Get your wheels turning about this repurposed material
Crushed asphalt bonds better than loose gravel and forms a semi-permanent driveway surface that holds up well in wet and snowy climates.
Recycled asphalt requires resealing every two to three years and replacing some crushed material to prevent uneven hardening and maintain your driveway.
Your recycled asphalt driveway lasts up to 20 years with proper maintenance, though it can harden unevenly and form potholes over time.
Hiring a local asphalt driveway company ensures quality installation and helps you choose reputable recycled materials for a durable, long-lasting driveway.
Recycled asphalt is exactly as it sounds: repurposed asphalt formed to make a new driveway. It costs less than standard asphalt and is more environmentally friendly. But it doesn't have the same durability and maintenance as standard asphalt. Learn all about recycled asphalt driveways, their pros, cons, and costs to determine if it's the right material for your driveway.
Recycled asphalt comes with its own appearance, cost, and level of maintenance. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of recycled asphalt before choosing it for your driveway.
Less expensive than standard asphalt and concrete
Lasts nearly as long as standard asphalt with proper maintenance, usually up to 20 years
Environmentally-friendly, as it lowers greenhouse emissions by lessening the production of new asphalt
Bonds together better than loose materials such as gravel, forming a semi-permanent driveway
Holds up well in wet and snowy climates, limiting pooling and flooding
Beautiful, unique driveway that looks like a mix between gravel and asphalt
As durable as standard asphalt and holds up to heavy vehicles
Less likely to experience cracking and rutting
Can harden unevenly over time, causing deterioration and bumpiness
Not as deep of a black color as standard asphalt
Quality can depend on how it was recycled and what was recycled
Requires replacing some of the crushed asphalt every few years and raking loose pieces into place
Requires resealing every two to three years
Can form potholes or divots after extended use
More difficult snow removal
Can contain foreign objects due to recycled nature
Recycled asphalt driveways cost $6.20 to $8.75 per square foot, including installation. For comparison, standard asphalt costs $7 to $13 per square foot, including installation. Because of the rising price of oil, standard asphalt costs considerably more. Gravel, for comparison, costs $1.25 to $1.80 per square foot, including installation.
If you need to remove an existing asphalt driveway, your contractor may be able to use some of the reclaimed materials. You may pay less for materials to put toward the extra labor costs involved with removing a driveway.
Before you roll out the black carpet, make sure you've done your due diligence.
Check with your local asphalt paving contractor to ensure the asphalt they use is from a reputable recycling facility.
Ask to see examples of recycled asphalt driveways the contractor installed.
Compare the look of recycled asphalt to standard asphalt and gravel to determine the look you prefer.
Consider that standard asphalt lifespan is 15 to 30 years, whereas the lifespan of recycled asphalt is up to 20 years.
Keep in mind that it’s difficult to pave over recycled asphalt if that’s a project you want to do in the future. The cracks and unevenness show through the new surface, so full removal of the recycled asphalt is necessary.
Snow removal can be more time-consuming, as you need to be careful not to damage the asphalt's surface.
Always check your city’s local ordinances about driveway guidelines, including width and thickness.
Installing a driveway is a labor-intensive process. It requires special, heavy equipment at nearly every step of the process, from leveling the area to laying fresh asphalt. If you attempt to install recycled asphalt yourself, you could end up with a weak driveway or damage your home’s foundation. Hire a local driveway paving pro to ensure you end up with a driveway that is durable, long-lasting, and built to code.
Before you hire a driveway paving pro, you should ask these questions to understand their work history, licensure, and how they will approach the project.
Are you licensed and insured?
Can you show me examples of your past work?
How long have you been in business?
How much will my project cost, and what are the payment terms?
Are there any permits to worry about?
What materials do you use?
Do you offer a warranty on the materials?
Can you share some references?
Be sure to get quotes from at least three contractors before selecting one to handle your asphalt 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 LLCFirst of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesEd did a great job in installing stone to the outside of our house at a fair price
Ochoa StoneworksWorking 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 PavingWe hired Jim to replace our hardwood floors with new hardwood. He and his helper Jerry did a fantastic job. Their work ethic is impeccable!! We would highly recommend McColl Floors!
The 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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