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Using a base can help you reduce the amount of asphalt needed. A base of crushed gravel that is 4\u201d to 6\u201d deep with a 3\u201d base of asphalt on top can be a good option for many homes and may save over using a full thickness of asphalt.
Sarabeth is an expert in the home and garden industry and was formerly a certified kitchen and bathroom designer. She is a subject matter expert in home improvement and is often quoted in notable publications.
Asphalt is a cost-effective and attractive option for a driveway or parking lot compared to alternatives, such as concrete, and requires little maintenance. Its dark color gives it an attractive appearance and hides imperfections.
Blacktop is a popular material in the north and areas where freeze/thaw conditions may cause materials like concrete to crack. Asphalt is made of a mixture of aggregates, including sand, crushed stone, or gravel held together with a binder made of bitumen.
Hot mix asphalt is most often sold by the ton, and coverage varies based on the mix of aggregate and binder. Most asphalt mixes used for driveways and parking lots will weigh 142-148 pounds per cubic foot of coverage, with 145 being the average.
The thickness of asphalt you need will depend upon its intended use. For home driveways used by one to two cars, a 2 inch layer of asphalt is standard. A 3 inch layer might be necessary if you drive a heavier vehicle or park a heavy trailer on it. Lighter use parking lots usually are a thickness of 4 inches. Heavier use parking lots will need 6 to 8 inches of asphalt.
The industry standard weight of asphalt is 145 lbs per cubic foot. You can calculate how many tons of asphalt you need for your project with a few measurements. Measure the length, width and depth of your project area in feet. Multiply the length, width and depth together to get your number of cubic feet. Then multiply cubic feet by 145 to know how many pounds of asphalt you will need. Divide pounds by 2,000, the number of pounds in one ton. This will give you the number of tons of asphalt needed for your project.
Example: If your parking lot is 20 feet by 30 feet with a depth of 6 inches, you would calculate like this:
20 feet X 30 feet x 0.5 feet = 300 feet
300 feet x 145 = 43,500 lbs of asphalt
43,500 lbs 2000 lbs = 21.75 tons
Of course, our calculator does this for you!
The DRYCO Asphalt Calculator will give you an idea of the cost associated with your project, but all projects are different. Factors that affect the price of asphalt installation include the number of locations of work or number of patches, shape of the project, beneath the asphalt surface, local asphalt material cost, and the type of mix used.
Established in 1985, DRYCO was originally a commercial paving contractor and now includes concrete and fencing divisions. DRYCO works with property managers, general contractors, and commercial businesses to keep their most valuable assets protected and maintained.
When we combine the cost of driveway materials and installation prices, we can get a better sense of overall cost. Remember that each type of material requires different steps to prepare the land, seal it for longevity and ensure proper drainage.
Grass is a straightforward driveway option that encourages drainage and skips the hefty installation. However, you will often need a plastic or stone set of permeable grids to prevent erosion and to handle the weight of the vehicle. This is why grass driveways, with labor and materials, cost between $4 and $12 per square foot.
The middle sibling between asphalt and gravel, this sealed, aggregate-based material costs between $5 and $10 per square foot when installed. While it is not as durable or long-lasting as asphalt, it does provide a similar look at a lower price point.
Extend the life of your driveway by opting for classic concrete for between $9 and $24 per square foot. The larger price range for a concrete driveway accounts for both basic concrete as well as custom designs with stain, stamping or reinforcement.
Say goodbye to snow shoveling and slippery driveways. Heating your driveway will cost an extra $12 to $25 per square foot, but remember that this is in addition to the materials that go on top of the radiant system.
While similar to traditional pavers, permeable pavers allow water to naturally trickle into the soil below. The process avoids rainwater runoff, overloading gutters and building up as ice on the surface. The process costs anywhere from $10 to $70 per square foot for full installation.
