When you choose asphalt as the material for your next paving project outside your place of business, you may not give it much thought aside from the fact that it’s a durable material. But the fact is that this mixture of stone, sand, gravel and asphalt cement has some surprising features. We’ve compiled a few of those interesting facts:
- Asphalt is nothing new. You may think of paved roads as an advent of the 20th century, but asphalt – or some form of it – has actually been used since the time of Ancient Rome!
- Asphalt is “green.” In this day and age, nearly everyone makes some type of effort to choose environmentally friendly products whenever possible. You should be happy to know that you’ll be doing just that by choosing asphalt for your paving project. The ingredients that make up asphalt are entirely reusable, which is why old asphalt is so often recycled after it is torn up and removed.
- Asphalt is becoming more and more popular all the time. You have probably noticed that asphalt is most often the material of choice for commercial parking lots and roadways. But over the past few years, asphalt has become increasingly popular for residential projects as well, such as driveways and walking paths. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that it is relatively inexpensive compared to other pavement options.
- Asphalt now comes in a variety of colors. Whether you choose to coat the surface with color after it has been poured, or request asphalt that has been tinted during the manufacturing process, colored asphalt allows for a much wider range of options than ever before.
- Asphalt is even more durable than you may think. If you take care of your asphalt surface, it can last for several decades. Of course, taking care of it means maintaining it by keeping it clean; making sure it has adequate drainage to prevent standing water from collecting on the surface; having it seal coated periodically; and repairing minor cracks and potholes as soon as possible to prevent more damage from forming.
- All asphalt is not created equal. When it comes to asphalt, you really do get what you pay for. So beware of shady paving companies offering unbelievably low prices for asphalt surfaces. It’s entirely possible that the asphalt mixture they’re selling is below standard, and that means your surface could deteriorate very quickly.
The next time you think asphalt is boring, think again! This amazing material is strong, inexpensive, eco-friendly, and comes in a variety of colors. What more could you ask for from your pavement?