Why Asphalt is a Preferred Choice for Paving
As populations grow and development increases, the need for quality and durable paving surfaces also rises. Whether for roads, highways, parking lots, or driveways, paving materials must withstand high traffic volumes, weather conditions, and the test of time.
Asphalt has proven to effectively and reliably meet these needs over many decades, making it a preferred choice for paving projects. Let’s look at some critical reasons why asphalt remains a top pick for surface paving applications.
1. Easy to Repair
When it comes to asphalt repairs, this flexible pavement surface offers many benefits due to its nature. Damages or failures can often be addressed through routine or spot repairs instead of full demolition and replacement. Common fixes like potholes or utility cut patching are quick and affordable, and cold or hot mixes can match the existing pavement.
For instance, if you are living in Vancouver, look for asphalt paving Vancouver contractors who can efficiently complete various asphalt repairs and installations. Their processes allow the existing asphalt surface to be reused through patching or overlay applications. This translates to fewer long-term costs for residents and building owners than repairing or replacing rigid pavement types.
2. Asphalt is Durable
One of the top attributes of asphalt is its durability and withstanding wear from vehicle traffic over many years. Asphalt roads are designed to carry heavy commercial and passenger vehicles without excessive deterioration. Modern asphalt mixes are engineered with the right balance of binders and aggregates to form a highly durable surface.
Asphalt pavements that were installed decades ago are still in service today, with periodic repairs and overlays to prolong their lifespan. This contrasts with other materials that may require complete replacement more frequently.
The durability of asphalt is due to its flexibility and ability to resist cracking from movement in the underlying soil or pavement base layers. Asphalt forms a monolithic surface that bends and stretches rather than breaking apart. Asphalt chemistry and mix design advancements have led to pavements that last significantly longer before maintenance is needed. Overall, asphalt provides an excellent return on investment as a durable paving material.
3. Enables Environmental Sustainability
Usually, asphalt paved roads provide communities with significant sustainability advantages over their lifespan. To begin with, asphalt can be reused by recycling old pavements, reducing the necessity for virgin materials on new roads.
Furthermore, asphalt removed from aging streets can be milled and added to fresh pavement mixtures. As a result, this recycling allows vast amounts of asphalt to be perpetually reused, subsequently lowering the environmental impacts of extraction and transport of raw aggregates and binders.
In addition, asphalt surfaces engineered and maintained properly will serve communities for decades before rehabilitation is needed. Consequently, this longevity means less frequent repaving is required than alternative materials like concrete.
Similarly, asphalt production and construction have better energy efficiency than cement or other surfacing options. Its constituents are widely and locally available in nature.
Consequently, asphalt’s long lifespan and ability to be perpetually recycled at high rates through milling make it an excellent pavement choice to enable environmental sustainability and stewardship of infrastructure for communities now and long into the future.
4. Asphalt is Cost-effective
While the upfront costs of new asphalt construction are on par with other paving options, asphalt stands out for its excellent value over the pavement’s lifetime. Its inherent durability means fewer repairs, less frequent maintenance cycles, and longer intervals before replacement is needed.
The ease of localized asphalt patching and overlay work also makes for much lower long-term management expenses than alternatives. As discussed, asphalt pavements are also highly recyclable at the end of their useful life.
The reclaimed asphalt can be incorporated into new construction, further offsetting material costs. Few other paving materials offer this kind of sustainability and reuse potential.
When accounting for total costs to own and maintain a pavement system over several decades, asphalt consistently comes in as the most cost-effective solution. This strong economy has contributed significantly to asphalt’s widespread use internationally.
5. Increased Versatility
The material properties that make asphalt successful for major roadway projects also enable its use in all pavement applications. Asphalt is a top choice for parking lots due to its durability under vehicular traffic and repairability. Driveways also commonly use asphalt for its affordability and proven performance.
Furthermore, its installation process adapts well to tighter urban spaces. Asphalt mixes can even be used to pave green spaces and recreation paths thanks to asphalt’s stability in withstanding pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Today, asphalt mixtures are customized with specific additives, aggregates, and recycled materials to serve specialized applications from airfields to residential streets. This versatility has secured asphalt as the go-to paving solution wherever reliable, long-lasting surfaces are required.
Conclusion
From congested city arterials to rural farm roads and beyond, asphalt continues to supply communities with quality paved infrastructure based on the above advantages. Its proven durability, repairability, smooth-riding character, reuse potential, and competitive lifetime costs position asphalt above competing materials for surface pavement needs.
As development expands to support growing populations, the preference for asphalt paving seems assured to persist well into the future. Overall, the inherent material attributes and proven track record have solidified asphalt’s place as a top choice wherever high-performance, economical, and sustainable paved surfaces are required.