3 Ways Asphalt and Concrete Surfaces Positively Impact Communities

Asphalt companies have made a significant contribution to our nation’s transportation system by paving roads that are cost-effective, safe, and can withstand the harsh cycles of freezing temperatures. Without asphalt roads that feature a dark surface which significantly reduces glare and is skid-resistant to reduce accidents on wet roads, the number of highway and road accidents would be higher.

There are other advantages of asphalt surfaces that positively impact our communities, making them safer and quieter while adding fuel efficiency.

3 Reasons to Support Asphalt Roads

1. Asphalt is sustainable and recyclable

Asphalt roads have a thick base course along with an intermediate and top wear course which is about 3 inches. When the time comes for resurfacing, it is only the top wear layer that is milled off, then reused to make a fresh new top layer about every 20 years. The underlying courses typically never need replacement and can remain very strong indefinitely.

Because asphalt is 100% recyclable, American taxpayers save billions of dollars each year when municipalities complete roadwork using sustainable asphalt surfaces.

2. Less noise means better communities

The smooth nature of asphalt roadways and the properties of asphalt itself make for a driving surface that is much quieter than other roadway materials. Notice that there are no construction joints on asphalt-paved surfaces. It is these joints that often lift up or buckle, causing noise as trucks and cars drive.

Many states have roadway smoothness requirements that must be met, and asphalt is the easiest way to create roads that are built smoothly and provide an extremely quiet driving surface. And, when the time does come to repair or replace asphalt, it is the quickest road to repair, which eliminates long hours of road construction.

3. Asphalt roads offer better fuel efficiency

The ultra-smooth surface of asphalt means there is less friction between car tires and the road. This adds to driving that is more controllable, more comfortable, and saves on gasoline. Even the construction of asphalt roads is efficient, because it is completed in just a few easy stages, which eliminates rerouting of traffic that can add to a driver’s commute time.

Fuel efficiency trickles down to greater benefits to the community, like better air quality and a smaller carbon footprint. When automobiles have better fuel efficiency, they cost less to operate and maintain. It is estimated that thousands of dollars can be saved by driving on asphalt roads.

Finally, asphalt can be formulated with a number of different additives to fit the different weather and road conditions that exist all over the country. There are some asphalt mixtures that contribute to a smoother surface and some that promote better rainwater drainage.

With the ability to engineer an asphalt roadway solution to fit the unique needs of each community, every one wins with a product that is recyclable, provides a smooth and quiet ride, and contributes to the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks.

Superior Aggregates Inc. has been solving asphalt paving problems for municipal, commercial, and residential customers in Boulder, CO and surrounding communities for over 27 years. From quick repairs to complete asphalt surface installations, we provide the highest in workmanship and material quality.

Contact Superior Aggregates to learn more about how our asphalt and concrete services can benefit you and your community.

Highways Designed with Snow and Cold in Mind

One of the more critical things to consider when it comes to asphalt construction is also one of those things that most people just don’t spend too much time thinking about: the climate.

An asphalt highway in an area that is traditionally hot all year round like Texas may look the same as one that exists in Maine – at least on the surface. But the latter is located in a place that gets particularly cold winters and that is something that absolutely has to be taken into account. In fact, there are a number of important components to highways that are designed with snow and cold in mind that you should absolutely be aware of moving forward.

Temperature Extremes

One of the major ways that highways are designed with snow and cold in mind has to do with what happens to materials like asphalt during extreme changes in temperature.

Keep in mind that materials expand and contract as the weather changes around them and unless this is accounted for, it could result in significant cracking at best and a serious compromise to the integrity of the highway at worst. In Bangor, Maine, for example, the leverage low in January is just 7 degrees Fahrenheit. By April, the average high is 53 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a significant difference and over time that could cause premature and long-term damage to the highway itself if it were not a factor in the design.

Drainage

Because asphalt is porous, it actually performs better than other types of materials in colder weather. However, this comes with a cost. Because the ice and snow melts faster, drainage has to be a top priority.

Thankfully, PVC drain piping (and a layer of gravel under the surface) go a long way towards accomplishing these goals. Not only does it help keep the highway safe, but it also reduces the overall amount of salt that needs to be used to treat the roads during the winter as well.

