Roofing Tear-Off Bins: Size, Weight & Swaps
Shingles are dense. Here's how to match squares to yard size, avoid overweight loads, and keep the crew moving.
Asphalt shingles pack a lot of weight into a small volume. A rough field guide: many tear-offs generate about 250–350 lb per square (100 sq ft) for a single layer, more with underlayment and multiple layers. That means a roof that looks like a 30-yard volume job may still need earlier swaps because of legal highway weight — not because the bin looks empty.
For a typical single-car garage or small bungalow tear-off, a 20-yard often works. Larger two-storey homes and multi-layer tear-offs commonly need a 30-yard with a same-day or next-day swap planned. Tell the hauler your square count and layer count when you request quotes.
Load shingles evenly and keep the bin on a driveway when possible. Street placement adds permit time you may not have during a weather window. Never toss propane torch bottles or sealed cans into the shingle load.