November 12, 2026
Replacing your roof? Learn how much debris a shingle tear-off creates, which dumpster size handles it, and how to avoid overweight fees — from Salt Lake Valley's local dumpster company, Uinta Disposal.
Key Takeaways
- A single layer of asphalt shingles weighs roughly 230–250 pounds per square (100 sq. ft.), so a typical roof tear-off produces 2–5 tons of debris.
- For roofing, weight — not volume — is what fills your dumpster. Most single-layer residential roofs fit a 20-yard container.
- Uinta Disposal's flat-rate rentals include delivery, pickup, and 2 tons of disposal, with additional weight at a clear $55/ton — no hidden fees.
Your Roof Makes More Trash Than You Think
A roof replacement has two acts. The second — laying down bright new shingles — is the one homeowners picture. The first act is demolition: tearing off every old shingle, the underlayment beneath them, the flashing, the vents, and thousands of rusty nails. And unlike a kitchen remodel, where debris trickles out over weeks, a tear-off produces nearly all of its waste in a single day.
That speed is exactly why roofing and dumpsters belong together. A crew stripping a roof can't pause every hour to load a pickup and drive to a transfer station — and you don't want a growing mountain of shingle debris, studded with nails, sitting on your lawn or driveway any longer than it has to. A roll-off container parked at the edge of the roof does one simple thing: it lets the old roof go straight from the eaves into a steel box, and away.
But roofing debris is heavy — heavier, pound for pound, than almost any other residential waste. Choosing the right container for a tear-off means thinking in tons first and cubic yards second. Here's how to get it right.
The Math: How Much Does a Tear-Off Weigh?
Roofers measure a roof in "squares" — one square covers 100 square feet. The weight of your tear-off depends on the shingle type and, critically, how many layers are coming off:
- 3-tab shingles: about 230 pounds per square, per layer
- Architectural (dimensional) shingles: about 350–400 pounds per square, per layer
- Underlayment, felt, and flashing: add roughly 10% on top
Now apply that to real roofs:
- 1,200 sq. ft. roof (12 squares), one layer of 3-tab: about 1.5 tons
- 1,800 sq. ft. roof (18 squares), one layer of architectural: about 3.5 tons
- 2,000 sq. ft. roof (20 squares), two layers of architectural: 7 tons or more
Two discoveries surprise homeowners most. First, many older Salt Lake Valley homes have a second layer of shingles hiding under the first — a common shortcut from past re-roofs that doubles your debris weight instantly. Second, because shingles are so dense, a dumpster can reach its safe hauling weight while still looking half empty. With roofing, an "underfilled" container isn't a mistake — it's the plan.
Which Size Should You Rent?
At Uinta Disposal, every rental includes delivery, pickup, up to 7 days on site, and 2 tons of disposal in one flat rate. Additional weight is $55 per ton, clearly stated up front. With that in mind:
The 20-Yard Dumpster — $369
The workhorse for most residential re-roofs. It handles the tear-off from a typical single-layer roof up to roughly 2,000 square feet, and its compact footprint fits a standard driveway. Load shingles evenly across the floor of the container rather than heaping them in one spot, and keep the load level with the rim.
The 30-Yard Dumpster — $399
For large roofs, steep or multi-section roofs that generate extra waste, or two-layer tear-offs on smaller homes. The extra room also helps when the job includes more than shingles — rotted decking boards, old gutters, and fascia come off many roofs, and they need somewhere to go.
The 40-Yard Dumpster — $499
Rarely the right call for shingles alone — the weight adds up long before the volume does. The 40-yard earns its keep on full demolitions and major construction, or when a roofing project is combined with a big cleanout. If you're not sure, call us: we'd rather right-size you than rent you space you can't use.
One pro tip that saves real money: keep the roofing container dedicated to the tear-off. Shingles and roofing debris recycle and dispose differently than mixed household junk, and a clean, single-material load keeps your disposal straightforward and your weight predictable.
Placement and Timing Tips for Roofing Jobs
- Place the container as close to the roof's edge as the driveway allows. Every extra step across the yard is a step your crew takes carrying debris — and dropped shingles in the grass mean nails in the lawn later.
- Schedule delivery for the morning the tear-off starts. Roofing moves fast and is weather-driven; you want the box on site before the first shingle comes off, not after.
- Mind the 7-day window. Most residential re-roofs finish in 1–3 days, so a standard rental comfortably covers the job plus a weather delay — but if your project stretches, additional days are a flat $25/day. No surprises.
- Protect the surface. Let us know if your driveway is new concrete or pavers, and we'll talk through placement so the container sits where you want it.
- Keep it to roofing materials. Shingles, felt, underlayment, flashing, nails, and decking are all fine. Paint, solvents, and other hazardous materials are not — ask us about anything questionable before it goes in.
Why Roofers and Homeowners Across the Salt Lake Valley Choose Uinta
Whether you're a roofing contractor running tear-offs every week or a homeowner managing your own re-roof, you need the same three things: a container that shows up when promised, pricing you can put in a bid or a budget without asterisks, and a local team that answers the phone. Uinta Disposal is locally owned and operated right here in the Salt Lake Valley, with flat-rate pricing and no hidden fees — the price we quote includes delivery, pickup, and your first 2 tons.
Ready to line up your tear-off? Book your container in minutes on our online Booking Page, explore sizes and pricing at uintadisposal.com, or call us at 801-436-7004 and tell us your roof's square footage and how many layers you're tearing off. We'll match you to the right size — so on tear-off day, the only thing coming down is the old roof.
