Benefits of Choosing an Asphalt Driveway

When it comes to installing a driveway, homeowners have plenty of options. The building materials need to be durable and long-lasting. Routine exposure to all-weather can break down the product over time. During the months with extreme high and low temperatures, the driveway undergoes strain from the absence of moisture and carrying the weight of vehicles. It’s critical to choose something that will not only last for many years but provide a safe environment for the home.

An asphalt driveway is a superior choice for homeowners. The compound offers many benefits such as safety improvements and easy installation. There are many products available. From brick to concrete, each possesses properties different from the other that contribute to the health of your driveway. Today we take a closer look at how asphalt will benefit you and your home.

ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS ARE ECONOMICAL

Installing a durable driveway shouldn’t be expensive. There are plenty of materials on the market that offer superior quality and longer lifespans. But, if you want something that is both tough and affordable, asphalt is a preferred choice. The material itself doesn’t require as much time and handling making it cheaper upfront just in installation costs.

Additionally, the product is more accessible and therefore contributes to the lower price point than its counterpart concrete. In most instances, an asphalt driveway can be laid in one or two days depending on the project’s scope. What that means for homeowners is less time parking on the side of the road while the material solidifies. Concrete, on the other hand, can take twice as long. The warmer the weather, the quicker the asphalt cures.

DRIVEWAYS MADE FROM ASPHALT ARE DURABLE

Asphalt is an all-weather material. Tennessee residents are lucky enough to experience all four seasons which means an asphalt driveway is an attractive option. The product is made from various materials. Gravel, stone, and a binding agent makeup the core of the product. Each component contributes to its longevity. The gravel and stone are natural compounds that withstand abrasion from tire traction. The binding agent adheres to the aggregate to form a waterproofing barrier that prevents premature damaging and help the stone and gravel become a stable compound.

Building materials present in outdoor elements need characteristics that help it withstand prolonged exposure to harsh conditions. Besides durability, the product needs to move with the temperatures, expanding and contracting as they rise and fall. The binding agent found in asphalt allow for this flexibility to take place. Using asphalt in your driveway will outperform concrete or brick because it won’t crack or strain under the tension created by hot and cold weather.

YOU CAN IMPROVE SAFETY WITH AN ASPHALT DRIVE

Asphalt, sometimes called “blacktop,” is laid as an option for homeowners who need something that is safe. Routine exposure to UV rays from the sun cause materials of any kind to deteriorate. When harmful UV rays penetrate the surface of the blacktop, the binder begins to break down. Gaps in the aggregate invite water to penetrate and reach the foundation of the driveway. This can lead to numerous problems such as cracking and splitting. Plants can grow and encourage the foundation to separate even more.

Asphalt differs from other materials because it has options for added layers of protection. Sealcoating your asphalt driveway is a preventative treatment that helps eliminate unnecessary problems. Rather than leaving your driveway vulnerable, you can have sealcoating applied to protect the material from harmful UV rays. Without splitting and cracking, you don’t have to concern yourself with cracks or potholes forming that could cause damage to your car.

ASPHALT IS EASY TO INSTALL AND RECYCLABLE

One of the contributing factors could be the easy installation method. As we previously mentioned, unlike other materials, asphalt doesn’t require an absorbent amount of time. When maintenance is required such as crack filling, resurfacing, or sealcoating it takes nominal time. The same can be said if you need to remove an old driveway and have a new one laid.

There is a lot to consider when you are building a home and your carbon footprint is one of them. If your interested in installing a material that is recyclable consider an asphalt driveway. A blacktop top can last for decades, but when it’s time to establish a new one, recycling the asphalt is an option. Many construction companies explicitly use reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP).

Categorised in: Asphalt, Residential Asphalt Services