Residential asphalt Asphalt, also known as bitumen is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It may be found in natural deposits or may be a refined product; it is a substance classed as a pitch. Until the 20th century, the term asphaltum was also used. The word is derived fr…Asphalt
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How thick should asphalt in residential driveway?
For a residential asphalt driveway thickness, Colorado Pavement Solutions always recommends 4 inches of asphalt for a driveway. Four inches of asphalt is strong enough to withstand Colorado temperature swings and the weight of most personal vehicles. So, where did the notion of needing 9 inches of asphalt come from?
How much does paving an asphalt driveway cost?
To know how much the asphalt paving of a driveway costs, two things need to be considered: the area to be covered and the quality of the material. The price of asphalt generally ranges between $ 4 and $ 12 per square foot. Paving a concrete driveway is a bit more expensive than asphalt.
What are the best tips for installing asphalt driveway paving?
- Lower resale value : Compared to asphalt, concrete typically has a higher perceived value by home buyers.
- Uneven edges : Unless you install concrete edging to hold in the hot mix, the edges of an asphalt driveway tend to be less than perfect.
- Plants : While not a common occurrence, some plants can force up through asphalt. ...
How to pave a driveway with asphalt?
- Flexible : Asphalt is more flexible than concrete and thus is less prone to cracking. ...
- Less expensive : Asphalt paving is typically cheaper to install than concrete.
- Hardier in winter conditions : Asphalt is less prone to damage by rock salt and ice melt.
What type of asphalt is best for driveways?
Hot mix asphaltHot mix asphalt is considered best for driveways, because construction and design features are suitable to giving it a finished appearance that complements the home.
Is it cheaper to pour asphalt or concrete?
Cost. The cost of an asphalt driveway is typically cheaper than concrete, costing $2.00 – $4.00 per square foot. Asphalt prices tend to fluctuate with fluctuations in crude oil prices. In contrast, a concrete driveway costs between $4.00 – $6.00 per square foot for a standard installation.
Which is better for a driveway asphalt or blacktop?
Blacktop is typically going to be more durable than asphalt over time. This durability is because of the creation process that includes higher temperatures, making it a more bendable surface that can be resealed rather than suffer harsh cracks and potholes as easily.
Is 1.5 inches of asphalt enough for a driveway?
Residential driveways typically use 2 to 3 inches of asphalt with 3 being suitable for occasional large trucks or heavy equipment. Underneath the asphalt you should have 6 to 8 inches of granular base aggregate.
Is asphalt the same as blacktop?
Blacktop is heated to approximately 150 degrees celsius, whereas asphalt is only heated to 120 degrees celsius. Asphalt is has a higher bitumen content and for that reason is less porous and more resilient to wear and tear from high traffic and thus is the preferred choice for major highways.
What type of driveway lasts the longest?
ConcreteConcrete is the old standby for driveways. Most suburban homes opt for this material for two big reasons: Concrete is typically the longest-lasting driveway surface, and, if installed properly, it is practically maintenance-free.
What is the best grade of asphalt?
There are three different grades available in asphalt. The grades available are I-2, also known as base; I-5, known as top ;and the I-4 or commercial top grades.
How often should asphalt driveway be sealed?
every two to three yearsHOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SEAL YOUR DRIVEWAY? Asphalt sealcoating is every two to three years depending on how much traffic your driveway gets or how constantly it is being exposed to the elements such as UV rays, snow and other chemicals.
Can asphalt be put over concrete?
If the question is "CAN I lay asphalt over concrete?" then the answer is "Yes." This is absolutely possible if elevations allow for it, and we're happy to lay asphalt driveways over concrete if that's what you want. It's also the cheaper option since heavy equipment is required to dig up an existing concrete slab.
What is the best thickness for an asphalt driveway?
A 4-inch thickness may be adequate, but 5 or even 6 inches of full-depth asphalt will assure you of a stronger, stable driveway under a wider range of climate and loads. As an option, some contractors use 6 to 8 inches of compacted aggregate, or gravel, as a base under 3 inches of asphalt pavement.
How do you prepare the ground for an asphalt driveway?
The Complete 7-Step Process for Asphalt Pavement InstallationStep 1: Demolition and Removal. ... Step 2: Grading and Sloping. ... Step 3: Prepare the Sub Base. ... Step 4: Proof Roll, Undercutting and Sub Base Repair. ... Step 5: Binder and Surface Course. ... Step 6: Install New Asphalt Surface. ... Step 7: Butt Joints and Transitions.
How warm does it have to be to pour asphalt?
The best time of year to pave asphalt is during the spring and summer months because the best temperature for hot paving is generally 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It's possible to lay asphalt at temperatures as low as 50 degrees, but doing so isn't likely to bring about the best results possible.
Is a concrete driveway worth it?
The combined strength and longevity make concrete a relatively good value for large areas of paving. As a driveway surface, concrete is more expensive than gravel and asphalt, but it is considerably less expensive than a driveway made with brick, cobblestone, or concrete pavers—and it typically outlasts all of these.
What type of driveway is best?
