Why roofing weight matters more than volume
Homeowners often assume a tear-off is a volume problem, pile the shingles high and move on. In reality, roofing debris is a weight problem. A single square of asphalt shingles (100 square feet) weighs between 150 and 200 pounds. Add the underlayment, ice-and-water shield, and fasteners, and that square pushes closer to 220 pounds. Over a 20-square roof, you are looking at 3 to 4 tonnes of material before the bin even leaves your driveway.
This is why a general-purpose bin often disappoints on a roofing job. A 20 yard container might seem roomy, but roofing waste fills it by weight long before it reaches the top rail. The transfer station scale ticket will show you exceeded your tonnage allowance, and overage charges apply at the point of disposal. Understanding the weight per square before you book saves you from that surprise at invoicing.
Which bin size fits a residential tear-off
A 10 yard bin holds about 140 roofing bundles, roughly 14 to 16 squares. This works for a typical single-story home or a two-story with a modest footprint. A 14 yard bin accommodates around 180 bundles, which covers most two-story residential tear-offs. Larger homes or multi-building projects need a 20 yard bin, though the weight allowance becomes the limiting factor before the volume does.
The reason roofing stays in smaller bins is density. Shingles compress under their own weight during transport, so a 10 yard container holds far more roofing material than it would hold, say, drywall or insulation. This is an advantage: you avoid the cost of a larger bin when a smaller one does the job.
Understanding tonnage allowance on the scale ticket
Every bin rental includes a tonnage allowance, the weight you can dispose of before overage kicks in. A 10 yard bin typically includes about 1.5 tonnes. A 14 yard carries roughly 1.5 to 2 tonnes. A 20 yard includes 2 tonnes. Example ranges vary by facility and region, but the principle is the same: you pay a flat rate for the bin, and that rate covers a set weight.
On a roofing job, that allowance fills quickly. A 16-square tear-off weighs 2.4 to 3.2 tonnes depending on the number of layers you are removing. If you book a 10 yard bin with a 1.5 tonne allowance, you will exceed it. Overage charges, typically around $120 per tonne, example range, apply at the scale. The invoice arrives with the scale ticket attached, showing exactly how much you paid in overage.
The math is straightforward: estimate your square footage, divide by 10 to get squares, multiply by 200 pounds per square, convert to tonnes, and compare to the bin's allowance. If the weight is close, move up a size.
Why a dedicated bin saves money on roofing
A dedicated bin means the container sits on your property for the duration of the tear-off, loaded only with roofing waste. You are not mixing in drywall, lumber, or general debris. This matters because roofing material goes to a specific disposal stream at the transfer station, often at a different rate than mixed waste.
When you book a roofing tear-off bin through Windsordumpster, the driver delivers an empty container, leaves it for your crew, and picks it up when the job is done. The scale ticket reflects only roofing waste, so you pay the inert or roofing rate, not a blended rate. Over a large job, this separation saves hundreds of dollars compared to mixing materials and paying a higher disposal fee.
Dedicated bins also protect your driveway. Roofing shingles are sticky and leave tar residue. Keeping them isolated prevents staining concrete or asphalt around the bin placement area.
Accounting for multiple layers in older homes
Many Windsor homes have roofs with two or three layers of shingles. Code allows up to two layers in most jurisdictions, but older homes sometimes exceed that. Removing all layers is standard practice before a new roof goes on.
Each layer adds roughly 150 to 200 pounds per square. A two-layer tear-off on a 20-square roof weighs 4 to 5 tonnes. A three-layer removal can exceed 6 tonnes. If you are unsure how many layers exist, a roofer can inspect and tell you before work begins. Armed with that number, you can calculate the bin size you actually need rather than guessing and paying overage later.
- Single layer: 150–200 lbs per square
- Two layers: 300–400 lbs per square
- Three layers: 450–600 lbs per square
Street placement and permit requirements
If your driveway cannot fit a bin, the container goes on the street. The municipality issues street placement permits, which typically cost between $20 and $150 and take several days to several weeks to issue depending on the jurisdiction. Some areas require the permit before delivery; others allow the bin to be placed and the permit obtained afterward.
Check with the municipality before booking. If a permit is needed, apply early. Delays in permitting delay your rental start date, and you do not want to rent a bin sitting idle while paperwork clears. Our team at Windsordumpster can advise on local requirements, but the permit itself is your responsibility to obtain.
Permits and placement details vary by neighborhood, so confirm before the truck arrives.
Rental period and extra days for tear-offs
A roofing tear-off usually takes one to three days for a residential home, depending on crew size and weather. Standard rental periods range from 7 to 10 days on smaller bins, which gives you buffer time for weather delays or scheduling changes. If the job runs longer, extra days cost around $10 per day on a 10 yard bin and $25 per day on larger sizes.
Plan conservatively. A rain delay or a supply shortage can extend the timeline. It is cheaper to book a longer rental upfront than to pay daily extensions after the fact. Communicate the expected duration to Windsordumpster when you book, and we will set the rental period to match.
What belongs in a roofing bin and what does not
Asphalt shingles, underlayment, ice-and-water shield, and roofing nails all go in the bin. Flashing, gutters, and downspouts can go in, though some facilities charge differently for metal. Ask before the job starts.
Do not put these in a roofing bin: paint, solvents, fuels, oils, or any liquid waste. Tar paper and felt underlayment are fine, but if the roof has been treated with a chemical sealant or contains asbestos (common in homes built before the 1980s), contact the municipality or a hazardous waste depot before proceeding. Prohibited items that reach the scale trigger a refusal fee and may be left at the facility.
How to book a roofing bin for your Windsor project
Start by estimating your roof size in squares. If you do not know, a roofer or the home inspector report often has it. Multiply squares by 200 pounds to estimate total weight, then add 20 percent for underlayment and fasteners. Compare that total to the tonnage allowance on each bin size.
Contact Windsordumpster with your square footage, number of layers, and preferred delivery date. We will recommend a bin size and rental period based on the weight and timeline. The quote includes the tonnage allowance and flat rate; the scale ticket sent with the invoice shows the actual weight disposed. If you stay within the allowance, there are no surprises.
How it works walks through the full process, from booking to pickup.