Recycled Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt millings, commonly known as crushed asphalt, is asphalt pavement that is recycled. This asphalt could be any previous asphalt project that was turned into gravel. There are no materials that are new in the construction of recycled asphalt driveway; hence, the cost gets decreased immensely. Lower prices can benefit you incredibly in this expensive world, won’t they?

So let’s dig deeper and learn more about recycled asphalt.

Recycled asphalt can only be considered high-quality and prove to be cost-effective if the asphalt pavement is appropriately screened and crushed. The processes that the crushed asphalt goes through defines the quality of it, and the more effort and time spent on it – the better the product.

You might have witnessed on the highway vast chunks of asphalt being removed after an old layer of asphalt is dug and replaced with a new one – these large chunks from the asphalt layer of old asphalt driveways is used for re-purposing and taken to recycling plants instead of being disposed of or dumped in landfills. Whatever happens in those recycling plants help produce crushed asphalt where it can be of great use for building driveways.

It is not only a growing trend but also a feasible choice to utilize recycled asphalt during driveway installation for your next driveway. Nonetheless, there are numerous things that you should consider before making the final decision. It is always better to decide wisely after being well informed; you wouldn’t want to make a hasty choice and regret later.

Benefits of Recycled Asphalt Driveway:

1. Affordability:

Using recycled asphalt for your driveway is cheap and affordable. One of the biggest pros of making use of recycled asphalt is that it is pocket-friendly. Recycled asphalt driveway doesn’t need as many resources as required by fresh asphalt driveway. A lot more oil, long hours of labor, and more workforce is necessary in order to make a virgin asphalt driveway. Therefore, recycled asphalt driveways would be the safest bet if you’re looking out for a cheaper driveway repairing.

2. Environmental Friendly:

Asphalt has non-decaying abilities – that’s why it doesn’t need to be thrown away in landfills as it doesn’t rot nor decay. This characteristic makes asphalt suitable for the environment. Crushed asphalt can be utilized again. Thus, it is environmentally friendly. Moreover, recycling and reusing of this product will help manufacturing plants lower the use of non-renewable sources too.

3. Bonding:

Recycled asphalt has excellent bonding quality. Due to the tar present in the crushed road, any driveway built from it will bond much better than any other made from products or materials which don’t bond well. Making it wet and later compacting it, helps crushed asphalt to bond quickly providing a driveway that is semi-permanent – keeping dirt and dust in place.

4. Percolation:

Driveways made up of recycled asphalt allow percolation – making it hold up well during the winter or rainfall season. Recycled asphalt is ideal for locations that go through a lot of snowfall or rain as it avoids flooding or pooling the driveway by allowing the water to pass through.

5. Appealing:

The fact is that recycled asphalt driveways are quite attractive. They are appealing and lay between an asphalt driveway and a gravel driveway. People who fall for ‘looks’ take this characteristic much more seriously than the others!

After being enlightened with the advantages of recycled asphalt, let’s shed some light on its disadvantages also.

1) Color:

The color of crushed asphalt is known to be lighter than the typical virgin asphalt. It is not as deep. While making the right choice, some individuals might turn away as they would prefer a deeper shade, which seems fresh like the non-recycled asphalt driveways. If you are one of those, then be sure to make a fair comparison between the recycled asphalt driveway and the virgin asphalt one too.

2) Quality:

When it comes to quality, recycled asphalt may prove to be lower in class than pure asphalt. The reason for it would depend largely on where and how the asphalt is crushed or recycled. It is always better to get some homework done and then make a wise decision as driveways aren’t paved every day. Ensure that you purchase the asphalt from the right and reliable recycling facility. Only then, its quality would be useful, and your driveway would last longer.

In the end, making use of recycled asphalt for the driveway is entirely your decision and call. You are the best judge of your requirements and needs. Just be careful while analyzing – weighing the pros and cons can be tricky, but keeping in mind, YOUR situation and seeking what suits you will help you through. Good luck!