NMFC Class 65 — Building Materials
Roofing materials including shingles and underlayment ship at freight class 65–70 when palletized.
Typical class: 65 · Density: 20–35 lbs/cu ft
Shipment Dimensions (inches)
| Class | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | Heaviest, most dense freight |
| 55 | 35–50 | Very dense freight |
| 60 | 30–35 | Dense freight |
| 65 | 22.5–30 | Moderately dense |
| 70 | 15–22.5 | Average density |
| 77.5 | 13.5–15 | Slightly below average |
| 85 | 12–13.5 | Below average density |
| 92.5 | 10.5–12 | Light freight |
| 100 | 9–10.5 | Light freight |
| 110 | 8–9 | Light, bulky freight |
| 125 | 7–8 | Bulky freight |
| 150 | 6–7 | Very bulky freight |
| 175 | 5–6 | Very light, bulky |
| 200 | 4–5 | Extremely light |
| 250 | 3–4 | Extremely light, high value |
| 300 | 2–3 | Low density, high handling |
| 400 | 1–2 | Very low density |
| 500 | 0–1 | Lowest density, highest cost |
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NMFC Class 65 — packaging, handling, and freight class details
Roofing materials freight is tied directly to construction activity and, perhaps more importantly, storm damage cycles. New residential construction drives steady baseline roofing freight, but a significant hailstorm or hurricane affecting a major metropolitan area can generate massive demand spikes for shingles, underlayment, and accessories. Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and GAF supply most of the asphalt shingle market, with regional roofing distributors like ABC Supply and Beacon Roofing Supply serving as the primary freight destinations.
Freight class for roofing materials is Class 65–70. Asphalt shingles are the dominant product — a bundle of three-tab shingles weighs 60–80 lbs and covers approximately 33 square feet of roof. A square (100 square feet) of shingles weighs 180–240 lbs. A full pallet of 40 bundles runs 2,400–3,200 lbs on a 40x48 footprint at roughly 30–35 lbs/cuft. This density is consistent enough to reliably qualify for Class 65–70.
Flatbed is strongly preferred for shingle deliveries to roofing contractors. Shingle pallets are loaded by forklift onto flatbed and delivered directly to the job site where a boom truck or crane can lift pallets directly onto the roof deck — this dramatically reduces labor versus trying to carry bundles up ladders. Direct-to-roof delivery is standard in the roofing contractor world, and carriers doing this work need access to job sites that may have limited space.
Moisture protection is important for underlayment and synthetic products (tar paper, ice and water shield, synthetic felt) but asphalt shingles are generally weather-resistant enough to tolerate brief exposure. Regardless, loads should be covered on flatbed. The practical weight concern: roofing materials are dense, and a full flatbed load of shingles can approach 45,000 lbs. Axle weight distribution matters. Rate context: roofing freight pays fairly at Class 65–70. Post-storm surge events create premium spot market opportunities for carriers who can position equipment quickly in affected areas.
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