:

• Paint, solvents, roofing cement and adhesive cans

• Asbestos-containing materials. Older roofs may contain asbestos in roofing felts and shingles. Workplace Safety & Prevention Services notes that many buildings from roughly 1930 to 1982 may contain it, and in Ontario the work is covered by Ontario Regulation 278/05. If you suspect it, have the roof tested before tear-off.

• Household junk, furniture and mattresses

• Appliances, tires and batteries

• Electronics and fluorescent bulbs

• Liquids and wet, sloppy waste

Metal flashing, vents, rotted decking and packaging from the new materials are often accepted along with the shingles, but ask first. If your roof job is part of a larger cleanout, a second bin for general debris is usually simpler than risking a rejected or reclassified load.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big a bin do I need for a roof replacement?

For a typical single-layer roof of 20 to 25 squares, one 14-yard bin is the usual answer. Small roofs may fit a 10-yard bin, and very large or two-layer roofs may need a 20-yard bin or a second haul.

How many squares are in my roof?

One square equals 100 square feet of roof surface. Your roofer's estimate should state the total. You can also measure the roof footprint and adjust for pitch, but a professional measurement is more reliable.

Will one bin handle two layers of shingles?

Usually not. Two layers roughly double the weight, so plan on two hauls or a larger bin, depending on roof size.

When should the bin arrive?

The day before tear-off, or early that morning. Booking a few days ahead helps in busy roofing seasons, since weather delays often cause roofers to shift schedules.

Can I put roofing and other renovation waste in the same bin?

It depends on your provider. Roofing material is dense and often handled separately from general waste. Ask before mixing, or rent a separate bin for other debris.

Ready to Book the Right Size?

Tell us your roof size, the number of layers and your delivery address, and we will recommend the right size. You can book your bin online, see the 14-yard bin details, or contact us or call (647) 808-4044 if you are unsure.