Paving an asphalt driveway costs $4,737 on average, with a range between $2,932 and $6,568. This project runs $7 to $13 per square foot, including $2 to $6 per square foot for materials and $5 to $7 per square foot for labor.
Residential driveways typically use 2 to 3 inches of asphalt with 3 being suitable for occasional large trucks or heavy equipment. Underneath the asphalt you should have 6 to 8 inches of granular base aggregate. Underneath this you have soil.
Cost. The cost of an asphalt driveway is typically cheaper than concrete, costing $2.00 – $4.00 per square foot. … In contrast, a concrete driveway costs between $4.00 – $6.00 per square foot for a standard installation.
The materials that are used to make blacktop and asphalt are the same. Both are made from two ingredients: bitumen and crushed stone. The difference lies in how those ingredients are combined to make the final product.
A full-depth asphalt driveway is one that is made entirely of asphalt. The asphalt paving mixture is used from the soil subgrade to the top layer. For most cases, this top layer of asphalt of four inches or more is considered “adequate,” while 5-6 inches results in a driveway that is stronger and more stable.
During initial application, the asphalt should still be at least 220 to 290-degrees Fahrenheit. If the asphalt dips below approximately 185-degrees Fahrenheit before compaction is complete, its consistency stiffens up too much to finish the job properly.
Strong blacktop driveways are typically built using crushed angular gravel as a base. This gravel needs to be a minimum of 6 inches thick for light vehicle traffic such as cars and pickup trucks.
Making your own asphalt driveway is hard work, and not a job for one person. If you have friends who will help you, it is possible to save a lot of money by doing your own driveway, even after the cost of rental equipment is factored in.
The life expectancy varies based on climate, traffic, and maintenance. It is possible to have asphalt pavement last 25-30 years, but this depends on how strong the base is, the soil types underneath, how well those soils drain, how think the original road, parking lot, or drivewaywas paved.
Asphalt driveways should be resealed about once every three years to maintain their appearance and protect them from cracks and oil damage. As with concrete, finish the repairs, allow time for curing and clean before sealing. Asphalt sealer comes in 5-gallon drums that sell from about $8 to $20.
In general, asphalt cannot be installed when it is raining. … When rain comes into contact with fresh asphalt, it causes the oil to rise to the surface which can affect the curing time and the finished product. If asphalt is paved while it’s raining, it can reduce the overall quality of the asphalt.
Item | Unit Cost | Cost |
---|---|---|
Material Cost | $4.62 | $2,312 |
+ Labor Cost (base) | $36 | $576 |
+ Labor Cost (upgrade) | $36 | $432 |
Total Cost | $6.64 | $3,320 |
After a heavy rain or snowmelt when the ground below is soft and wet, excessive weight on the slab can press the concrete down and result in cracks. Residential homeowners who place large recreational vehicles or dumpsters on their driveways are more likely to see this type of cracking.
If you have a good, solid base of structural soil, limestone aggregate, or other materials, you can drive a 40 ton truck on four inches of unreinforced 3000 psi concrete without any issues. For poor soil subgrade, you will need a more solid concrete driveway or slab.
Ideally you want to install asphalt when both ground and air temperature are anywhere between 50 and 90 degrees. Anything below 50 or above 90 can cause a poor pour that will give you issues down the road.
Generally, new asphalt can get wet after 24 hours, with two to three days being ideal. Rain is the enemy of asphalt when paving. Rain will make asphalt dry slower, and working during rain will damage asphalt in most cases. So, when paving, try to look for a few sunny days before rain.
Not only is it extremely durable, but it is also cost-effective. So if you’re a homeowner on a tight budget that’s looking for excellent driveway material, crushed asphalt might be your best choice yet.
Generally, gravel is the cheapest material, with resin and concrete being the most expensive.
Gravel is one of the most inexpensive paving options for a driveway, at as little as 50 cents per square foot, according to the LandscapingNetwork. It provides a rustic look that works well with cottage-style homes, and it can be installed relatively quickly.
Pour pea gravel over the hot asphalt and spread the small piles with a rake for even coverage. Go over the pea gravel with a rubber roller machine 2 to 4 times to press the rocks into the asphalt. Work in the same order that the asphalt was applied so that the gravel is compacted before the asphalt starts to cool.
A ton of asphalt millings typically covers about 80 square feet at 3 to 4 inches thick.
If sealer is applied without sand, it can become very slippery when wet. Gator Paving does not spray the sealer on first and then throw silica sand or black beauty sand over the surface. This leads to an unsightly appearance and an improper application.
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