Your contractor will determine the thickness of your driveway depending on the material and the maximum weight load you require each day. The price range covers a standard driveway that falls between four and six inches thick. The cost will rise if you require a double layer of materials, ranging up to 12 inches, for heavy vehicles such as trucks and special equipment.
As previously mentioned, DIY driveway construction can be hit or miss. You may be able to distribute gravel, aggregate or even lay some homeowner-friendly pavers or grass grids without a professional.
However, keep in mind that many driveway designs require some form of excavation below the driveway. Not only is this process labor-intensive, but you may need specialized equipment to do it right and ensure proper drainage.
To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed two providers and five cost databases on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Driveways last an average of 20 years, though this depends on the driveway style you choose. Concrete and asphalt driveways, when well maintained, can last up to 30 years. Gravel and aggregate driveways can last much longer, but will need to be topped up every two to three years.
The primary use of asphalt is in road construction, where a customized mixture of aggregates bind together, making asphalt concrete. It is a popular choice for highways, neighborhood roads, parking lots, and other high-traffic areas.
The biggest contributing factor to calculate the cost of your asphalt surface is size. The more square footage you cover, the higher the total costs. If the surface size is bigger, you can expect a higher price tag. You can also expect that cost to cover required services, including additional grading, materials, excavation, compacting, and paving needed to complete the asphalt roadway. The asphalt paving company you work with will factor in the surface size and any other services they will use during the installation.
Determining whether you should install asphalt also includes deciding whether that surface type is the optimal choice for your roadway. For example, many people confuse asphalt with concrete. While the two are similar, there are key differences that distinguish them. Here are a few to help you consider whether asphalt or concrete is the right surface for you.
Though the materials that make-up asphalt and concrete are very different, they are also similar. Both mixtures combine stone and sand with a gravel base. The primary difference lies within the materials used to adhere to the aggregates. Concrete employs cement for adhesion, and asphalt uses petroleum.
Overall, asphalt is an efficient choice for roadway surfaces, especially those in high-traffic areas, thanks to cost-efficiency, visual appearance, and easy maintenance. In contrast, concrete is often the preferred choice for driveways and sidewalks.
An asphalt calculator will use the type of aggregates and materials used in your surface to determine its true cost. Asphalt type includes aggregate material and technology used to bind the content together.
The aggregates used in asphalt surfaces typically include hard, inert materials such as gravel, slag, crushed stone, rock dust, or sand. These aggregates are the load-supporting components of the surface that combine with binders to cement the material into one combination.
Most asphalt surfaces use a hot mix with some recycled aggregates, if not entirely all recycled materials. However, some asphalt contractors recommend different asphalt mixes depending on the location, traffic, and differences in your situation. The three major types of asphalt mixes are hot, warm, and cold.
Hot mix asphalt is heated and poured at temperatures ranging from 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is the most common asphalt used for roadways. A hot mix is also an inexpensive option, thanks to its recycled materials. It is also flexible, which makes it easy to install and repair, reducing costs.
Warm mixes are manufactured between 200-250 degrees and use fewer fossil fuel resources in the manufacturing process. Asphalt contractors will use this application technique because it is less expensive yet more flexible as it cools more slowly than a hot mix. Warm mixes can also ship to locations further-out because contractors can regulate the temperature more easily.
Working with an asphalt contractor, you can consider the differences in your project to customize a distinct mixture. You will need an asphalt mixture that is stiff yet resistant to distortion, as well as flexible and strong enough to resist cracking.
The stiffness and resistance will allow the asphalt to handle applied pressure from motor vehicles. Simultaneously, flexibility prevents most of the damage caused by contrasting pressures exerted while driving on the asphalt.
Along with the type of asphalt mixture, there are different aggregates you can combine for your surface material, including recycled, porous, and colored. Most asphalt surfaces contain some recycled material.
Colored asphalt is a popular option for decorative driveways. This asphalt surface type is available in a wide range of shades and hues. Asphalt companies will add pigment to a hot mix to achieve the chosen color. The cost of colored asphalts ranges between $5 to $7 a square foot on average.
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