Concrete. Among the most durable options on the market is a concrete driveway surface. Although it provides a hard and stable surface, that is highly dependant on professional installation, high upfront costs, maintenance, and weather conditions.
Is concrete or asphalt better for roads?
Concrete roads are highly durable and more environmentally friendly as compared to asphalt roads. However, asphalt paving costs far less than concrete paving. Also, asphalt road provides a little better safety of the vehicle against snow and skidding.
What is the best surface for a steep driveway?
The best material for steep driveway installation is permeable pavement. This can refer to a number of steep driveway ideas such as brick, concrete, or rubber pavers, but recycled plastic pavers perform best in all of the most important categories that a steep driveway needs them to.
What is asphalt resurfacing?
Asphalt resurfacing (also known as an asphalt overlay) is a cost-effective way to restore your asphalt pavement to the condition that it once was. Resurfacing is best suited for driveways that have been properly maintained over time, and still have a stable sub-base.
Is asphalt resurfacing reliable?
Basically, asphalt resurfacing is only as reliable as the base layer that it’s being installed over.
Can you repair an asphalt driveway?
Sometimes negligence of proper maintenance can cause an asphalt driveway to become damaged beyond repair, and the only solution is to start fresh. Though sometimes, the actual problem could be much more critical. Whether it be issues with the groundwater, a weakened subgrade, or that the lot is not equipped for traffic flow; Pavement Solutions will create a full maintenance plan to combat it all.
What are the benefits of a driveway?
Some of the benefits of residential driveway paving are: 1 It doesn’t take long to lay an asphalt driveway. The construction work usually gets done in one to two days. Thus, you don’t have to wait a long time to start commuting on the driveway again. 2 Asphalt Driveway Paving is a durable investment. It can easily last for up to 12 years with little to no maintenance. Moreover, getting it fixed is also quite easy with an experienced asphalt contractor. 3 Getting driveways asphalt paved can offer huge ROIs. Many people ask Does Paving a Driveway Add Value to a House? It sure does. An attractive looking driveway can fetch great prices if you intend to sell the house in future. 4 Another benefit to asphalt driveway paving is its affordability. Residential Driveway Paving Cost may depend on your location and requirements. However, it’ll not put a hole in your pocket if you just consider the essentials.
Why do you need to have a driveway paved?
Because it’s one of the most simple and economical options to get your driveway paved. Its durability, aesthetics, and strength warrants a long-lasting and smooth driveway. Many homeowners with an old stone or gravel driveway can easily make the switch to asphalt.
How long does it take to lay asphalt driveway?
Some of the benefits of residential driveway paving are: It doesn’t take long to lay an asphalt driveway. The construction work usually gets done in one to two days. Thus, you don’t have to wait a long time to start commuting on the driveway again. Asphalt Driveway Paving is a durable investment.
What is the purpose of driveway drainage system?
Effective Driveway Paving Drainage System plays a key role to maintain the strength and durability of driveway paving. Water should never be able to stagnant on or around pavement edges. Also, drainage from patios and walkways should be kept at an appropriate distance from the driveway.
How wide should a driveway be?
The width of the pavement will really depend on your requirements. Usually, a one-car driveway needs a minimum width of 8’. However, if you want space for pedestrians too, this will increase to 12’.
How thick is asphalt?
The thickness will vary accordingly. In case of an asphalt overlay, a thickness of 1.5 to 2 inches will suffice.
What is the importance of grade on a driveway?
One of the important factors is grade of the property. This refers to the driveway slope. If the driveway is graded properly, water usually runs off the surface. But if it’s not done correctly, the water may start pooling on the surface.
RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY PAVING
Your driveway is the first impression of your home. We want to help you make that a great first impression. At Central Asphalt, we specialize in residential driveway paving and repair. If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s appearance, a newly paved asphalt driveway can increase your property’s curb appeal and potentially its value, too.
Residential Asphalt Paving and Repair Services
Whether you need a complete asphalt driveway replacement, or you just need some repairs to fix holes, cracks, and drainage problems, Central Asphalt can help. We offer the following asphalt paving services:
What is the first step in asphalt driveway installation?
The first step with asphalt driveway installation is to pick a reputable asphalt paving company near you.
What is the phone number for asphalt paving in Minneapolis?
To learn more about our residential asphalt paving services like asphalt driveway installation, be sure to call us at (651) 484-1696.
Why is porous pavement good for parking lots?
However, more and more homeowners are asking about porous asphalt driveways to reduce water runoff in their neighborhoods.
What is the most recycled material?
In fact, the Federal Highway Administration reported asphalt is the most recycled material in the United States. In terms of color, recycled asphalt is lighter than hot mix asphalt and gives driveways a unique look, which could appeal to some homeowners. If you prefer the dark black of a fresh asphalt driveway, though, ...
Is hot mix asphalt easy to repair?
Since hot mix asphalt has a rich black color, it adds to the curb appeal of your home. Asphalt is also easier to repair than other paving materials, which keeps driveway maintenance simple.
Is hot mix better than dark black asphalt?
If you prefer the dark black of a fresh asphalt driveway, though, hot mix will work better for you. If you need helping to pick the right type of asphalt for your driveway, please do not hesitate to contact the professionals.
