Major Benefits of Asphalt Paving Driveways

 Asphalt paving has water-managing qualities – which means it has high skid resistance. Excessive surface water is the root cause of a lot of traffic accidents and fatalities across the US every year. Open-graded asphalt allows rainwater to drain right through the pavement’s surface, helping reduce the amount of surface water vehicles have to drive through. Asphalt’s dark color has multiple benefits too. It provides high contrast with the color of the road markings (just think of concrete’s lack of color contrast with white and yellow paint markings). This gives drivers more visibility during difficult weather conditions, helping reduce accidents on the road. On top of that, the darker color of asphalt doesn’t just provide better visibility for road markings, it also reduces glare – making driving more comfortable and less straining on drivers’ eyes. Asphalt’s color also causes ice and snow to melt faster (black absorbs heat a lot quicker than lighter colors) – which means less snow shoveling.

One of the most important areas of your property is the driveway. The driveway serves as the gateway to your home, and it is used several times each and every day. Maintaining the driveway is something that every homeowner is faced with. This can be a costly expense and depending on the type of driveway material, it may need to be repaved every few years. There are many different types of driveway materials to choose from, but one of the best in asphalt. Today we are going to learn the benefits of asphalt paving and what it can mean for your property. If you are a homeowner looking to add beauty and value to your home, you will want to pay close attention to the information you find below.

Safety: One of the most important benefits of asphalt is how safe it is. As previously mentioned, it is one of the smoothest options available which will reduce potholes and other road damage that could cause vehicle damage or accidents. Since asphalt is typically black in color, it provides high contrast between the asphalt itself and road markers, which are typically white or yellow. This allows stronger visibility for drivers in inclement weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow. The black color also absorbs the sun’s rays causing the heat to remain on the surface, thus melting snow and ice much quicker than other surfaces, such as concrete. This results in safer driving conditions during the icy winter months. The Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association notes that asphalt can minimize splashes and sprays that can occur during any level of rain. Between improved visibility and better conditions during any type of weather, asphalt is the safest paving material on the market.

Ease of Construction: Asphalt is by far the quickest paving method to construct. Unlike concrete, asphalt does not take time to cure, so your parking lot can reopen immediately after construction is completed. While it is always best to plan your paving projects during off-peak times – nights, weekends, or offseasons – asphalt paving decreases closures and delays, thus saving money in the long run and keeping drivers happy. This also means that when it comes time for paving maintenance, repairs will not impede your business and will cause minimal inconvenience compared to concrete.

Durability: Asphalt is one of the most durable and long-lasting pavement options available today. When asphalt construction is properly designed, constructed, and maintained, the surface can remain strong and functioning for up to 20 years or more. Without the need for constant repairs and updates, your business will save thousands of dollars every year. However, if repairs are necessary, L. Keeley has a state-of-the-art Paving Maintenance Program to help alleviate the stress of repaving.

Smoothness: The smoothness that asphalt provides is another incredible benefit. According to the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, “The smoother the pavement, the lower a vehicle’s fuel consumption.” It also allows for safer rides since drivers won’t have to worry about hitting deep potholes or cracks that could not only damage their vehicles but could also further damage the roads. The Asphalt Pavement Alliance notes, “…Improving pavement smoothness by 25% results in almost a 10% increase in pavement longevity.

Bennett Paving Inc

Austin