There are quite a few different mixture formulations of asphalt concrete. These are: hot mix asphalt concrete (HMA), warm mix asphalt concrete (WMA), cold mix asphalt concrete, cut back asphalt concrete, sheet or mastic asphalt and high modulus asphalt concrete.
Did you know that over 73 million tons of asphalt are recycled in the US every year? This makes it among the most recycled of all materials that the country produces. Numbers show that recycled asphalt surpasses the combined total of recyclables such as paper, plastics and aluminum by almost double.
Did you know that 94% of American roads are paved with asphalt? Not only does asphalt create the smoothest surface for driving, but it also helps save on fuel costs.
According to The Road Information Program, the average US motorist spends about $402 annually on vehicle wear and tear as a result of driving on poorly constructed roads. Asphalt roads can solve that problem.
In 1870, the first true asphalt pavement in America was laid by Edmund J. DeSmedt in Newark, New Jersey. He also paved Washington D.C.’s Pennsylvania Avenue using 54,000 square yards of asphalt derived from Trinidad Lake.
The Asphalt Pavement Alliance has awarded more than 80 pavements the prestigious “National Perpetual Pavement Award”. All of these pavements are at least 35 years old and were built before 1976.
Because of its smoothness, asphalt paving maximizes tire contact, improving traction and stability. It also lowers fuel consumption by up to 4.5 percent, according to a study by the Federal Highway Administration.
According to studies, smoother pavements have 10 to 25 percent longer life expectancy. Because asphalt is smoother than other materials, maintenance costs are significantly lower as well.
In the US, about 60 million tons of asphalt is recycled every year compared to just 2 million tons of plastic. Asphalt is 100% renewable and is in fact the most recycled material in the country!
Separate studies in Kansas, Ohio, and Iowa revealed that asphalt paving is more economical than concrete over a 40-year period. The Kansas result found about one-third cost savings, Ohio about 25 to 70 percent, and Iowa about 57 percent.
While the word "asphalt" is synonymous to roads, it actually refers to a liquid derived from petroleum. When mixed in with aggregates, this liquid serves as a binder that holds everything together to produce a material that's used to pave everything from driveways to thoroughfares.
The asphalt driveways and parking lots we pour should last at least 20 years under normal use and weather conditions. We have the proper equipment, skill, and expertise to lay durable driveways and parking areas.
One of the latest techniques for repairing asphalt pavement is using infrared heat. This method first softens the affected area so it can be scarified, and then filed with new asphalt. Finally, it is leveled and compacted to create a seamless repair.
If you want to seal your newly paved asphalt driveway, we recommend waiting at least six weeks after installation for an oil-based sealer. If you are going to use a latex sealer, you should wait a year before sealing.
Asphalt pavements are already more affordable than other traditional pavements, but did you know that they can also be built thinner? This further increases your cost savings!
If you have concrete roads that need repair or replacing, there may be an economical option. Breaking up the concrete into rubble, then overlaying asphalt pavement uses fewer materials, minimizes delays, saves landfill space and reduces fuel costs – saving money on all fronts.
A tack coat ensures a bond between the succeeding layers of asphalt pavement. A slow-setting emulsion diluted 50/50 with water is used as a material for a tack coat.
When should you sealcoat your asphalt driveway? As a rule of thumb, parking lots, driveways, and roadways should have a sealcoat application every 3-5 years.
If you allow carts on your golf course, you need to protect the fairways. Installing paths paved with asphalt keeps the carts off the grass, allowing it to remain healthy and undamaged by the constant traffic.
Alligator cracks appear in asphalt parking lots as the paving material contracts over time. Fortunately, they are easy to repair, restoring the look of your parking lot and protecting it from extensive damage.
Asphalt paving contributes significantly to noise reduction from tire traffic on roads and highways. Different asphalt blends are available that reduce noise-generating friction while still providing superior skid resistance.
For large paving operations like parking lots, asphalt is one of the best materials to use. Because of its flexibility, it is able to withstand shifts in surface movement for years without sustaining any significant damage.
