Understanding Dumpster Dimensions and Capacity

Before diving into specific recommendations, it’s helpful to understand how dumpster sizes are measured and what those measurements mean for your project.

10-Yard Dumpster: The Compact Solution

Dimensions: 8′ x 12′ x 3′ (width x length x height)

Volume: 10 cubic yards

Capacity Visualization: Approximately 3-4 pickup truck loads

Weight Inclusion: 1 ton (2,000 lbs) included in base price

Our 10-yard dumpster is our most compact option, making it ideal for smaller residential projects where space might be limited. Despite its smaller size, it still provides substantial capacity for various waste disposal needs.

Perfect for:

  • Single-room renovations
  • Garage or basement cleanouts
  • Small landscaping projects
  • Deck removal
  • Roofing projects for smaller homes
  • Properties with limited access or tight spaces

13-Yard Dumpster: The Versatile Mid-Size Option

Dimensions: 8′ x 12′ x 4′ (width x length x height)

Volume: 13 cubic yards

Capacity Visualization: Approximately 4-5 pickup truck loads

Weight Inclusion: 1 ton (2,000 lbs) included in base price

Our 13-yard dumpster represents the perfect middle ground – offering significant additional capacity over the 10-yard while maintaining a reasonable footprint. This size has quickly become a favorite among Asheville homeowners for its versatility.

Perfect for:

  • Medium-sized renovation projects
  • Whole-house cleanouts
  • Kitchen or bathroom remodels
  • Flooring replacement projects
  • Small-scale commercial cleanups
  • Estate cleanouts

15-Yard Dumpster: The Capacity Champion

Dimensions: 8′ x 12′ x 5′ (width x length x height)

Volume: 15 cubic yards

Capacity Visualization: Approximately 5-6 pickup truck loads

Weight Inclusion: 1 ton (2,000 lbs) included in base price

Our largest offering, the 15-yard dumpster, provides maximum capacity for substantial projects. With the same footprint as our other options but with greater height, it maximizes space efficiency while offering significantly more volume.

Perfect for:

  • Major renovation projects
  • New construction
  • Commercial renovation
  • Large-scale landscaping projects
  • Complete home cleanouts
  • Roofing projects for larger homes

Considering Material Types: Volume vs. Weight

When selecting your dumpster size, it’s crucial to consider not just the volume of material but also its weight. All our dumpsters include 1 ton of weight in the base price, with additional charges for overages.

Light, Bulky Materials

Materials that take up significant space but weigh relatively little include:

  • Household furniture
  • Yard waste
  • Cardboard and packaging
  • Insulation
  • Empty plastic containers

For these materials, volume is your primary concern. You may need a larger dumpster to accommodate the bulk, but you’re less likely to exceed weight limits.

Heavy, Dense Materials

Materials that are heavy relative to their volume include:

  • Concrete and masonry
  • Dirt and soil
  • Roofing shingles
  • Brick and stone
  • Tile and ceramics

With these materials, you’ll likely reach the weight limit before filling the dumpster’s volume. For very dense materials like concrete, specialized options may be more cost-effective than standard dumpsters.

Real-World Project Examples

To help illustrate which dumpster might be right for your specific project, here are some real examples from our Asheville customers:

Bathroom Renovation in West Asheville

Rebecca S. renovated a standard bathroom, removing old fixtures, tile, and drywall. A 10-yard dumpster provided ample space for all debris, including the old bathtub, vanity, and flooring.

Kitchen Remodel in Hendersonville

Michael T. chose a 13-yard dumpster for his kitchen renovation, which included removing cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. The mid-sized option gave him enough room without paying for unused space.

Whole-Home Renovation in Fairview

James T., a contractor working on a comprehensive home renovation, selected our 15-yard dumpster. This allowed his team to efficiently dispose of multiple types of construction waste throughout the project’s duration.