Asphalt is one of the most valuable materials in home improvement. It is one of the prime materials used for paving your driveway. In this article, we will take a look at all the aspects of asphalt. This guide would help people who are complete beginners when it comes to construction and home improvement. It should be known why asphalt should be the materials of your choice, its types and its applications. We will also learn how to examine the asphalt state and what repair options to consider at what budget. So stay tuned for more.
Why Should Homeowners Consider Asphalt?
Asphalt is not only good for your pocket; it is also good for the environment. Let us take a look at some of the crucial advantages offered by it:
-
Recyclability:
Asphalt is an environmentally friendly material because you can recycle it from time to time. The asphalt that is dug up from construction sites and old paving can be collected, processed and reused. Recycled asphalt has even better qualities than a non-recycled product. The process of recycling imparts its durability, strength and increased resistance to rut.
-
Durability:
An asphalt pavement, if installed, maintained and cared for properly, keeping the weather conditions in mind, will have a lifespan of 15-20 years.
-
Absorbs Noise:
Asphalt reduces noise pollution by absorbing sounds. Its structure consists of an open, finely graded surface that absorbs road noises and reduces disturbance.
-
Lighter on the Pocket:
Asphalt is cheaper compared to concrete. Getting a driveway laid is a much cost-effective option for you. It is also easier to install and maintain.
-
Quick Usage:
After their installation, asphalt surfaces can be used within a couple of days. Moreover, the raw materials required for asphalt are pretty easy to procure and can be converted into a usable product in a short time with ease. Thus, it is widely available. Projects that require asphalt take less time to finish.
-
Ease of Draining:
Asphalt and its products are suitable for constructing roads because water can drain through them quickly. It is porous, which helps to absorb water and passes it to the gravel base from where it reaches the ground and contributes to the water table. In some cases, particular kinds of asphalt are used to redirect water flow into designated areas.
-
Asphalt Paving Leads to Fewer Accidents:
Asphalt paving creates safer roads that are less prone to accidents. This is because its porous nature leads to water drainage that makes it less slippery and resistant to skidding. In winters, snow can be easily melted and evaporated on asphalt to regain its friction. It is a safer option for both vehicles and people.
Types of Asphalt
There are multiple grades of asphalt that serve multiple purposes. This section will take a closer look at each of these types.
-
Hot mix asphalt:
This grade of asphalt is produced at high temperatures. It is the most commonly used variety of asphalt. It is used to create roads with high-density traffic, such as highway and interstate roads.
-
Cold mix asphalt:
This grade of asphalt is softer and is usually used for repairs. It acts as a water repellent.
-
Porous asphalt:
These are environmentally friendly, helps in contributing to the water table and easy drainage.
-
Warm mix asphalt:
Requires fewer fossil fuels to manufacture and is less costly.
-
Coarse graded asphalt:
This variety of asphalt is used as a binding material to provide support to the finer mixtures of asphalt that are used on road surfaces.
In a nutshell, asphalt is aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective, and easy to repair and is good for the environment. No wonder it is the material of choice for most homeowners. You can hold of the experts and get them working on the asphalt driveways now!