Is asphalt 100% recyclable?
Did you know that asphalt is 100% recyclable? While some homeowners may balk at the idea of using recycled materials for their new driveway, recycled asphalt is just as durable and long-lasting as virgin asphalt at a fraction of the cost .
What should be preserved in a driveway?
Aesthetic objects such as trees and rocks should be preserved whenever possible. Care must be taken to locate the driveway away from trees and shrubs whose root system may affect the pavement as they grow. Also, to avoid unsightly cuts in hilly areas, driveways should generally conform to the terrain.
How thick should asphalt driveway overlay be?
It is recommended, however, that the overlay have a minimum compacted thickness of at least one inch (1″).
How wide should a driveway be?
One of the most important considerations for residential driveways is the width of the pavement. The absolute minimum pavement width for a single automobile width is eight feet (8′), with ten feet (10′) being more desirable. When both pedestrians and an automobile will be using the driveway, the minimum recommended pavement width is twelve feet ...
What should be removed before paving a driveway?
The subgrade type and strength will influence the overall pavement structure. Prior to construction of the driveway, all of the topsoil should be removed. Additional soil should be removed to accommodate the final driveway pavement.
How much slope should a driveway have?
In flat areas, the driveway should have a minimum slope of two percent (2%) or a crown not less than one-quarter inch per foot (1/4”/ft.) so that all surface water will drain off. Drainage from roof downspouts, patios, and walkways should, if feasible, be piped well away from the edge of the driveway.
How many feet should I park side by side?
To park multiple cars side by side, the parking area of the driveway should be increased by 10 feet per car to allow for the opening of doors. For the length of the driveway, the width can vary. In general, the width increases at the parking area and narrows down along the drive length.
What are the two most important considerations when designing a pavement?
Two of the most important considerations in designing a pavement are traffic and drainage . If either is not accounted for in the pavement design, then the pavement structure will either be over-designed (and money wasted) or under designed (and result in premature and continual maintenance).
How long does asphalt last in Maryland?
The beauty of asphalt is its ability to remain flexible when weather conditions change. You can expect an asphalt driveway to last up to thirty years with professional installation and maintenance.
What is seal coating?
Maintenance and protection are as easy as sealcoating your asphalt. Used as preventive maintenance or after repairs have been completed, sealcoating restores a driveway’s appearance, prevents deterioration, and forms a protective barrier to protect the surface.
What is an asphalt paving machine?
An asphalt paving machine is used by professional paving contractors to uniformly place hot mix asphalt. As the hot mix asphalt passes under the rear of the paver the new surface is Immediately compressed providing a smooth tight surface. A tighter surface means less water will penetrate into the pavement.
How thick is asphalt?
The asphalt will come out of the machine a little over 3″ thick but must be compacted. Don’t be fooled by a contract who says they are “giving you 3″ of asphalt for the same price or less. Asphalt is very expensive and just a half inch will be over $500 in additional material costs on a 2000 square foot driveway.
What temperature does asphalt paver work at?
It is loaded into trucks at a temperature of over 300 degrees. The asphalt paver allows our crew to work efficiently and lay down the asphalt before it cools. The rake and wheel barrow method causes the asphalt to cool and results in less dense pavement and a more course surface.
How hot is asphalt liquid?
The liquid asphalt is heated to over 300 degrees and mixed with the aggregates at an asphalt plant. The HMA is loaded into trucks and delivered to your driveway. The HMA cools and must be placed before the temperature of the material drops below 175 degrees.
What does it mean when a driveway is cracked?
Generally a severely cracked or rutted surface indicates that there is a problem with the base material and the driveway must be removed and replaced. If base issues are not addressed, the new surface will crack and rut in the same areas in a very short period of time.
What does it mean when asphalt is tight?
A tighter surface means less water will penetrate into the pavement. An asphalt paver will distribute the hot mix asphalt evenly unlike a contractor who uses rakes and wheel barrows. Hot mix asphalt is a perishable product. It is loaded into trucks at a temperature of over 300 degrees.
Can you overlay an existing driveway?
Typically homeowners will overlay an existing driveway that is in less than ideal condition and/or are in need of extending their driveway to make room for additional cars. The final result is a new larger continuous driveway.
What is Asphalt?
Asphalt technically refers to a sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. Though, since roughly 70% of the material is used in road construction, the term “asphalt” is often used to describe asphalt concrete.
How is Asphalt Pavement Made?
Asphalt pavement is made by combining aggregate, such as crushed rocks, gravel, or sand, along with asphalt cement as the black sticky adhesive that binds everything together. The asphalt itself serves as a binder for the mineral aggregate, which is then laid in layers and compacted.
Types of Asphalt
There are many different types of asphalt pavement, each of which cater to different situations. The three main types of asphalt mixes include hot, warm, and cold. However, each of these can be manufactured to form mixtures that meet the needs of a specific project.
Final Thoughts
Knowing which type of asphalt should be used for a specific project could mean the difference between the success and failure of your entire endeavor. By understanding all the types of asphalt, their specific uses, and their benefits, you should not be able to determine which is best for your property.