Questions & Answers

Q. What is the Difference Between Asphalt ( Bitumen ) and Concrete?

Asphalt & concrete are two construction materials which are commonly used around the world. The primary difference between the two is that asphalt is made by mixing aggregate with bitumen, a sticky black hydrocarbon which is extracted from natural deposits or crude oil. Concrete is made by mixing an aggregate material with a cement binder & then allowing the mixture to harden, forming a rock-like substance. Asphalt is used for different construction tasks, ranging from roofing to driveways, footpaths, roads etc.

If you want to get really technical, asphalt is actually a form of concrete, since “concrete” really means any mixture of an aggregate & a binder which solidifies after curing. This is why you may have heard engineers refer to “bituminised concrete,” meaning “a type of concrete made with bitumen as a binder.” However, most people use “concrete” to refer specifically to a mixture of aggregate with binding cement, & for the purpose of this article, we will use this difference to distinguish between asphalt paving & concrete paving.

When asphalt is made, a company mixes bitumen with rocks or other aggregate material which is ground to roughly the same size. The resulting composition material is black to brown in colour & very sticky because of the bitumen. Once the asphalt has been mixed, it can be rolled out on to roadways, carparks, driveways etc & compressed with the use of a compaction roller, or used to coat roofing shingles & other construction materials. Once the asphalt sets, it is a smooth, solid, water-resistant covering. Asphalt is classically used to make the majority of heavily trafficked surfaces; the material is also used to cover playgrounds, tennis courts, & pathways.

To make concrete, aggregate materials are mixed with a cement binder. Cements include minerals like limestone & gypsum which will harden into a solid when mixed with water & allowed to cure. Concrete can vary in texture, appearance, & use depending on the type of aggregate used; the most common choice of cement is Portland cement a binder which has been used for thousands of years. Concrete can be poured into moulds for a wide range of purposes, although asphalt is the preferred material for modern road surfaces.

An easy way to remember the different between asphalt & concrete is that asphalt is usually black to brown in colour, & has a distinctive texture, while concrete is greyish in colour & looks more like rock. If you are a fan of splitting hairs & the topic of asphalt & concrete comes up, feel free to inform people that asphalt actually is concrete.

Asphalt

     The surface that keeps us rolling! Nearly every road in the world is made of asphalt because it is the most reliable & economical heavy duty paving. Resistant to cracking because it is made of oil, which gives it more elasticity than concrete. Easier to keep clean because it is already black. Add a feature or distinctive border for a great effect. 
Asphalt paving can also be applied over concrete or re-applied over existing asphalt. This method is known as resurfacing, and is only as good as the base you are covering.
For example:  If you apply an asphalt surface layer over badly cracked concrete, within a year or so the resurface (the new asphalt placed on top) will crack also. Asphalt Curbing can also be used on Asphalt pavements.

Durability:        10-30 year life expectancy    Maintenance:   Sweep off the dust!

Q. How long will my pavement last?
The success of your pavement depends on three factors:

1. Thickness and type of pavement installed.
2. Thickness and type of sub-grade (crushed rock) provided. Based on the material type the contractor/engineer can determine the strength coefficient with sub-grade to support a given pavement. Lower ratios require thicker cross sections of pavement to support the pavement and provide appropriate longevity.
3. Frequency and type of traffic driving across a given pavement section will impact performance and longevity. Remember, one heavy duty loaded truck driving across that given section of pavement is the equivalent of 10,000 cars driving across the same section of pavement! These variables will impact longevity of pavement and are critical in building or maintaining your pavement in a satisfactory condition.

Q. What is the industry standard for warranty on pavement repairs?
The industry standard for warranty is one year after completion on materials and workmanship. More warranty is available on certain work items and, in some cases, with some service providers it may be less than one year.

Our Company Policy  All our paving comes with a 100% guarantee.

Covering the product. Covering the workmanship

We provide a solid back-up system along with prompt on-call service.