Roofing Shingles Projects: 5 Tips On Finding The Right Size Dumpster

When it’s time to replace the roof on a house, many considerations must be taken into account. At first, the most critical part is finding the right shingles and related materials. However, there’s more to a roofing project than this. You also must account for the waste that is inevitably created during roofing projects. There are old shingles, flashing, felt paper, nails, copper, as well as other building and roofing debris that must be disposed of properly.

The best option for safely containing construction waste before removal is with a Discount Dumpster Rental. Dumpsters can be rented in a wide range of sizes to suit any project's demands. It’s essential to determine the relative weight of the roofing shingles and other waste that will be created since dumpsters have size limits. Here are five quick tips on how to determine which size dumpster is the right one for your roofing job.

1. Consider Shingle Types

The most common shingle used for roofing is called a three-tab shingles and is slightly larger than other types. Architectural shingles are a little smaller and lighter. If your home is very old and you’re unsure what type of materials it’s shingled with and how much they weigh, it’s essential to call a roofing contractor so they can give you some advice or a general estimate.

2. Calculate How Many Square Feet the Roof is

A bundle of asphalt shingles (three-tab) can weigh anywhere from 60 to 80 pounds. However, this varies depending on the size and quality of the shingles you have. The general rule of thumb is that three bundles of shingles can cover about one “square” of roof, which is equal to 100 square feet. That means just shingles on that part of the roof can weigh anywhere from 180 to almost 250 pounds, so you can see how the weight can add up quickly and why renting a dumpster can be so valuable. If your roof is 2,000 square feet, that adds up to almost 5,000 pounds of shingles.

3. Don’t Forget About Other Materials, Either

Besides the old shingles, many other materials also add weight to the total trash haul. Here’s some quick information that’s a general weight guide for the per square foot weight of standard roofing materials:

• Concrete tile: 8 to 10 lbs
• Wood shingles: 4 to 5 lbs
• Copper: .85 to 1 lb
• Slate: 10 lbs
• Aluminum: ½ lb
• Clay tile: 10 to 20 lbs
• Fiberglass shingles: 4 to 5 lbs

4. Take the Underlayment into Account

The underlayment, or the felt paper that goes beneath the shingles on the roof, also adds weight. The size of felt paper ranges from 15, 30, or 45-pound paper.

The 15-pound paper weighs roughly .2 lbs per square foot. 30-pound paper weighs about .3 pounds per square foot, and 45-pound paper weighs a whopping .5 pounds per square foot. To put this in perspective, let’s assume again that the roof being shingled is 2,000 square feet. The felt can add anywhere from 400 to 1,000 extra pounds of weight.

5. Find the Right Size Dumpster

If you think you need a smaller dumpster, typically, the smallest rented by rental companies is about six cubic yards and can hold around 3,000 lbs. However, these are only suitable for very small projects, like cleaning out a medium-sized shed or a garage, for instance contact oshkoshdumpsterrentals.com

The most common sizes utilized are the 10 or 15 cubic yard dumpsters, which hold 4,000 and 5,000 lbs, respectively. If you have a larger job to undertake, consider going for the 20 cubic yard option, which can hold around 7,000 lbs. This would be a good size for a normal-sized house roofing project.

Are you roofing a huge structure? If you’re undertaking an extensive roofing project, you probably want the 30 cubic yard option, which can hold a whopping 10,000 pounds of trash. That’s perfect for the largest construction or roofing jobs that produce a considerable amount of waste and debris.

Rent a Dumpster for Your Roofing or Construction Project

When it comes to any type of construction project, a dumpster is entirely necessary. However, roofing projects inevitably create a large amount of waste. That’s why it’s vital to spend some time calculating a rough estimate of how much waste will be created and then determining the right size dumpster to fit the job. With a dumpster rental, it’s quick, easy, and convenient to haul away any trash or debris, no matter how heavy or oversized it is.