Find the Best Asphalting Contractors Near You

There are three different grades of asphalt:

• I-2 (Base). This asphalt grade consists of ¾ inches of stone. It is commonly used in the stabilisation of corn level.
• I-5 (Top). A more common grade for asphalt used for businesses and homeowners.
• I-4 (Commercial Top). This final asphalt grade is a mixture of ¾ inches of stone. It is used to add stability and strength for the asphalt.

Yes, you certainly can. But asphalting a driveway is hard work and isn't a job for just one person. Furthermore, asphalt isn't generally a suitable do-it-yourself material. Consider that to build an asphalt driveway, you need to consider the following:

1. Do you have all the necessary tools and equipment? For instance, you will need a packer or a roller to smooth out and level the sand base. Next, to help you properly fit in edges as well as corner pieces, you will also need saws that have stone cutting blades. You might also need to decide whether to use larger or smaller stones while fitting. This is because, while larger stones are easier to fit, smaller stones are more flexible and easier to carry by hand. You also need to

• Break up and remove existing pavement and gravel.
• Compact the soil using a drum roller.
• Put in a base of hardcore and fine gravel.
• Install the asphalt, then compact it.

2. What is the size of your planned driveway? Larger driveway projects are expected to be more complicated than one-car driveways.
3. Is it that costly to hire an asphalt paving contractor? As a material, asphalt is cost-effective and easily installed. Since it will not require much laborious work, hiring an asphalt contractor is actually inexpensive.

Finding the best asphalt contractor may be a difficult task. You have preferences in mind when it comes to your asphalt construction project. Therefore, you’d want workers who can follow those preferences. Below are some tips on how to find the best asphalt contractor:

• Reference. You might have friends, family, or coworkers who have previously hired an asphalt company. It’s an excellent opportunity to ask for their recommendations and evaluate how effective their suggested contractors are.
• Experience. Those who have worked with plenty of asphalt paving projects are sure to have the necessary skills to provide you with high-quality asphalt construction work.
• Permits, insurance, and warranties. Always make sure that you hire a contractor who has a permit. This ensures that they have all the skills and experience needed for the job. Insurance protects you from being liable in the event of injuries or property damage on the site. Well written warranties are another essential factor to look for in an asphalt company. Here, you will see whether the contractors are both confident and honest with their work.
• Transparency. The contractor that can answer your questions and concerns is someone you can trust to do an honest and high-quality job. You can also take the time to learn about the asphalt paving industry and the different types and grades of asphalt. It will give you the chance to ask the right questions and expect the right answers.

With iseekplant’s nationwide network of asphalt contractors, you can easily find them in all capital cities from Brisbane to Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Darwin to Perth and Adelaide. You can also get asphalt quotes in all major towns and cities from Townsville down to the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Central Coast and Geelong.

The asphalting process typically involves site preparation, laying the asphalt material, and compaction. First, the site is cleared and graded to create a stable base. Next, hot asphalt mix is laid down using a paver machine. Finally, rollers compact the asphalt, ensuring a smooth, durable surface. This process requires precision and skill for optimal results.

Asphalting costs vary based on the project scope and asphalt type. Residential driveways typically cost between $25 - $40 per square metre. Commercial parking lots may range from $30 - $50 per square metre, while road surfacing can cost $35 - $60 per square metre. Costs are influenced by material quality, site preparation, and regional factors.

In road construction, several asphalt types are used, each with specific properties. Hot Mix Asphalt is common for its durability and is ideal for high-traffic areas. Warm Mix Asphalt reduces emissions, suitable for urban projects. Mastic Asphalt, known for its waterproofing abilities, is often used for special applications like footpaths and bridges. Each type is chosen based on project requirements and environmental conditions.

Asphalt typically takes around 24 hours to be ready for vehicle traffic, though this can vary. Full curing, where the asphalt reaches maximum hardness, can take 6 to 12 months. However, traffic and light use can occur well before this period. Temperature and humidity play significant roles in determining the curing time.

The lifespan of asphalt pavement depends on factors like installation quality, maintenance, and traffic load. Generally, well-installed and maintained asphalt pavement can last 15 to 20 years. Regular maintenance, such as seal coating and crack filling, can significantly extend its life. Heavy traffic and environmental conditions can affect longevity.

Asphalt driveways are usually cheaper than concrete ones. As per the iseekplant Concrete Driveway Cost Guide: "An average-sized concrete driveway to a residential property should cost between $65 to $150 per square metre". As mentioned earlier, the average asphalt driveway cost per square metre is about $30 to $35. Even at its cheapest, concrete driveways are typically more expensive.

Weather conditions greatly impact asphalt laying and curing. Ideal conditions are warm and dry, as asphalt requires a certain temperature to properly compact and cure. Cold or wet weather can lead to poor compaction and delayed curing. Extreme heat can also be problematic, causing the asphalt to become too fluid and challenging to work with. Proper planning and timing are essential for successful asphalting in varying weather conditions.

Precisely how large is your driveway? What is its length and width? What is your local council's required thickness for asphalt driveways? An asphalt mix is prepared for every asphalting project, so there's a cost associated with making the asphalt that doesn't vary depending on the driveway's size.

In addition, asphalt delivery costs money. Your expense can increase or decrease depending on the distance of the materials supplier to your project. There's more: Using a warm or hot asphalt mix will affect the price as well, the farther your supplier is located.

Some asphalting contractors won't charge more for distance but will for accessibility. If your project's location isn't convenient to get to, the contractor will have more difficulty bringing everything they need. This can slow down the asphalting process, including any preparation work that needs to be carried out – and this will affect your asphalt driveway cost.

An asphalt driveway and a blacktop road may look the same, but they're different. The materials used to create asphalt and blacktop are exactly the same: bitumen and crushed stone. The difference is how those materials are mixed. Blacktop has a higher percentage of natural crushed stone added into the mix. It's also heated to a higher temperature of around 300 degrees (asphalt is heated at 250 degrees). The result? A blacktop road's surface sparkles more than asphalt.