Whether you’re tackling a home cleanout, managing a renovation project, or preparing for seasonal yard work, choosing the right dumpster size is one of the most important parts of the process. Too small, and you risk overfilling and needing a second container. Too large, and you may be paying for more space than you need.

At Gateway Dumpsters in Brighton, NY, our dumpster rental experts we keep things simple by offering two popular and versatile options: 15-yard and 20-yard dumpsters. Both are great for a wide variety of projects, but knowing when to choose one over the other can save you time, money, and stress. We’ve put together the following sizing, materials and options guide to help Brighton residents make an informed decision about what kind of dumpster is the best for a given project.

An In-Depth Guide to Selecting Dumpster Size

Start with the Scope of Your Project

Before you schedule a dumpster rental in Brighton, think about the type and amount of debris you’ll be disposing of. Are you cleaning out one room or the entire house? Are you removing bulky furniture, heavy construction materials, or lightweight household items? These details matter.

• 15-Yard Dumpster: Ideal for medium-sized jobs. It can handle around 4.5 pickup truck loads and is great for smaller remodels, single-room cleanouts, roofing jobs, or heavy material like concrete in limited volumes.
• 20-Yard Dumpster: Offers more capacity for bigger cleanouts or renovation projects. It holds about 6 pickup truck loads and is well-suited for full-house decluttering, larger kitchen or bathroom remodels, or garage and basement overhauls.

Consider the Type of Material Being Disposed

Not all debris takes up the same kind of space. Light but bulky items such as furniture or drywall can fill up a dumpster quickly without reaching weight limits, while heavier materials like dirt, bricks, or shingles may reach the tonnage allowance long before the container is physically full.

For heavy debris, a 15-yard dumpster is often the better choice, not because of space, but because it’s easier to stay within legal weight limits and avoid overage charges. For lighter, more voluminous waste, a 20-yard dumpster can be more efficient.

Be Aware of Weight Limits and Overage Fees

Both dumpster sizes come with set weight limits, and going over those limits can result in additional charges. Before loading, make sure you understand what the limit is for your rental and how close your project might come to reaching it.

If you’re disposing of roofing materials, broken concrete, or anything that piles on weight quickly, stick with a 15-yard dumpster and plan for the possibility of needing a second if the volume exceeds the available space. If your project involves household junk, yard debris, or packaging waste, the 20-yard option gives you more room without necessarily risking weight overages.

Think About Space on Your Property

It’s easy to focus on how much waste you’re creating and forget about where the dumpster will actually go. A 15-yard dumpster has a footprint that can take up an average single-car driveway. A 20-yard dumpster takes up the same size on the ground, but is taller, making it a little more difficult to get bulky or heavy items over the top.

If you’re working in a residential neighborhood or urban area in Rochester, headspace could be the deciding factor between the two. If you have an overhang, it may make it difficult to fit items into the covered end of the dumpster, making a 15-yard dumpster’s shorter profile a better choice.

How to Choose the Right One for You

Here’s a quick reference to help guide your decision:

Choose a 15-yard dumpster if you’re:

• Replacing a roof on a small to medium home
• Renovating a single bathroom or kitchen
• Removing concrete, tile, or bricks
• Clearing out a single room or a small garage

Choose a 20-yard dumpster if you’re:

• Tackling a full home cleanout
• Doing a major renovation with drywall and framing
• Cleaning out an estate or rental property
• Disposing of bulky furniture, yard waste, or general household junk

Still Not Sure? Gateway Can Help

Selecting the right dumpster size doesn’t have to be a guessing game. At Gateway Dumpsters in Brighton, our dumpster rental experts helped homeowners, contractors, and business owners throughout the greater Rochester area find the perfect fit for their projects.

When in doubt, give us a call. Tell us what kind of work you’re doing and what you expect to toss, and we’ll help you make the right call. Whether you need a 15 or 20-yard dumpster rental in Brighton, you can count on us for reliable drop-off, transparent pricing, and customer-first service every step of the way. Ready to get started? Let Gateway Dumpsters take the stress out of your cleanup.