Fencing Around Asphalt

Snow fencing is another technique that is commonly used to preserve safety and performance for highways that are located in areas that get a lot of snow. Snow fencing can actually be put up as the colder weather approaches, and it’s a great way to prevent drifts from appearing on the road, thus putting drivers in a significant amount of harm during extreme storms.

Road Slope and Bridge Design

Finally, a lot of people don’t realize that even the pitch of the road is taken into consideration in areas that see a lot of ice and snow during the cold winter months. Highways in rural areas, for example, have a banked curve of no more than 5% to help prevent issues like sliding. Bridges on these highways are also constructed with a protective coating to help prevent premature corrosion due to the massive volumes of road salt that get used every year as the temperatures start to drop and ice builds up.

If you’d like to find out more information about the various factors that are considered when experts design an asphalt highway with snow and cold in mind, or if you’d just like to talk about the finer points of asphalt construction with someone in a bit more detail, please feel free to contact us today.

What’s the Difference Between Summer Asphalt and Winter Asphalt?

There are many reasons why so many homeowners choose asphalt to pave their driveways, patios, and other outdoor hard surfaces. Not only is it cost-effective, but asphalt is durable, flexible, easy to repair, and is low maintenance. An asphalt driveway can easily last 30 years before needing replacement.

But, how long an asphalt surface lasts depends on the asphalt company you choose and the asphalt mix (or aggregate) the contractor uses – summer asphalt or winter asphalt.

When is the best time to install asphalt?

The optimum temperature for an asphalt installation is when the temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the temperature at which asphalt cures the fastest.  But, a good asphalt company can install an asphalt driveway at any time of the year, if they use the right asphalt mix.

Still, timing is important. During the winter, the asphalt company will want to avoid freeze/thaw cycles (for obvious reasons). And, during the summer, asphalt is rarely laid fresh during the portion of the day when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.

But when it comes to temperature, asphalt manufacturers have developed different formulations to suit each season. There is a summer asphalt (hot mix aggregate) that works better during the higher temperatures of this season. And, winter asphalt (or cold mix aggregate), is designed to be installed during the low temperature months of December through March.

Best Uses for summer asphalt

From spring to the end of fall, summer asphalt is heated to temperatures between 275-325 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is important that the hot asphalt stays within that temperature range as it is being quickly applied. If it cools too much, it should be reheated. Also, the ground surface needs to be warm and dry for an ideal summer asphalt application.

This aggregate is not only best to be applied during warm months, summer asphalt is also better suited for long driveways, commercial parking lots, and public roads.

Winter asphalt applications

Winter asphalt is best for wet and/or cold weather applications. This formulation does not need to be heated constantly in order for the asphalt to adhere well to the subsurface. But, because winter asphalt is poured when the surface is cold, it will take longer to cure.

Still, you can mix and use a batch of winter asphalt and save the remainder for driveway or repairing cracks in your driveway or street patch jobs at any time. While winter asphalt is not ideal for large asphalt installations, it is an easy and economical way to keep your driveway looking pristine when repairs are needed.

For smaller jobs and when you simply want to even out your existing driveway surface for a safer, smoother driveway, then winter asphalt is the go-to choice.

When you partner with a professional asphalt company, they will know exactly the right type of aggregate mix to use, what time of day is best, and in what weather conditions will provide for the best driveway installation. Most driveways in America are paved with asphalt because it creates a skid-resistant surface, which makes your driveway safer to walk and run on. Also, an asphalt surface is smoother and more uniform than other materials.

5 Benefits of Commercial Asphalt Paving in 2023

Commercial Asphalt Paving Is Easy to Maintain

One benefit of commercial asphalt paving is that it is pretty easy to maintain. Of course, regular maintenance is required to keep the asphalt in good condition. However, asphalt companies can maintain asphalt relatively easily. One part of this is ensuring that the asphalt does not have any sitting debris or standing water. Doing so helps ensure that the asphalt does not develop potholes or cracks.

Plants may grow in the cracks if you do not regularly maintain your asphalt. As a result, these plants can damage your asphalt and require you to repair the asphalt. Even so, maintaining commercial asphalt is fairly simple and one part of this is removing debris and dirt. This makes sure that your asphalt lasts for a considerable amount of time and looks good. You can consult many asphalt companies to do this work for you.

It is a Flexible Solution

Another benefit is that commercial asphalt paving is a flexible solution. Now, a flexible solution can mean different things depending on the context. In this context, it means that asphalt is a more flexible material compared to other materials like concrete.

