Asphalt’s integrity and longevity make it an excellent choice of pavement for roads and driveways. Today, over 94% of U.S. roads and 90% of airport runways are paved with asphalt. Homeowners choose asphalt for their driveways because it’s easy to maintain. With timely care and sealcoating, the pavement can last for several decades.
When comparing different options for driveways or parking lots, property owners worry about the costs. The price of your asphalt pavement can depend on a variety of factors. Let’s take a closer look at how much asphalt paving can cost you. you can check asphalt density measurement.
What Does Asphalt Pavement Cost Depend On?
According to Florida asphalt paving experts from ABC Paving, the price of asphalt pavement depends on the following factors.
1. Area
If you need to pave a big area, the cost of asphalt paving per square foot can decrease. You can purchase asphalt per ton, thus lowering the price of materials significantly.
If you are planning to pave a driveway, you may want to consider buddying up with neighbors to cut paving costs.
2. Company
Different asphalt paving companies charge different amounts. The price may depend on the company’s size, location, experience, and schedule. If you have time, consider shopping around to find the best paving experts in your area with a reasonable price tag.
You may need to wait for them to have free time to deal with your project. However, the result is likely to be much more long-lasting than what you may get with an inexperienced company that charges less.
3. Preparation Work
While asphalt itself makes up a large part of the pavement costs, you need to consider preparations as well. To make sure your asphalt pavement lasts for as long as possible, it’s imperative to arrange proper drainage.
Materials and work necessary to create high-quality drainage can add to the cost of your paving process. However, without them, you may need to repave the surface in just a few years.
4. Type of Asphalt
The cost of paving can also depend on the type of asphalt you choose for it. Traditionally, to pave a driveway, you can use a hot mix with some recycled content. Some asphalt mixes are made from fully recycled materials.
You can take advantage of other options that may turn out to be more suitable for your pavement.
· Recycled – if the asphalt is made of fully recycled materials it’s cheaper.
· Porous – for areas with a large volume of precipitation, a contractor may suggest porous asphalt for better drainage. This could increase the cost of your asphalt pavement.
· Colored – if you want to decorate your driveway, it’s possible to use colored material. This will increase the overall paving costs.
You can ask for the contractor’s recommendations about the type of asphalt, which is best for your budget, needs, and location.
5. The Foundation
The cost of asphalt paving can also depend on the area you are laying the asphalt on. If it needs clearing and leveling, the costs can be much higher. The type of soil can also affect asphalt paving costs.
For example, if the soil is too soft, you would need to add a rock foundation to ensure asphalt integrity. Meanwhile, a steep slope could make paving work more expensive.
So How Much Does Asphalt Paving Cost?
According to Home Advisor, in 2021, it costs between $7 and $13 per square foot to pave a driveway or a parking lot. If you want to pave a large area, you can purchase asphalt by the ton. Then you have to pay $100 and $200 per ton. One ton can be enough to pave up to 80 square feet.
The Takeaway
Asphalt pavement is usually less expensive than other options like concrete. With the right maintenance, it can last up to 20 years without the need for repaving. If you want to cut asphalt paving costs, consider choosing asphalt made of recycled materials and buy it in bulk.
Don’t try to save money on such asphalt maintenance tasks as sealcoating. By avoiding proper care, you could be incurring new asphalt paving costs sooner than you think.