Finding the right type of asphalt mix for your parking lot paving project is essential. After all, different types of asphalt are suited to different settings and environmental factors. The initial asphalt paving is also expensive, and while reliable and regular maintenance can keep costs affordable in the long run, it is essential to get started on the right foot.
In other words, as a property owner or property manager, it is a great idea to do your homework beforehand, to best understand which type of asphalt will be ideal for your given setting. Read on to learn more about which asphalt mix is right for your Northern California parking lot.
Hot Mix Asphalt
This is the most common type of asphalt mix available, and is likely what most people think of when they imagine asphalt paving. The primary benefit of this type of asphalt mix is that it is cheap. If you need to pave a parking lot, this is likely the most affordable way to do it.
However, hot mix asphalt has its drawbacks. First, it is not an environmentally friendly product, and releases harmful gases while it is being poured. Hot mix asphalt also has limitations in terms of use: it can only be reliably poured in warm temperatures, as the asphalt will otherwise cool too quickly and be more prone to cracking.
The three types of hot mix asphalt are stone matrix asphalt, open-graded asphalt mix, and dense-graded asphalt mix.
Cold Mix Asphalt
Cold mix asphalt does not have the versatility of hot mix asphalt, and is typically used for repairs in colder climates, and during the winter. It can be extremely effective as a short term solution to potholes, cracks, and other problems with asphalt, but is not a standalone paving solution.
Warm Mix Asphalt
This type of asphalt is more akin to hot mix asphalt than cold mix asphalt. Its benefits over hot mix asphalt include a lower pouring temperature, a slower cooling time, and a less harmful environmental impact.
Porous Asphalt
Porous asphalt, as the name suggests, contains tiny holes that allow water to drain through the material. It is designed to be permeable, and is particularly useful in wet climates. While porous asphalt is more expensive than other types of asphalt, it can be very useful if you are in a location that receives a lot of water. In the long run, its cost may come down, due to the need to provide less stringent maintenance.
Contact DRYCO Today
As a property manager, your goal is to get the best asphalt paving job you can. Because the climate of Northern California can vary — hot and dry sometimes, and extremely rainy at other times — your best bet in choosing a paving material for your parking lot is to consult with an asphalt professional.
That’s where we come in. DRYCO has extensive experience in asphalt paving, repair, maintenance, and related work. If you’re looking to create an asphalt parking lot, or update or better maintain an existing lot, contact DRYCO today, and we can help you get the job done right.