Asphalt milling could be the low-cost, eco-friendly option you’re looking for
Asphalt millings use recycled asphalt mixed with binding materials, offering your driveway an eco-friendly and budget-conscious paving option that costs less than traditional asphalt.
Expect to pay $2 to $5 per square foot for asphalt millings, while traditional asphalt costs $7 to $13 and concrete runs $8 to $18 per square foot.
Your asphalt milling driveway needs sealcoating six months after installation, then every three to five years, to maintain durability and prevent cracks from developing over time.
Hiring a local asphalt company provides expert installation and proper compaction, helping you avoid issues with uneven surfaces and ensuring your driveway lasts decades.
If you want the durability of asphalt at a cheaper cost with the added bonus of sustainability, consider asphalt millings for your driveway project. This material is made from excess asphalt that has been planed off during maintenance work—the millings are fully recycled and get a boost from binding materials for extra durability. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of asphalt milling and decide if it’s the best option for your driveway.
Asphalt milling is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional asphalt paving. Milling is the process of removing and collecting the top layer of existing asphalt, using a cold planer or milling machine. This levels the pavement’s surface, and removes deformities before a new layer of asphalt is added. The collected asphalt is then crushed into smaller pieces and mixed with a binder for extra durability—the mixture can then be used in place of new asphalt. This recycling process minimizes waste and promotes sustainability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Environmentally-friendly | Variable quality, depending on source material |
| Lower cost | Could contain contaminants |
| Durable | Rougher surface |
| Quick installation | Limited availability |
Let’s look closer at all the benefits of using asphalt milling for your driveway.
Using asphalt millings for your driveway is a wallet-friendly option—this recycled material is less expensive than traditional asphalt ($7 to $13 per square foot) or concrete ($8 to $18 per square foot), ranging between $2 and $5 per square foot.
Most homeowners choose asphalt milling because they want a recycled, environmentally friendly option for their driveway. Because asphalt millings pull from excess materials from existing asphalt, they are an excellent choice if you are looking for a sustainable option for your driveway.
When asphalt millings get mixed with crushed aggregate and binding additives, they become extremely durable and able to withstand high amounts of traffic and pressure. Make sure to have your asphalt millings installed by a reputable local asphalt company to ensure it is done properly—proper installation will reduce cracks and rutting, prolonging the lifespan of your driveway.
Asphalt milling can be installed much faster than traditional asphalt, taking only one or two days to completely set and harden. Given its composure, made from smaller aggregates, it can be quickly compacted with a roller. Traditional asphalt takes at least three days to set.
Nothing is perfect. While asphalt millings are cost-effective and environmentally friendly, they do have some drawbacks.
The quality of asphalt milling can depend on the source. Because it is sourced from different places, it's possible that rocks, vegetation, or even discarded contaminants can work their way into the recycled material. In addition, inadequate compaction can lead to some of the smaller aggregates washing away in extreme weather and heavy traffic. To prevent these issues, look for reputable sellers for your millings and hire an experienced asphalt company near you to perform the installation.
Asphalt milling production does involve a screening process to reduce the number of contaminants—removing oil, lead, and other hazardous materials—but these materials could still find their way into the millings. Perform a test of your materials to check for anything harmful before installing asphalt millings on your driveway.
Asphalt millings contain fragments of old pavement and a mix of aggregates, which have variations in size—this can give your asphalt milling driveway a rougher surface than if you used traditional asphalt. This could become problematic if your driveway experiences a lot of foot traffic.
Since asphalt millings are produced using old asphalt, it’s not constantly being manufactured in the same way as other materials. You might find it difficult to secure the amount you need for your driveway project, depending on where you live—urban areas, with more roads, will have more material available compared to rural locations.
Most people choosing asphalt millings are looking for sustainable, eco-friendly driveway options. Other environmentally sound driveway materials include:
Grass Driveway Pavers: Installing pavers with gaps so that grass can grow through is an excellent way to promote driveway drainage and give your landscaping an added boost of greenery.
Gravel: Gravel is another inexpensive option, though it needs to be topped off regularly as it can become uneven over time.
Recycled Rubber: Recycled rubber is inexpensive and required little maintenance, but it can become tacky in hotter climates—it’s a better driveway material for cold weather.
If budget and sustainability are your priorities, then asphalt milling could be right for you. Keep in mind that you’ll need to sealcoat your asphalt milling driveway six months after installation, then every 3 to 5 years; this will prolong your driveway’s lifespan. If you can handle this maintenance, and don’t mind doing the contaminant testing, asphalt millings could be an excellent, eco-friendly choice for your home’s driveway.
Archie did a good job cleaning up the driveway before he laid down the sealer. It looks good. He was gracious and even helped me bring up my groceries. His rate was comparable to another company who came out to give me a quote and he talked to me personally rather than just text me a quote...
Pro Seal Roofing & PavingD1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCThis company went above and beyond with their work, chimney sweeps are usually pretty messy, but the clean up was spot on.!! Josh explained every thing that he was doing, and the things that he was checking to make sure the chimney was safe for me and my family. He was very professional,...
Supreme brick & chimneyOur homes curb appeal skyrocketed thanks to Custom Paint Jobs LLC s exterior painting.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCVery well! Two men came to do the work. They were both polite, punctual and professional in manner. When they finished, Cameron explained about preserving an asphalt driveway, as I had never had one in the past. I will definitely be calling them in the future.
All Star Paving and SealingFantastic! Top Line was early for the appointment and very knowledgeable and took time to explain everything they had found during the home inspection. The report included clearly defined issues and what they recommended to remedy the same. The report also included many pictures to help...
Top Line Home Inspections, LLCWorking with Peter and his crew was a breeze. They were exceptionally polite and did a neat job to repair and seal our driveway. I will definitely talk to them first for additional work.
Central PavingThe preformed a really good job the staff is incredible never been so happy with my home, A brand new driveway is like a face lift!!
Pristine PavingCalled Mark on a Thursday morning. Not really knowing if he could help me or not. I was having driveway, flooding issues due to a clogged channel drain and I was trying to figure out what direction to take. Heavy rains had come on Monday and again on Thursday leading to flooding in my garage...
Mark Rodgers ConstructionHad already met with 2 other contractors before Blue Ring, and Blue Ring's price quote for the work was better than either of the other 2, and the came out the next morning and cleaned up a very large fallen tree branch from a storm that was blocking my driveway. Work was completed in...
Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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