Did you know that asphalt is paved in a variety of ways depending on when you install it? Most people wait to do asphalt work until the summer. However, you don’t necessarily need to. Depending on the weather, you are going to need to choose between cold-mix asphalt and hot-mix asphalt. While there are many advantages to laying down asphalt in the summer, that doesn’t mean you can’t do any paving in the winter. That said, here are the differences between summer asphalt and winter asphalt.
Laying Asphalt In The Summer
Many people will wait and do their big asphalt projects in the summer. This is because asphalt has two major methods of installation. These methods are called cold mix and hot mix.
Hot mix asphalt requires that the temperature is above 55 degrees during installation. This is because, at colder temperatures, you risk cooling the mix down during transport. Once the mix is cooled down past a certain point, it becomes impossible to use effectively.
Now there are instances where the temperature can get above 55 degrees in the winter, however, that’s nowhere near as consistent as just waiting for summer. Because of this, it’s best to save your larger projects for the summer.
Hot asphalt is used for highways, parking lots, and driveways because it is the most durable mix on the market. It is heated to 300 – 350 degrees before being transported and laid on location. Because of this, it is important to note that you are going to be in a time crunch when using it. Failure to lay it down before it cools off will result in you having to try again.
This trait is why warmer temperatures are required to lay it down. During the winter, the mix cools off a lot faster, meaning that the window of opportunity to install it is greatly reduced. That said, if a company knows what it is doing, you should never run into this problem.
Laying Asphalt In The Winter
Unlike hot mix, cold mix asphalt does not need to be at a specific temperature before it is ready to be laid down. This means that it is perfect during the winter season for small repairs, cracks, and potholes. This gives it a niche on the market; however, cold mix asphalt should never be used as a material for an entire project. It is far less durable than hot mix asphalt and is not designed to support weight in the same way that hot mix asphalt is.
Cold mix asphalt is cheaper than hot mix asphalt; however, this comes at a different cost. Its lifespan, flexibility, and durability are all lesser than its counterpart. You will want to weigh your options before investing in this product, as many issues can arise from overusing it.
Which Is The Best Season To Pave Asphalt?
As you can probably guess, summer is undoubtedly the best time of year to pave asphalt. Hot mix asphalt solidifies faster and is sturdier. The hot weather throughout the summer also means you won’t have to worry about the temperature dropping below the installation minimum. Because of this, you’re able to be flexible when it comes to scheduling your paving project.
On the other hand, winter requires you to use cold mix asphalt. Using cold mix means that you’ll have to wait longer for it to solidify, along with only being able to perform repairs and upkeep. Overall, both mixes have their uses during each season, however, if you want long-lasting asphalt, save your bigger projects for the summer.
Have More Questions?
You can count on Walt’s Paving to complete your residential or commercial paving project in an efficient and timely manner. We have over 40 years of experience paving asphalt driveways, making asphalt repairs, and seal coating asphalt. We are located in Osceola IN and service homeowners and businesses within 50 miles of Elkhart IN. If you have any further questions regarding our services, do not hesitate to contact us today.
