Roof tear-off / 40 squares
4,000 sq ft of roof · 120 bundles
Dumpster size for a 40 square roof
Stripping one layer of architectural shingles from a 40-square roof (4,000 sq ft) produces about 8,400 lb (4.2 tons) of shingles taking up 11 loose cubic yards. That needs a 30-yard dumpster: the debris fills 38% of the box, and weight is what sets the size.
- 1Roof 40 squares · 4,000 sq ft
- 2Bundles 120 (1 layer)
- 3Tear-off weight 8,400 lb
- 4Dumpster 30-yard
How the 40-square figure is worked out
A square is 100 sq ft of roof. GAF's Timberline HDZ architectural shingle is sold at 70 lb a bundle and 3 bundles a square, so 210 lb a square; GAF's Royal Sovereign 3-tab is 62 lb a bundle, 186 lb a square. Multiplying by 40 gives 8,400 lb and 7,440 lb. Loose shingles take space at EPA's figure of 731 lb per cubic yard for composition roofing, so the architectural tear-off fills 11 cubic yards. Nails, underlayment and flashing add a little to both numbers.
The size comes from Republic Services' published weight capacities. By volume alone the shingles would fit a smaller box, but 4.2 tons is more than the 2-ton low end of the 10- and 15-yard capacities and the 4-ton low end of the 20-yard, so the 30-yard (6–7 tons) is the first that carries it.
Two layers, 3-tab and heavy shingles
| Shingle | 1 layer | Size | 2 layers | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural (laminated) shingles (210 lb/sq) | 8,400 lb | 30 yd | 16,800 lb | 2 × 30 yd |
| 3-tab shingles (186 lb/sq) | 7,440 lb | 20 yd | 14,880 lb | 40 yd |
| Heavyweight designer shingles (360 lb/sq) | 14,400 lb | 40 yd | 28,800 lb | 2 × 40 yd |
A second layer doubles the weight to 16,800 lb, which takes 2 hauls of a 30-yard. Heavyweight designer shingles such as Owens Corning's Berkshire (360 lb a square nominal) weigh 14,400 lb for one layer. If you do not know how many layers are on the roof, check at a gable edge or a vent before ordering.
What the published rental prices include
Bin There Dump That (New Hampshire franchise) lists a 20-yard in New Hampshire at $750 with 2 tons included, 2.2 tons short of this tear-off; Bin There Dump That (Central Massachusetts franchise) lists a 20-yard in Central Massachusetts at $700 with 3 tons included, 1.2 tons short of this tear-off; Bin There Dump That (Northeast Massachusetts franchise) lists a 20-yard in Northeast Massachusetts at $760 with 2 tons included, 2.2 tons short of this tear-off. Its 10-yard listings stop at "100 bundles or 33sq", fewer than 40 squares. Weight over the included tons is billed as an overage; none of these pages prints the rate. See published rental prices.
Hauling it yourself: town transfer-station fees
40 squares of shingles is about 5 loads of an 8-ft pickup bed (2.5 cubic yards each). Where a town publishes a shingle rate, the same tear-off would cost:
- Brookline, NH at $250 per cubic yard: $2,873. Who may use it: Brookline residents only, with a free permit issued on proof of residence. No commercial use. Load sizes and charges are set by the certified solid waste operator.
- Canterbury, NH at $75 per cubic yard: $862. The schedule does not say who may use the station. Tires over 16 inches and propane tanks over 30 lb are not accepted.
- Danbury, NH at $100 per pickup load: $500 for 5 loads (one load a day). The schedule does not say who may use the station. One construction load per day.
- Derry, NH at $0.11 per pound: $924. Who may use it: Derry residents for household trash; non-residents may bring only items they pay to dispose of, at the non-resident rate. Construction and demolition debris is defined to include treated or untreated wood waste, shingles, sheetrock, logs over 5 inches in diameter, insulation and plywood.
Most stations take residents only, and several refuse contractor loads, so check the town page before you plan trips.
Other roof sizes
35 squares · 50 squares · all roof sizes · asphalt shingle weight per yard · guide: roofing dumpster size by squares.
Sources: GAF Timberline HDZ listing; GAF Royal Sovereign listing; Owens Corning product guide; EPA volume-to-weight factors; Republic Services size pages. Read 2026-10-20. Methodology.