Unless you’re in the paving industry, you probably think of asphalt and think it’s all the same. However, there are different types of asphalt, ways to apply it, and more that all affect the quality of the finished pavement.
One of the things that tends to go under the radar with customers the most is the difference between traditional paving vs asphalt milling.
There are major pros and cons differences between these two similar types of pavement, and today, we’re going to go over the pros and cons of each to help you choose the right asphalt for your needs.
What are Traditional Pavement and Asphalt Millings?
At first glance, asphalt and asphalt millings are the same thing. In fact, one is directly derived from the other.
Asphalt is bitumen that is manufactured and spread over surfaces to make it suitable for driving, walking, etc. It’s what you think of when you think of asphalt. Freshly manufactured, brand-new, asphalt pavement.
Asphalt millings are essentially a recycled version of that. When an area’s pavement is deteriorated and needs replacement, that asphalt is dug up, and then it’s processed with a milling machine. This breaks the asphalt up until it’s fine enough in consistency to pave an area with it, again.
While “recycled” typically sounds like a great way to use something to the maximum, but not as high-quality, that couldn’t be further from the truth with millings. In some ways, it’s actually far better.
The Benefits of Traditional Paving
Traditional paving has some pros, but it does tend to fall behind in most categories.
First, it’s brand-new. Just putting that label on it has a mental effect with most customers. It’s not recycled. It’s fresh, and you’re the first person to use it. In reality, that doesn’t mean much, but it does sway opinions with most products. Not just asphalt.
Also, whereas millings need to be used under very specific parameters, traditional paving can be done practically anywhere without any major concerns. It’s not necessarily easier to pave with fresh asphalt in comparison to millings, but it is a lot more flexible in terms of how it can be blended to work in different climates with precise specifications.
Traditional paving is also more consistent. Any time you’re breaking up used material and mixing it together to reuse it, you are going to get a bit of inconsistency in the final product. With traditional paving materials, the entire batch is made to specific standards.
Finally, you know that fresh materials are available at all times. They’re made with a byproduct from oil production, and they’re constantly being manufactured.
Millings require used asphalt to get ripped up, and while it’s normally available with ease, the increase in demand for it means it sometimes takes a while to supply a project appropriately. After all, pavement is meant to be used for years or even decades. So, old pavement isn’t constantly being torn up to make millings.
The Benefits of Asphalt Milling
While traditional paving has some great benefits, you can’t underestimate asphalt milling. Asphalt milling actually beats traditional pavement in a variety of ways.
First, there’s the eco-friendly nature of it. Bitumen is a byproduct of crude oil processing, and that’s the primary ingredient in asphalt. It’s optimal to use asphalt as much as possible rather than increase the demand for more bitumen via more oil production. It’s kind of like paper. If you can keep recycling as much as possible, you don’t have to cut down as many trees.
However, asphalt millings aren’t just eco-friendly. There are benefits that you get financially and in terms of quality, too.
Asphalt millings are cheaper and faster to install than fresh asphalt. You can get a great parking lot, driveway, or other paved surface without having to pay premium prices, and it can be done faster so you can get on with your business or day-to-day life sooner. This can’t be taken for granted given the overall costs of brand-new asphalt projects and how long they can leave a driving space inaccessible.
Asphalt millings also produce a harder, sturdier, driving surface. Asphalt requires a lot of time to harden to its maximum potential. When you start with fresh asphalt, your pavement is relatively soft until it slowly compacts. Since millings are made from grinding up old asphalt, it’s already hardened. You get to start with a rock-solid surface.
One more major benefit for company owners and homeowners is that asphalt millings require much less maintenance. This is due to its consistency and extreme hardness. Plants simply can’t grow through it with ease. So, you don’t have to worry about constantly raking it and patching up cracks. It requires occasional maintenance, but it’s mostly a set-it-and-forget-it solution.
However, it’s not just the people receiving paving services who benefit. The construction companies and paving companies that use it can also benefit greatly.
When a project is done, old asphalt is traditionally hauled off to a dump. It not only adds to landfill pollution, but it also costs to transfer the material to the dump and offload it.
Asphalt milling allows businesses to take old asphalt from projects, grind it up, and turn it into more materials to profit from.
Which is Best? Traditional Paving VS Asphalt Milling
So, which option is best? Outside of situations where the pavement needs to consist of a specific composition or there’s a shortage of millings, asphalt millings are the clear winner.
Millings are better for the environment, better for paving companies, and of course, better for consumers due to the savings and low-maintenance requirements that come with millings.
There are few situations where something is the best option for every party involved, but asphalt milling stands out as one of those rare situations. So, why not use it?
If you’re looking for asphalt paving, milling, sealcoating, whether you need patches or whole new paved areas, you can get both traditional paving and asphalt milling services from Barnes Asphalt.