A roof tear-off is one of the heaviest debris jobs a house produces. Old asphalt shingles are dense, they come off fast once the crew starts, and they pile up quicker than almost any other renovation material. Whether you're a homeowner doing a DIY re-shingle or a contractor managing the job, the disposal side needs planning up front. This guide covers how much a shingle tear-off weighs, which bin size to book, and how to load it without running into a weight problem.
Roofing Debris Is All About Weight
The critical thing to understand about roofing debris is that it's a weight problem, not a volume problem. Asphalt shingles are heavy — a single "square" of roofing (100 square feet) weighs roughly 250 pounds for standard three-tab shingles, and more for architectural or multi-layer roofs. A modest bungalow re-roof can easily produce 3–4 tons of debris that takes up surprisingly little space in the bin.
That's why you match the bin to the weight, load it low and level, and never overfill. Base Bins includes up to 8 tons of weight on both the 8-yard and 15-yard bins, which covers most residential roofs.
How Much Will Your Roof Weigh?
A rough planning guide for asphalt shingle tear-offs:
| Roof Size | Approx. Shingle Weight | Suggested Bin |
|---|---|---|
| Small / single layer (up to ~15 squares) | ~2 tons | 8-Yard |
| Average bungalow (15–25 squares) | ~3–4 tons | 15-Yard |
| Larger home or 2-storey (25–35 squares) | ~4–6 tons | 15-Yard |
| Large roof or multi-layer tear-off | 6+ tons | 15-Yard or 30-Yard |
Multiple layers change the math fast. If you're tearing off two or three layers of old shingles, double or triple the weight estimate. When in doubt, size up or call us to talk it through.
Which Bin for a Roof Tear-Off?
- 8-yard bin ($240): good for small, single-layer roofs, garages, and sheds. The site lists it for "small roofing jobs (single-story, small footprint)."
- 15-yard bin ($260): the standard choice for a typical Ottawa house re-roof. This is the size the site specifically recommends for "full roof replacements and tear-offs."
- 30-yard bin ($350): for large roofs, multi-layer tear-offs, or when a roofing job runs alongside other renovation debris. Handles "large roof tear-offs."
Both bins include up to 8 tons and dump fees are $145/ton, passed through at cost. See the pricing page for the full breakdown, and our bin size guide for help choosing.
What Roofing Materials Go in the Bin
Base Bins bins accept shingles and roofing materials — it's explicitly on the allowed waste list. A roof tear-off typically produces:
- Asphalt shingles (three-tab and architectural)
- Roofing felt and underlayment
- Old flashing and drip edge (metal)
- Ridge caps and vents
- Rotten or damaged roof decking / plywood sheathing
- Nails and fasteners (the tear-off produces thousands)
- Ice-and-water shield membrane
All of this is bin-friendly. The metal flashing has minor scrap value if you'd rather separate it, but it's fine in the bin.
How to Load a Roofing Bin
- Load evenly across the floor. Spread shingles flat rather than piling them at one end — heavy loads must stay level for safe, legal transport.
- Keep it below the fill line. With roofing you'll hit the weight limit before the bin is visually full. Don't heap it above the walls.
- Position the bin close to the house. Shingles come off fast; a bin near the tear-off zone means less carrying and lets you toss directly from a chute or tarp.
- Use a tarp chute if the bin can't sit right beside the roof. Many roofers slide debris down a tarp into the bin.
- Watch the weight, not the volume. A bin that looks half-empty may already be at its weight limit with roofing debris. That's normal.
Protect Your Property During the Tear-Off
- Lay plywood or tarps under the eaves to catch falling shingles and protect landscaping.
- Cover A/C units, decks, and gardens below the work area.
- Run a magnet sweep over the lawn, driveway, and gardens afterward — a tear-off drops thousands of roofing nails.
- Protect the driveway where the bin sits; we use pads, and you can add plywood under the bin for extra protection.
Timing the Bin With the Job
Roofing has to be weather-tight by the end of the job — you can't leave a torn-off roof open overnight in Ottawa weather. That makes timing the bin important:
- Have the bin on-site before the tear-off starts. You don't want shingles piling on the lawn waiting for a bin.
- Same-day delivery is available across Ottawa if your schedule moves.
- For contractors, a bin staged the day before keeps the crew moving from the first tear-off.
For Contractors and Roofers
Base Bins works with general contractors, roofers, and builders on an ongoing basis. If you run multiple roofing jobs a season, ask about contractor pricing and recurring accounts rather than booking each job as a one-off — it's set up for volume and repeat work. Reliable same-day and next-day delivery keeps your crews on schedule across Ottawa, Nepean, Kanata, Orleans, Gloucester, Stittsville, and Barrhaven.
Can You Recycle Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles can be recycled into road paving material, and some large-volume shingle-recycling programs exist. For a single residential re-roof, the practical route is almost always a bin — the volume doesn't justify separate handling, and the debris still gets weighed and disposed of properly at the transfer station. For very large commercial roofing projects, ask us about recycling options.
How Base Bins Helps With Roofing Debris
- Right-sized bins for roofs of every size — 8, 15, and 30-yard.
- 8-ton weight allowance that covers most residential tear-offs with no extra dump fee.
- Transparent $145/ton dump fees passed through at cost — you get the scale ticket.
- Same-day and next-day delivery so the bin is ready when the tear-off starts.
- Contractor accounts with volume pricing for roofers and builders.
- Fully insured — $2M liability, WSIB compliant, licensed hauler.
Bottom Line
Roofing debris is heavy, fast-accumulating, and all about weight. Size the bin to the roof (a 15-yard is the standard for a full house tear-off), get it on-site before the tear-off starts, load it low and level, and sweep for nails afterward. Do that and disposal won't slow the job down.
Call (613) 518-1508 or request a free quote. Tell us your roof size and number of layers, and we'll recommend the right bin and have it there when you need it.
Related reads: What size dumpster do I need? · Dumpster rental cost in Ottawa · Renovation waste tips
Disclaimer: All prices mentioned in this article are provided for general reference and informational purposes only. These prices are not fixed and may vary depending on facts, market conditions, location, time, availability, or other relevant factors. Actual prices may change without prior notice.