The decision about what type of driveway to have installed at your home can be a tough one. There are many different types of driveways available on the market today, and each of them has its benefits. Since asphalt is one of the most popular options, you’re probably considering this material for your new or existing driveway, and you may be wondering why it’s been such a popular choice for decades now.
Well, you’re in the right place!
Asphalt has been around for centuries and is still just as popular today as it was when it was first invented in 1824. For a trained and experienced professional, the installation process is a simple one and the process from start to finish is relatively short. First, a 4-8 inch layer base of compacted granular fill is put down. This is important because it serves as a solid, well-draining base. Then this base gets covered with 2-3 inches of fresh asphalt and quickly gets compacted by a rolling machine while it’s still hot. Asphalt driveways go well with any aesthetic that you’re trying to accomplish for your property.
The Benefits of Asphalt Driveways in Riverside
As you may have noticed, asphalt driveways are known for being long-lasting with minimal maintenance requirements. If properly maintained, they’ll require little to no repairs over time compared to other materials such as concrete or pavers. Asphalt is considered to be more flexible than concrete, making it less prone to cracking than a concrete slab, for instance. However, if damage does occur due to wear and tear (such as heavy vehicles being parked on them for long periods of time, or oils and other chemicals being allowed to sit on the surface) asphalt is very easy to repair.
Another thing that customers are typically interested in is cost comparison. The cost of an asphalt driveway is also less per square foot than new concrete. These days, colored, stamped, and decorative concrete is becoming more popular for homes. While these special finishes are beautiful, the cost can end up being more than double the cost of an asphalt driveway.
We know that here in the Inland Empire–and Southern California in general–we’re more used to the word “drought” than the word “rain.” But for what it’s worth, asphalt handles harsh weather conditions very well.
A bit earlier, we explained the process of asphalt installation. What we didn’t mention, though, is the quick turnaround time. If you’ve ever driven past your favorite shopping center and noticed that a portion of their parking lot was blocked off because they’d just had their asphalt repaved, you might also have noticed that the next day, it was back to business as usual. This is because new asphalt will be ready for use almost immediately. Concrete, on the other hand, will need at least a week before it’s safe to be open to human or vehicle traffic.
The Best Asphalt Contractors in Riverside, CA
If you’re looking to get your driveway paved or re-paved and you’re looking into the best material for the project, there are many reasons to choose asphalt! And if you have any questions, we’ve got answers. And if you need an asphalt contractor in Riverside to help you with you, you’re in good hands with our team.
