Roofing
Roof Replacement Debris Checklist
How to size and plan a dumpster for a roof tear-off in Alexandria, VA — weight allowances, layer counts and what actually fills the container fastest.
Roofing debris is one of the most commonly mis-sized loads we see, because shingles are far heavier than they look sitting on the truck. Here's what actually matters.
Weight, not volume, decides the size
A stack of shingles takes up surprisingly little visual space compared to how much it weighs. A single layer of standard asphalt shingles on an average roof can run close to a ton on its own — two or three layers, common on an older re-roof, adds up fast.
Sizing by roof size and layer count
| Roof size | Typical size |
|---|---|
| Small roof, single layer | 10–15 yard |
| Average roof (up to ~20 squares), single layer | 20 yard |
| Larger roof or multiple layers | 30 yard, sometimes two containers |
What to tell us when you call
The roof's approximate size in squares, how many layers are coming off, and whether it's asphalt shingle, metal, slate or something heavier all change the right size. Tell us what you know and we'll size it correctly — slate and tile in particular run much heavier than standard asphalt.
Placement for a roofing job
Roofing debris tends to fly off a bit during tear-off, so placement close to the work area matters more than for most jobs. We'll help plan a spot that keeps the driveway or street clear while staying close enough that your crew isn't hauling debris across the property.
Need a container in Alexandria or anywhere in Northern Virginia? Call (571) 321-5672 and describe the job. We will name the size, the flat rate and a delivery slot — often the same day. No forms, no waiting on an email.