How to Estimate Shingle Weight and Save on the Cost of Roof Disposal

Are you planning on installing a new roof on your residential or commercial property? Are you going to be doing the job yourself? If so, in order to dispose of the debris from your existing roof, renting a dumpster is a must. 

Before you make arrangements to rent a dumpster for your roof replacement project, it’s important to estimate the weight of the debris that you’ll need to dispose of. Doing so will help minimize the cost of the project. Why? Because dumpster rental services have different weight allowances, and if those allowances are exceeded, will more than likely charge additional fees for added weight. Depending on the company, the overage charges can be as much as $100 per ton! When compared to other types of waste, shingles tend to load up densely in a dumpster, which means that a 20-yard container packed to the rim can end up being exceptionally heavy. By estimating the shingle weight of your roof, you can avoid being hit by a costly, unexpected expense and can prepare your budget accordingly. But how do you go about estimating shingle weight? Here’s some handy information that you can use to calculate the weight of your roof debris and how to avoid getting hit with pricy overage fees. 

Learn About Shingle Weight

A good way to estimate how much your old shingles weigh is by estimating the weight of the new shingles before you install them. To do that, you can use the following formula: 

Weight of 1 shingle bundle x total number of shingle bundles x number of layers of shingles = estimated weight

It’s important to note that the amount estimated by the above formula will probably be on the high side. That’s because as shingles age, they lose their granules, rendering them lighter than new shingles. With that said, however, it’s better to have a higher estimate, as the final weight of the container will be less and you can avoid getting hit with unexpected overages. An average bundle of shingles weighs between 50 and 80 pounds. The kind of shingles, their style, and their quality will have a direct impact on the weight of a bundle; for instance, standard 3 tab shingles usually weigh between 50 and 65 pounds, while architectural shingles can weigh, on average, between 65 and 80 pounds. Additionally, shingles that are backed by a longer warranty tend to be heavier, as they are usually denser. 

Determine the Size of Your Roof

You’ll also want to calculate the size of your roof. To do so, measure the length and weight of each face, then add those numbers together. The total number will reveal the total square footage of the roof you are replacing. 

For flat and gable roofs, and other basic roof designs, calculating the size is pretty easy; however, it might be a little trickier to measure roofs that have a more complex design. Regardless of the trickiness, it’s definitely worth your while to measure the roof – and to make sure those measurements are accurate. By doing so, you’ll be able to estimate how much roofing debris you’ll need to dispose of, and thus, you’ll be able to more accurately determine disposal fees. 

Account for Multiple Layers

It isn’t uncommon for shingled roofs to feature more than a single layer. Especially in areas where the climate is intense, roofs often feature two or three layers of shingles. It’s important to consider the number of layers when you’re estimating the weight of the debris that you’ll need to get rid of. Obviously, a roof that has more than one layer of shingles will be heavier than a single-layer roof. 

Take a look at the existing roof to determine how many layers of shingles it consists of; if there are two layers of shingles, multiply the size of your roof (determined above) by two, and if it features three layers, multiple the size by three. 

Pick the Right Sized Dumpster

After you’ve calculated a rough estimate of debris that your existing roof will create, you’ll want to pick the right-sized dumpster to hold it. Let the company you’re renting the bin from know how the number you’ve calculated, and they’ll be able to suggest an appropriately sized container. Typically, a 10 or 20-yard dumpster is suitable for a standard roof replacement. 

It’s also important to find out the weight limit for the dumpster you’ll be renting. You’ll also want to inquire about overage fees, as most companies will charge an additional fee if the total weight of the bin exceeds the weight limit. 

 For Affordable Dumpster Rental Services in Dallas-Fort Worth, Contact DFW Roll Off!

If you’re looking for the most affordable roll-off dumpster rental services for your roof replacement project in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, contact DFW Roll Off! We offer a large selection of high-quality bins in an assortment of sizes, for the fairest and most affordable rates. For more information, call 817.369.3068 today!