9 Useful Qualities of Asphalt Pavement
Asphalt is a ubiquitous sight across much of the world. It’s used for roads, parking lots, and much more. Learn the useful qualities of asphalt pavement here.
Every year, approximately 350 million tons of asphalt pavement are mixed throughout the United States.
Asphalt gets used for everything from road construction to driveway paving. Are you considering using it for your next home or business improvement project?
If you’re on the fence about using asphalt over other types of material, we’ve got some information that might cause you to change your mind.
Read on to learn all the benefits of choosing asphalt pavement for your next paving project.
What Is Asphalt Pavement?
Chances are you’ve heard of asphalt a time or two, especially if you’re getting ready to carry out a big construction project. Do you actually know what it is, though?
Asphalt is a composite material comprised of bitumen and aggregates.
Bitumen is a dark material composed of a petroleum byproduct known as polycyclic hydrocarbons. Aggregates are a mixture of several things, including gravel, sand, and crushed stone.
Bitumen is what holds aggregates together.
Types of Asphalt
There are many different types of asphalt that you can use for your project. Asphalt types are categorized based on the process used to bind the bitumen and aggregates.
For example, hot mix asphalt is produced under high temperatures. Warm mix asphalt, on the other hand, uses lower temperatures and has emulsions, zeolites, and waxes mixed into it.
Benefits of Asphalt Pavement
No matter which type you decide to use, there are lots of reasons to make asphalt your paving material of choice. The following are some of the greatest benefits asphalt has to offer:
- Safe Surface
When it’s poured in the correct way, asphalt yields a very smooth surface (smoother than a lot of other popular paving materials).
This allows for a safer and more comfortable experience every time you drive across it. It also results in less wear and tear on your tires (and the tires of your guests or customers).
- Cost-Effective
Asphalt is more affordable than a lot of other paving materials, too. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to update the paving in an area of your home or business, asphalt is definitely the way to go.
- Energy Efficient
In addition to being more affordable, asphalt is also very energy efficient.
Thanks to the smooth surface created by asphalt paving, there is less rolling resistance between tires and the pavement. This, in turn, yields better fuel economy and fewer emissions for drivers.
Warm mix asphalt, in particular, is also a very energy-efficient product that requires less heat when it’s mixed.
- Eco-Friendly
Using asphalt helps you reduce your carbon footprint in other ways, too.
It is the most recycled product in the U.S. The industry reuses and recycles millions of tons of asphalt each year.
If you want to support an industry that’s doing things the right way and working to make the planet a healthier place, consider investing in asphalt.
- Low Maintenance
Asphalt also requires very little maintenance.
There aren’t any joints to repair, and asphalt is not affected by cold temperatures in the same way that other materials are.
Both of these factors make it much easier for you to maintain an area and keep it looking nice and functioning well after you’ve had it paved.
- Long-Lasting
In addition to being low maintenance, asphalt also lasts a very long time. You won’t have to worry about replacing it or making major repairs for several years after you’ve paved your driveway or parking lot.
- Better Drainage
Asphalt allows for better drainage than many other paving materials.
This is especially true of new formulations, which ensure rapid water dispersal and reduce the spray of water.
This helps make surfaces paved with asphalt safer for driver and minimizes freezing, pooling, and other issues that result from poor drainage.
- Fast Construction
You can pave or repave an area using asphalt much faster than you can do the same project using a different type of material.
Asphalt doesn’t require any kind of curing time. Because of this, you can drive on it as soon as the last rollers have left the area.
If you don’t want to block off your driveway or parking lot for several days, your best option is asphalt for sure.
- Flexible
There’s a lot of flexibility that comes with asphalt paving, too.
It’s easy to tailor the formulation and design in a way that best supports the traffic load a particular road or surface experiences, as well as the climate in that area.
No matter where you live or what your intended use is for the area you’re paving, asphalt can be adjusted to fit that use.
How to Choose a Good Paving Company
If you’re interested in using asphalt for your upcoming project, you’ll need to hire a good paving company to help you see the best results.
No matter what kind of project you’re doing, working with professionals will help you save time and ensure the project gets done correctly the first time around.
The following are some tips that will help you choose the right company for the job:
- Ensure they’re insured
- Ask about their equipment and the size of their crew (6-8 people are generally needed)
- Find out what type of asphalt they use
- Ask for samples of their past work
- Get a detailed quote
- Request references
Remember to be wary of paving companies that require any kind of downpayment (especially if they ask for it in cash). Most reputable companies don’t ask for payment until the job is done and you’re satisfied with the end result.
Invest in Asphalt Today
As you can see, asphalt pavement is a great option for your next paving project.
Whether you’re paving a driveway, a parking lot, or any other surface, asphalt comes with a lot of benefits and will definitely enhance the overall appearance and functionality of the space you’re hoping to pave.
Do you want to learn more about home and commercial property updates? If so, be sure to visit the Home and Garden section of our site today.
Youll find all kinds of information here that will help you with your next big project.
