Roof tear-off / 50 squares
5,000 sq ft of roof · 150 bundles
Dumpster size for a 50 square roof
Stripping one layer of architectural shingles from a 50-square roof (5,000 sq ft) produces about 10,500 lb (5.3 tons) of shingles taking up 14 loose cubic yards. That needs a 30-yard dumpster: the debris fills 48% of the box, and weight is what sets the size.
- 1Roof 50 squares · 5,000 sq ft
- 2Bundles 150 (1 layer)
- 3Tear-off weight 10,500 lb
- 4Dumpster 30-yard
How the 50-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 50 gives 10,500 lb and 9,300 lb. Loose shingles take space at EPA's figure of 731 lb per cubic yard for composition roofing, so the architectural tear-off fills 14 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 5.3 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. That is the same size as for a 40-square roof.
Two layers, 3-tab and heavy shingles
| Shingle | 1 layer | Size | 2 layers | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural (laminated) shingles (210 lb/sq) | 10,500 lb | 30 yd | 21,000 lb | 2 × 30 yd |
| 3-tab shingles (186 lb/sq) | 9,300 lb | 30 yd | 18,600 lb | 2 × 30 yd |
| Heavyweight designer shingles (360 lb/sq) | 18,000 lb | 2 × 30 yd | 36,000 lb | 3 × 30 yd |
A second layer doubles the weight to 21,000 lb, which takes 2 hauls of a 30-yard. Heavyweight designer shingles such as Owens Corning's Berkshire (360 lb a square nominal) weigh 18,000 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, 3.3 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, 2.3 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, 3.3 tons short of this tear-off. Its 10-yard listings stop at "100 bundles or 33sq", fewer than 50 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
50 squares of shingles is about 6 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:
- Derry, NH at $0.11 per pound: $1,155. 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.
- Laconia, NH at $170 per ton: $893. Who may use it: Laconia property owners and residents (annual sticker or day pass), and out-of-town contractors working for a Laconia resident with a contract or owner's note. Every vehicle stops at the scale house, even for free items.
- Merrimack, NH at $185 per ton (loads of 1,000 lb or less free): $971. Who may use it: Residents with a windshield decal (NH driver's license and current registration), and commercial haulers for waste generated in Merrimack. A load over 1,000 lb is charged for its whole weight, not just the part above 1,000 lb.
- New Boston, NH at $0.14 per pound ($5 minimum): $1,470. Who may use it: Residential users with a resident disposal sticker or a no-charge special permit from the Town Office; New Boston-generated materials only. Credit cards carry a 3.99% convenience fee.
Most stations take residents only, and several refuse contractor loads, so check the town page before you plan trips.
Other roof sizes
40 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.