Are there benefits to using Recycled Asphalt?

Recycled asphalt pavement, also known as RAP, is a popular choice in road construction due to environmental and financial reasons. Businesses and homeowners can also choose to utilize it, but with some caveats.

The most used material in America and possibly all over the world is asphalt. Since the majority of roads that are paved in the U.S., including 2.3 million miles, are made of bitumen asphalt, it might not come as a shock. However, reclaimed asphalt pavement has its pros and cons.

The benefits are obvious: It's more affordable, it's green and visually appealing, and, if desired, it is permeable. However, some say it's got its downsides. There is a variety of quality, with some that could be greater "squish" when heavy vehicles traverse it. It's also not as dark hued as asphalt made of all-natural substances.

Do the positive aspects outweigh the bad ones? What chance do homeowners stand to gain if they utilize recycled asphalt? Does the typical asphalt contractor knowledgeable about the advantages and disadvantages to be able to help the average person who is seeking help from a commercial or residential asphalt contractor to improve their parking area or driveway?

Begin by examining the pros. A driveway can handle different traffic patterns than, for instance, an industrial loading dock or superhighway. These roads and parking areas which have huge, massive vehicles that pass through them, are susceptible to deformation and consequently require asphalt that is stable and resistant to traffic. Researchers have already developed ways to create more durable RAP by making blends of virgin and recycled substances, including elements like fly ash and cement and also by using geocell stabilizers (honeycomb-like grids of walls of a shorter length, which prevent the spreading).

For driveways that are typical for residential properties, this kind of deformation isn't an issue since even the biggest SUVs are far from the size of semi-tractor trailers.

The aesthetics of recycled asphalt isn't like the dark look typically seen on a conventional asphalt driveway. It is also based on the type of recycled virgin material that is used in the mix. Some people consider this to be a superior characteristic, a bit different from the dark hue that is commonplace and a grayish hue that may be more harmonious with other elements of the home, as well as the garage and landscaping.

Consider the advantages. Although every driveway is different, like paving companies, this is a case where using recycled materials for good reasons (environmental/social benefit) is also less expensive. One of the essential components in asphalt is the binder bits which are typically sourced as an oil byproduct. The price of petroleum goes through fluctuating rates, but it's insignificant when you're using an old road with potholes or a driveway. Even though it is only 5%-7% of the composition of asphalt pavement, the virgin bitumen is around 70 percent of the total cost of the material.

The environmental benefits are excellent considering that the primary components of pavement —aggregates bitumen and sand—are made from ground-up asphalt in the vicinity rather than being extracted and transported from a distance. This is the main reason why both state and federal local governments have been enthusiastically supporting RAP.

Find out why around 90 million tonnes of asphalt is recycled across the U.S. every year to build highways and roads. This is also the reason why many homeowners choose to use it on their driveways too.