Asphalt is easier to repair, as previously mentioned. Additionally, asphalt is a material that breathes with the ground. You can create a routine maintenance plan to avoid more expensive repairs.

The Paving Process is Simple

It is also worth mentioning that the commercial asphalt paving process is pretty simple. Naturally, you have to start off by creating a sound structure. After that, you have to consider what kind of traffic you expect on your asphalt. As the expected weight increases, the thickness of the surface also has to increase.

Asphalt companies can get together the materials required to create asphalt fairly quickly. Due to this fact, they can usually begin paving your asphalt project without any major delays. It is also best to pour asphalt on warm and sunny days. The paving process for asphalt is much simpler than the paving process for other materials.

Commercial Asphalt Paving is Multi-Use

You might think of roads and parking lots when you think about asphalt. Those are a few common uses of asphalt. However, they are far from the only uses of this material. Asphalt is an excellent material for a number of outdoor projects. For example, asphalt also works well if you need a paved walkway.

Additionally, asphalt is an ideal material for an outdoor sports complex that includes basketball and tennis courts, as well. You can renovate several areas of commercial space with asphalt paving. For this reason, you might consider contacting local asphalt companies if your commercial space requires renovation.

Improve Drainage Systems with Asphalt

It can be a major issue if your space has water where water should not be. If your commercial space has poor drainage, this can cause damage and require frequent repairs. Additionally, excessive water can lead to erosion, potholes, and other undesirable effects. Excessive water may also cause puddles and these puddles can be a hassle for both you and your customers.

These puddles can be more than an annoyance. In fact, puddles can prove to be a legitimate safety hazard, as well. However, if you get commercial asphalt paving, you won’t have to worry about these issues. Many asphalt companies offer high-quality commercial asphalt paving at a reasonable price.

Commercial Water Drainage Tips for Concrete

If you have a concrete outdoor area such as a parking lot or patio that is having issues with drainage, there are things that can be done to help. Start by implementing these three improvements:

1. A Porous Top Paving Layer – Adding a coating such as asphalt will help the area to absorb some water. While asphalt will not absorb all of the water from a large rain storm, it will typically absorb between five to ten percent of the water, helping to eliminate deep puddles. Asphalt drainage is typically not thought of when other drainage solutions are being considered, but it can be an extremely cost effective way to improve the appearance and reduce the maintenance on a property.

2. Surface and Subsurface Drainage – Have a professional asphalt paving company review your surface and subsurface drainage systems. Often, regular maintenance will help to eliminate blockages such as debris and weeds clogging inlets. In some cases it may be a good idea to construct a new drain inlet or even add additional water storage under the concrete.

3. Local Conditions – People often wonder why their concrete pad has suddenly stopped draining water after a storm, especially if it has “worked” for years”. If nothing is wrong with the coating and drain maintenance is up to date, it might just be that local conditions have changed. This may mean that there are more storms, or improvements in the nearby area may be forcing water onto your property. Fortunately, asphalt companies are often able to devise a solution to help. Here are four of the most common solutions that are implemented by our team of professionals.

4 Ways Concrete and Asphalt Can Aid Commercial Drainage

1. Pervious Concrete – Pervious concrete has been around for a few decades, but the recent change in weather patterns and a focus on eliminating standing water has caused a renewed surge in interest. Pervious concrete can be poured into just about any shape or pattern you can imagine, and it will topically absorb three to four times more water than “standard” concrete.

2. Concrete Drainage Additions Can Assist Standard Blends – If you’re looking at improving the drainage in an already existing concrete structure, then you’ll likely want to construct additional drains. This may mean adding more inlets, and/or improving the drainage system so that more water can be stored by adding additional piping or gravel drainage under or around the area.

3. Concrete and Asphalt Can Be Sloped – Adding a slight slope to a concrete or asphalt area will help water to drain to an empty field. These slopes are very mild (typically less than 2%), and most people don’t notice that a parking lot or patio is sloped when they’re using it. In fact, most paved areas are designed to have a slight slope, but over time it’s possible for asphalt, concrete, and the gravel underneath them to shift slightly, essentially “flattening out” these areas.

4. Asphalt Can Also Be Extra-Porous. Apshalt, like concrete, can be mixed and poured to be more or less porous. Consider using a type of asphalt that is more porous. This will allow an area to absorb more water, increasing the overall absorption in some cases by up to ten percent or more.