New Asphalt Versus Recycled Asphalt

Fresh asphalt that comes from a manufacturing plant is the material that you may associate with new paved surfaces. If you are unaware that asphalt pavement can be recycled, you may want to explore both new and recycled pavement options to determine which material will work best for the upgrades you need to have performed on your commercial property.

New Asphalt

Hydrogen and carbon are the two main components of asphalt, and a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur are mixed in with the other ingredients. Fresh asphalt is usually dispensed into a transporter's tank. The large vehicle can be brought directly onto a jobsite, allowing a paving crew to acquire the product as needed.

Recycled Asphalt

Recycled asphalt is an aggregate that consists of original pavement that has been torn up and ground through a recycling machine. A recycling machine can also be brought to a jobsite and will provide a crew with a way to prepare used asphalt on the spot.

A recycling machine can support many loads of recycled product, resulting in the production of asphalt that looks the same as new asphalt and that binds in the same manner that fresh pavement would. Two key differences between new and recycled asphalt is that fresh product isn't always readily available. An order needs to be placed with a supplier, and this could postpone a paving job for a couple days.

Recycled asphalt, however, can be prepared within minutes, as long as an existing paved surface is present. The other difference is that recycled pavement will usually cost less than fresh product. If you are on a budget and the parking lot that is on your property will supply plenty of used pavement, ask your asphalt contractor if they offer a recycling service and choose this method.

A Sealant

Both new and recycled asphalt will benefit by being sealed upon the completion of a paving project. Sealant will add a shiny coat to the pavement and will protect it from oil or gas spills, rainwater, and dirt. A sealant is the last step in the paving process and will not be performed until the pavement has had time to cure.

Your paving crew will rope off the paved surface to prevent pedestrians and motorists from crossing it. Once the curing has taken place, a couple coats of sealant will be brushed across the pavement. You can then choose to have the lot striped or leave it in its original state.

To learn more about asphalt paving, contact a company like ASAP Asphalt Sealing & Paving Co.


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