If you are considering getting your driveway or parking lot repaired or replaced, you may be wondering what exactly hot mix asphalt is, especially in relation to cold mix asphalt, one of the other most popular asphalt types.
Cold mix asphalt is a cost-effective type of asphalt that can be poured directly from bags into potholes or cracks in surfaces made of asphalt in order to stop the damage from spreading any further. Unfortunately, cold mix asphalt is far less durable, and therefore is only used as a temporary fix.
Hot mix asphalt, on the other hand, is used for bigger, longer-lasting jobs. Hot mix asphalt is a mixture of sand, gravel, and asphalt cement. It is heated up at the factory and shipped in massive trucks to the job site to be poured. It cools down quickly once poured, so it is often ready to use shortly after being installed. Once it’s on the ground, it is more resistant to extreme temperatures, and can even hold enough heat to help melt snow faster. It can flex better than cold mix asphalt as well, allowing it to expand and contract with varying temperatures throughout the year. Those same properties make hot mix asphalt more durable too, allowing it to withstand the demands of heavy traffic along roads.
We here at AAA Top Quality Asphalt are experienced in installing hot asphalt, and we are dedicated to making sure our customers get the most out of their asphalt. If you need paving services, please be sure to give us a call.