High Quality vs. Low Quality Asphalt Paving

There’s a lot more to a good asphalt paving job than a flat lot. Instead, quality must be measured by years of low-maintenance, reliable service and cost savings. And to help you pick out high quality asphalt paving results from poor quality results, we’ve gone ahead and listed some of the features and specifications to watch for. 

Good Foundation Work 

All new paving should have both a solid subgrade and a strong aggregate base. This means that any loose, soft, wet dirt needs to be replaced with a compacted rock base to stabilize the earth and properly support the pavement above; Otherwise it’s only a matter of time before daily use or heavy vehicles wear it down.

Smooth Transition Areas

Look at the border between the new pavement and other paving surfaces, curbs, or drains. The transitions should be smooth and even, without a bump as cars or trucks roll over. This improves weight transfer as well as drainage and generally indicates a polished project.

Water Drainage

Water is one of the largest threats to any asphalt paving, and can damage the surface in a wide variety of ways. All new asphalt should have a good slope and good drainage performance to keep water running off and draining away down into the earth or out through other systems—never pooling on or nearby the surface.

Using the Right Asphalt Mix

Asphalt can be mixed in a huge variety of recipes with different ingredients and proportions. This directly impacts the material’s strength, handling, and final appearance (smoothness). Many mixes are designed specifically for different applications, including highways, roads, parking lots, and driveways, so be sure that the mix used for your project is a good fit.

Thickness

The heavier the traffic, the thicker the asphalt layer should be. Driveways should be at least four inches thick (depending on construction), parking lots should be four to five inches thick, and loading areas may need to be even thicker. A high quality pavement company should be able to easily evaluate your need and provide an optimal solution.

Work with the Experts

The best way to guarantee a great result is to work with a company that has a long history of reliability and quality assurance. And in West Michigan, that company is Stripe A Lot. 

Located locally in Holland, MI, Stripe A Lot has leading equipment and decades of experience providing high quality, proven asphalt services for both residential and commercial customers. We know exactly what it takes to deliver solutions that are both attractive and durable, so you have nothing to worry about once your project is finished. Call us today to get started!