Paving is the process of laying stones in a specific pattern outdoors. There are different types of materials used for paving, such as asphalt, stone, bricks, and tiles. Paving is done to protect the area from harsh elements and aesthetics. The definition of a paver is a person who is skilled at laying paving stones.
Paving can be done on patios, courtyards, and even sidewalks. Architectural pavers will advise you on what is best for such areas, depending on your requirements and budget. Compared to concrete, pavers are easy to maintain, long-lasting, and offer stunning aesthetics. Additionally, it raises your property’s resale value. Concrete may be cheaper, but pavers are a better investment.
A road paving company repairs concrete pavements, and also builds new roads, pavements, curbs, and sidewalks. Asphalt is a popular choice for most people, and asphalt and paving companies recommend it as it is durable and cost-effective. Asphalt can also be recycled.
Once you have decided to pave an area of your property, look around for experienced paving contractors who can guide you on this. Also, ask for references from previous clients. Get a few quotes before deciding on your preferred choice.
If you need part of your property paved, you should look into paving services in your area. While it might be tempting to do it yourself to save money, asphalt companies in the area have the tools and training needed to do the job correctly the first time. They can come to your property and give you a quote before starting the job, ensuring that you know how much money you’re going to need to spend. The best way to approach this is by contacting several asphalt delivery companies for quotes. That way, you know you’re getting the best work for the best price.
To find asphalt construction companies near me, you should ask others for recommendations. You can contact people you know or you can go online for reviews. If you read reviews of a particular asphalt construction company that seems like a good fit, you can then move on to contacting them. This approach will also help you to avoid companies that aren’t a good fit for you. However, it’s important that you use several sources to get information instead of relying on just one.
We may not give a lot of thought to how our streets, parking lots, and other public areas are paved, but the choice of paving material can actually make a difference in the noise we hear, how durable our roads and sidewalks are in different weather, and the impact on our environment. Given that there are 500 million surface parking lots just in the United States and and almost 4 million public roads in the United States, there’s a lot of ground for paving companies to cover. Asphalt is a popular paving choice in both public and private sectors. Many homeowners also opt for asphalt paved driveways, since asphalt paving is often easier to repair, maintain, and has a lower upfront cost. Let’s get more in depth as to why asphalt is a great choice for America’s highways, sidewalks, driveways, and more!
What is Asphalt?
Asphalt is similar to concrete in that it’s made using aggregate (often gravel, or other crushed rock, sand, and other minerals). However, it’s all bound together using bitumen, which comes from crude oil and is dark and sticky. The combination is heated and poured over a layer of heavier aggregate and pressed into that layer using a steamroller, and sealcoating is usually applied.
Where Is It Being Used?
The Federal Highway Administration reports that there are almost 4 million miles of public roads and of the 953,000 miles of paved roads, almost 800,000 of those are paved with asphalt. (This is not counting the 1.8 million miles that are paved local roads of indeterminate paving and the 1.3 miles that are unpaved.) There are around 18 billion tons of asphalt pavement used on American roads and they can be mined for reuse in new asphalt pavements.
The FAA National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) reports that between 85 and 90% of the almost 3,500 runways in the country are paved with asphalt. Over 90% of parking lots in the United States are surfaced with asphalt; it’s the material of choice for the majority of development owners. Additionally, 65% of the asphalt pavement market comes from publicly funded highway projects. Residential and non-residential construction comprises the other 35%.
There are around 3,500 asphalt mix production sites at work all across the United States. They produce around 350 million tons of asphalt pavement every year.
Why Is Asphalt Such a Good Choice For Paving Material?
Asphalt is very hard and durable, but yet flexible enough to allow for imperfections in underlying surfaces. It also offers a smoother pavement, which can extend pavement’s life by between 10-25%. This cuts down on road maintenance costs.
However, if asphalt repair is needed, getting rid of damaged asphalt and replacing it is relatively simple and relatively easy compared to other pavement types, like concrete. Indeed, homeowners often repair cracks in their asphalt driveways or walkways themselves! Asphalt can also be resurfaced in a short amount of time and at a much lower cost than other types of pavement material, which is great for everything from parking lot repairs to a residential driveway.
Asphalt is also incredibly recyclable. Indeed, the asphalt industry is the country’s top recycler! The amount of recycled asphalt pavement that was turned into new asphalt pavement was 56 million tons in 2009 and over 62 million tons in 2010. The asphalt industry turns over 99% of asphalt pavement from old projects into new projects.
Using asphalt can also reduce highway noise. Research conducted both in the United States and Europe showed that using Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) or Open-Graded FrictionCourse (OGFC) can cut down highway noise by three to five dB(A). In practical terms, that means that for the average person, the reduction is equivalent to doubling the distance between the source of the noise (the highway) and where they are.
As evidenced here, there are plenty of good reasons for choosing asphalt as a paving material. It’s reflected in its prevalence on our roads, driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots all across the country. It’s durable, easy to maintain and repair, environmentally friendly, and can even help reduce road noise — what’s not to love?
