Roof tear-off / 35 squares
3,500 sq ft of roof · 105 bundles
Dumpster size for a 35 square roof
Stripping one layer of architectural shingles from a 35-square roof (3,500 sq ft) produces about 7,350 lb (3.7 tons) of shingles taking up 10 loose cubic yards. That needs a 20-yard dumpster: the debris fills 50% of the box, and weight is what sets the size.
- 1Roof 35 squares · 3,500 sq ft
- 2Bundles 105 (1 layer)
- 3Tear-off weight 7,350 lb
- 4Dumpster 20-yard
How the 35-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 35 gives 7,350 lb and 6,510 lb. Loose shingles take space at EPA's figure of 731 lb per cubic yard for composition roofing, so the architectural tear-off fills 10 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 3.7 tons is more than the 2-ton low end of the 10- and 15-yard capacities, so the 20-yard (4–5 tons) is the first that carries it. That is the same size as for a 30-square roof.
Two layers, 3-tab and heavy shingles
| Shingle | 1 layer | Size | 2 layers | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural (laminated) shingles (210 lb/sq) | 7,350 lb | 20 yd | 14,700 lb | 40 yd |
| 3-tab shingles (186 lb/sq) | 6,510 lb | 20 yd | 13,020 lb | 40 yd |
| Heavyweight designer shingles (360 lb/sq) | 12,600 lb | 40 yd | 25,200 lb | 2 × 40 yd |
A second layer doubles the weight to 14,700 lb, which moves the job up to a 40-yard. Heavyweight designer shingles such as Owens Corning's Berkshire (360 lb a square nominal) weigh 12,600 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, 1.7 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, 0.7 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, 1.7 tons short of this tear-off. Its 10-yard listings stop at "100 bundles or 33sq", fewer than 35 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
35 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:
- Fairfax County, VA at $109 per ton ($49–$109 minimum): $401. Who may use it: Residents may be asked for proof of residency (a utility bill or driver's license); resident C&D drop-off is limited to 2 cubic yards per household per day. The minimum depends on the load size the scale attendant assigns; this page shows the range from the small to the large C&D minimum.
- Kitsap County, WA at $113 per cubic yard: $1,136. The schedule does not say who may use the station. A 3.6% Washington solid waste collection tax applies to disposal except appliances, yard waste and wood waste.
- Dane County, WI at $65 per ton (in 500-lb steps up to a ton): $239. The schedule does not say who may use the station. Loads up to 2,000 lb pay a flat fee in 500-lb steps, which is the per-ton rate applied to the top of the step.
- Brookline, NH at $250 per cubic yard: $2,514. 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.
Most stations take residents only, and several refuse contractor loads, so check the town page before you plan trips.
Other roof sizes
30 squares · 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.