How To Choose the Right Paving Material

There are many options when you are looking at crushed stone for paving. You can settle on gravel, but if you want a more low-maintenance, long-lasting solution, consider asphalt. Asphalt has many benefits.

Composition
Asphalt is a mixture of pitch and either sand or gravel. It is typically a petroleum-based material that works like cement. It is poured into the area you want to pave and shaped so that it gives you a smooth surface when it dries.

Durability
One of the strongest arguments in favor of asphalt is its ability to last a long time. Unlike cement, which tends to crack under pressure, asphalt is more flexible. It combines crushed stone for paving with malleable fusing materials, allowing the particles in it to expand and contract with weather changes. While it may need to be repaired more often in hot climates, it stands up to most weather conditions pretty well.

Bargain
Another benefit of asphalt is that it can save you both time and money. It dries quickly, so you don’t have to wait a long time after it is poured for it to be fully functional. It is also one of the least expensive paving materials you can use. It is efficient and economical.

Installation
A good contractor makes sure that your asphalt is poured correctly. When they arrive on the job site, technicians replace the topsoil with a base layer of gravel. Then they pour at least two layers of the asphalt mix over it, watching to make sure it sets up properly. If your paved area is going to see a lot of heavy vehicle traffic, you should discuss this with your contractor ahead of time so that the team can take the extra steps needed to ensure that your pavement is solid and can stand up to the pressure.

Whether you are wanting to pave just your driveway or a larger part of your property, asphalt is a good choice. It starts with a bed of crushed stones for paving and ends with a solid, long-lasting surface.