You see asphalt almost everywhere. It’s the material used on the roads you take, the sidewalks, and parking lots. In fact, 94 percent of the paved roads in the US today are covered with asphalt. It’s a popular and highly durable material trusted by contractors and builders because of its excellent performance. Despite all its benefits, there are plenty of myths and misguided claims surrounding it.
In this article, we’ll enumerate some of these claims and debunk them to ensure the facts are straight.
Installing asphalt is expensive
The truth is any pavement construction, whether it’s for the driveway or parking lot, doesn’t come cheap. Asphalt pavement can be expensive, but it is less pricey than concrete. Installing an asphalt driveway will cost you around $2 to $5 per square foot, which is half the cost of concrete installation.
Asphalt is created from recycled materials and is easy to produce. Apart from that, it won’t cost much when it comes to maintenance, making it the cheaper option in the long run With proper maintenance, asphalt can last longer than concrete and will also require fewer repairs. Therefore, it is more cost-effective compared to concrete.
There’s no need for a foundation when installing asphalt
Asphalt is like concrete when it comes to installation. It requires a stable foundation so it won’t get cracks or potholes during construction. When damage occurs, the whole pavement is weakened, causing more of your budget to be allocated to repairs and maintenance.
You can install asphalt on your own
Many online videos will show you how to install an asphalt pavement on your own. While it is true that anyone can install asphalt, the average person won’t be able to guarantee quality results. You’ll need experience as well as proper equipment and technical knowledge for the installation to be done well.
Letting professionals deal with your pavement construction project will save you a lot of time and stress. It will also be easier to maintain or repair it if you already have a contractor.
Using asphalt is not good for the environment
The earlier version of asphalt was indeed not environmentally friendly. However, the asphalt industry made active efforts to ensure that it becomes a sustainable material. Asphalt can now be recycled and reused. In fact, about 60 million tons of asphalt have been reused in the US. Since the material can be recycled, its production plant applied stricter guidelines for its emissions. The instructions even exceeded the requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This recycling capability of asphalt helped American taxpayers save more than two billion dollars per year.
Asphalt has a quick life span
Asphalt surfaces can last up to 20 years if maintained well. It can even extend up to 25 years when these points are met:
- Modern technological advancements
- Updated application methods
- Careful installation
- Regular maintenance
While some people believe asphalt to have a relatively short lifespan, this isn’t true. Routine maintenance made some parking lots and roads last for up to 60 years. It is a highly reliable material you can use for your paved driveway or parking lot.
Conclusion
Asphalt is a popular material because of its many advantages, but the myths and false information surrounding it can make the public think twice about using it for their construction projects. So long as these misguided claims are being spread, home and property owners everywhere will be missing out on the wonderful benefits that it can offer.
While there are pros and cons to every pavement material, one thing is for sure; asphalt is a quality material that can make your road, driveway, or parking lot smooth, durable, and long-lasting at a lower price and environment safe process.
If you’re looking for paving companies in Monmouth County, NJ that will bring you quality asphalt paving, contact us at Dan the Paver, Inc. We are experts in many areas of paving and landscaping, offering quality results backed by 25 years of industry experience. Check out our list of offered services here.