Asphalt is an excellent material for paving roads, parking areas, and driveways. According to the National Asphalt Paving Association, asphalt covers more than 90% of parking areas. When used as a paving material, asphalt has many advantages over concrete. Here’s a closer look at what makes asphalt so popular as a paving material.

Durable

Asphalt is a very durable paving material. It can hold up to the wear and tear caused by big rigs as well as cars and other private passenger vehicles. Asphalt resists cracking or breaking and can last for many years when properly maintained. Asphalt can withstand road salt and various deicing agents used to keep snow and ice from forming during the winter.

Easy Installation

Asphalt is very easy to install compared to concrete. Asphalt cures very fast and often is usable within a day or two of installation. Work crews pour asphalt and use heavy rollers to smooth out the surface before letting it cool and cure. This process is not very time-consuming, so your asphalt lot or driveway will be ready in no time.

Simple to Maintain

Maintaining asphalt is easy. Commercial paving contractors can fill and cover cracks and other minor defects with a seal coat. The seal coat creates a protective layer that's built to last, making the asphalt more durable. New asphalt can fill in potholes and existing asphalt holes when needed. Because asphalt isn't too difficult to maintain, it's a very popular paving material.

Asphalt seldom reaches a state of disrepair because it is easy to fix imperfections that develop over time. Cracks are easy to fill with new asphalt, and so are the potholes that sometimes develop in asphalt. If the ground beneath settles or undergoes movement that deforms part of the paved surface, new asphalt can smooth out the imperfections and restore a safe and durable road, driveway, or parking area.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Freshly laid and striped asphalt creates a final product that looks great and contrasts well with the surrounding environment. Whether using it to pave roadways or to lay driveways and parking areas, new asphalt is seamless and flawless. Striping can stand out against the black asphalt surface, so it's a lot easier to see when driving and while parking.

Minimal Sound

Asphalt absorbs sound waves instead of reflecting them outwardly like concrete does. The malleable nature of asphalt prevents it from reflecting sound waves. Because asphalt is a relatively quiet paving material, it has become very popular for use on roads, highways, and freeways that pass through cities and residential areas.

Weather-Resistant

Rain, sleet, and snow are less likely to penetrate asphalt than concrete. The generally uniform nature of an asphalt roadway does away with the seams that concrete contains. Without any seams, water cannot penetrate and freeze on cold nights, further causing cracking and potholes. When cracks do occur, laying new asphalt over it fills in the cracks and makes them impervious to water penetration. The ability to resist weather much better than concrete helps to make it a very popular paving material.

Recyclable

When it is time to remove asphalt, it does not get hauled away to a landfill. Instead, asphalt can be ground up and recycled by using it to lay a base for roadways, driveways, and parking areas. What once was paving material becomes an excellent base for a new layer of pavement after undergoing the recycling process. When an asphalt road, driveway, or parking area is installed, it's often done upon the remains of a prior paved surface.

Cost-Effective

Asphalt is a much more affordable paving material than concrete. It goes down faster and is quicker for work crews to pour and compact. Asphalt's curing time is short, so you can start using it sooner than concrete, which might take up to a month to fully cure. Because it is a lot easier and quicker to put into place, the labor costs are much lower with asphalt. The better cost of asphalt is another reason why it's a very popular paving material.

You can learn more about the benefits of asphalt and commercial paving when you call or visit us at Alto Construction. Our commercial paving experts are here to help you! Get in touch today.