How Much Does a Bundle of Shingles Weigh?
Over the life of a roof, particularly one that uses shingles, replacements and repairs will need to be made. In most cases, this is just a handful of shingles that can be damaged in storms or from general wear and tear.
A bundle of shingles weighs 50-80 pounds depending on the type of shingle that you choose. You will receive a heavier bundle if you purchase shingles with a warranty because they’re made of denser material. High-end shingles weigh 70-80 pounds similar to concrete tile roofing.
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What is a Square of Shingles?
When you need to buy shingles, it’s important that you somewhat know your way around the roofing industry. For example, you should know that the term “roofing square” is equal to 100 square feet. In roofing terms, a “square” of roofing shingles is reference to 100 square feet of materials. Between buying shingles and hiring roofing contractors, you’ll likely hear this term used often in place of square feet.
With that said, if your roof measure 600 square feet, you should know that this is equal to six roofing squares. In order to find out how many squares your roof has, you will simply divide the total square footage of the roof by 100. So, if you have a roof that is 2,000 square feet, that roof has 20 squares.
It is crucial that you understand this type of terminology to help you determine the weight of your shingles.
While they may sell roofing shingles in squares, they are purchased in bundles. For most roofs, it will take 3 bundles to completely cover each square of that roof. Material costs can be pricey depending on the kind of shingle that you use, so knowing your square beforehand is important for potentially keeping costs down.
Types of Shingles
Of course, there are a number of types of shingles, and they’re all different from each other. While each type of shingle will come in a bundle to make them portable, the amount that comes in a bundle can vary significantly. This means that the weight largely depends on the type of shingle inside the bundle.
With that said, just how much does a bundle of shingles weigh?
How Much Does a Bundle of Shingles Weigh?
Since shingles are often times sold in bundles – which generally cover around a third of a square of 100 square feet – the weight of the bundle can depend greatly on the material that you are using. There are lighter materials that can bring down the overall weight of the bundle into the 50- to 80-pound range mentioned.
Three-tab asphalt shingles, for instance, will generally fall into that range. If you are using architectural asphalt shingles, those will be a little heavier but should top out in that 80-pound range as well. It is when you start getting into the slate roofing shingles where things can get quite heavy; up to 300 pounds or more.
If you are unsure about how many bundles that your roof contains, you can narrow down the weight by square. A good rule of thumb is that an average roof will hold around 30 squares of shingles if there is only one layer being used.
Estimating the Weight of Your Bundle
Because the weight of shingles can vary so greatly depending on the type that you use, working off a rough estimate may not be enough. So, one way that you can figure out the weight of the bundles on your current roof is to know what the weight of your new shingles will be.
To get a rough estimate, you would multiply the weight of that bundle times the number of bundles that you would need for the job at hand. Keep in mind that your new shingles will weigh more than the old ones. This is because the old shingles will lose some of their granules. This will make each shingle just a little bit lighter compared to new shingles.
Warranties Add Weight
Believe it or not, there is another factor in the weight of the shingles that you order: the warranty. When you get a higher quality shingle with a 30-year warranty, it will have a greater weight than one that has a 20-year warranty.
This is because those shingles are constructed of a denser, more durable quality. This is to ensure that they will last for that full term and won’t need to be replaced during their warranty. Keep that in mind when you determine the weight of your bundle.
Alternatives to Asphalt Shingles
Of course, not everyone decides to use asphalt shingles for their roof. They can be pricey and heavy depending on the kind of asphalt roofing shingle that you choose. That leads to potential alternatives to those traditional materials.
Alternative materials can be just as durable and long-lasting as traditional asphalt shingles. The difference is they can not only cost less but weigh less as well. Depending on the budget or structure in question, this can be a highly beneficial thing. It can go the other way, too: heavier, more expensive tile is available as well.
Concrete Tile
One of the oldest roofing materials around, concrete tiles offer a very high level of fire resistance while providing a high-end look. This type of tile is also known as clay tile. This is also one of the most durable materials around.
Best of all, concrete tiles can hold up to even extreme cold and heat. There are a plethora of colors, patterns, and weights, too. A solid concrete tile can last 80 years or more, providing the ultimate in durability.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing tends to be more generally associated with a more commercial look. There are more and more metal roofs becoming popular in residential areas as well. It is not uncommon to see aluminum shingle roofs or even steel panels these days.
Steel is not only very naturally durable, but it is lightweight and has a unique aesthetic appeal as well. Metal roofing is becoming a common alternative to heavier, more expensive concrete tile and asphalt shingles that can require replacing sooner than the other options.
Synthetic/Composite
Technology is continuing to progress and that means developments in the roofing industry meant to improve durability, lessen weight, and bring down costs. And that is where your synthetic and composite materials come into play.
There are products that can mimic the look of real slate or wood shake while providing quality durability and a number of different colors. There are even recycled materials for an eco-friendly option.
Cedar Shakes
Wood roofing makes for a unique, naturally appealing aesthetic. It has a rugged look to it that can provide a more rustic appeal to homes as well as a taper sawn shake which is meant offer the same things minus that ruggedness.
These kinds of roofs will require a little more to maintain them throughout the years, but they are one of the more beautiful options on the market. Add curb appeal with a cedar shake roof.
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Dumpster Ordering
One of the main reasons that people need to know the weight of a bundle of shingles is to manage the cleanup process. If you’re performing a roof replacement, you need to order a dumpster that will be able to handle the amount of debris the replacement creates. Ordering an appropriately sized dumpster will make cleanup much easier for you, and all those involved.
While overall weight of shingle debris is important for dumpster ordering, it’s not the only factor you should consider.
- How many layers of shingles are on the roof? The easiest way to determine how many layers on your roof is to take a look at it from the side. When you have a single layer, the shingles appear flush against the wood underneath. With more than one layer, the shingles will look thicker. In most cases, you’ll be able to count the layers by how they are stacked on top of each other. Multiple layers of singles will nearly double the size dumpster you need.
- Account for rotted or damaged plywood decking. If you’re pulling off all of the shingles during your replacement, there’s a high chance that you’ll find some wood rot underneath. Typically, there will be less than 100 square feet of wood that needs to be removed in replaced. When ordering your dumpster, make sure that you account for these extra square feet of wood. Or, to be safe, you can inspect your attic to determine the extent of the damage.
- Factor in weight limits and surcharges for the dumpster company. While the dumpster you select may be suitable for the amount of shingles and debris you’ll be removing, this doesn’t necessarily mean that filling it up all the way is permitted by your dumpster company. In fact, most companies place weight limits that sit well below what the dumpster can actually hold. If you end up going over the limit, you can expect unwanted surcharges. To avoid this from happening, ask your dumpster company about their surcharge policy and plan accordingly.
The bottom line is that, knowing how much a bundle of shingles weighs is crucial to purchasing new shingles and also removing and disposing of the existing material from your roof.
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