With numerous options out there for the type of driveway that can be installed on your home, it can be hard to choose one that is both durable and appealing. However, one choice may be better than the others. Asphalt paving has a number of benefits that can keep your home looking inviting and clean while having a functional space for parking your vehicle. Here are 5 ways asphalt paving can benefit your home.
Asphalt is durable, even for the winter weather
The winter months can be tough on driveways, but asphalt is tough enough to get through them. Winter is notorious for putting driveways through a freeze-thaw cycle when temperatures drop below freezing and then slowly creep back up. Water in and under the pavement expands and shrinks at different rates. This can put a great deal of stress on the driveway material.
Fortunately, asphalt is extremely malleable by nature. Due to its elasticity, it can endure the stresses of freezing and thawing. Of course, no matter how robust your driveway is, it will eventually be covered with snow and ice. When winter is pouring heavy snow, keeping your driveway clear might be difficult. If you prefer to treat snow and ice with rock salt, you can be relieved to hear that asphalt driveways withstand this chemical treatment better than other comparable materials.
Furthermore, there is a chance you may not need to use as much snow removal treatment because of the dark tone of asphalt. Snow that falls on asphalt driveways melts faster than snow that falls on concrete driveways. Your asphalt pavement can keep its appeal even during the winter months while still being resistant to the snow to ensure that your driveway holds that same appeal in the spring and summer.
Asphalt can stay attractive when maintained
An asphalt driveway can benefit from a sealcoating treatment every few years. A protective coating is applied to your driveway throughout this procedure. It fills up small crevices, keeping debris and water out of the nooks and crannies of your surface. Sealcoating also provides a beautiful black finish to your driveway. This is how fresh asphalt surfaces appear, yet they fade to gray with time. Sealcoating restores the original color to give it that new look. You may occasionally find cracks that are too large to be repaired with a sealcoating treatment. For major fractures or holes in your asphalt, a crack filler can be adequate. The substance used to patch cracks in asphalt will not properly mix with the surrounding area. However, that is a far better option than allowing ugly cracks to develop over your driveway!
If you have owned your driveway for a while, it could be time for a more extensive maintenance treatment. That is when your asphalt driveway may be redone. The driveway’s top layer is removed and replaced. The supporting bottom layers have been reinforced and may need to be repaired in some spots before a new top layer is applied. Resurfacing is similar to obtaining a brand-new driveway without having to invest heavily in the project. Resurfacing not only restores the dark color of a driveway, but it also removes cracks and spots and increases the life of the surface.
Asphalt has a smooth and uniform appearance
Since concrete contains cement, it has an industrialized appearance rather than a warm and inviting image. If you are concerned about this aspect and would like a driveway with a good, smooth appearance, asphalt is the way to go.
Despite the fact that there are not many colors available for asphalt, there are certain specific tints and finishes for asphalt driveways. Your paving contractor, for example, can apply a color coating including mineral aggregates, which boost slide resistance and traction. In addition, filling up cracks, holes, and chips as they occur, as well as sealing the pavement as needed, can keep your asphalt road looking good and smooth.
Asphalt is easier to repair
Asphalt is easier to fix than other materials when it comes to upkeep. When a whole asphalt driveway requires repairs, just the top layer is normally repaved. This is because an asphalt driveway’s base and intermediate layers are both considered permanent. Cracks or minor holes in an asphalt driveway may be readily repaired by most homeowners. While asphalt driveways are easier to repair, they still require regular upkeep. These repairs frequently need to be performed by a professional. When a concrete driveway develops too many cracks, it must be redone entirely. Since your asphalt driveway is easily repaired it just means that it can stay looking new with a bit of maintenance and not require a completely new driveway.
Asphalt can last a number of years
When properly maintained, your asphalt driveway will be an investment that will serve you well for many years. An asphalt driveway has a 15-year average lifetime. The upkeep necessary to extend the life of your driveway is modest. Sealcoating the asphalt every one to two years and filling cracks as needed is recommended. Resurfacing may be required every five years or so. One thing to keep in mind regarding asphalt is that it may live on even after you remove it from your driveway. Every year, almost 100 million tons of asphalt are recycled meaning you can rest assured that your driveway has aspects of reusability. Asphalt is a recyclable material, it can be used over and over, and its life cycle never ends. Asphalt roads can be dug up and then reused again. This is what makes asphalt such a popular, modern-day material.
The benefits of asphalt paving can ensure that your driveway keeps that fresh new look no matter what season of the year it is. The durability and longevity of asphalt driveways ensure that the appeal of this type of material is kept for years to come. If you are in the market for a new driveway, asphalt paving should be a highly considered option.
