Get matched with top driveway sealcoating pros in Bayside, CA

Instead of a set number of types, asphalt comes in variations designed for different needs. Some are categorized by temperature—hot mix, warm mix, and cold mix. Others are sorted by composition, like dense-graded, gap-graded (such as Stone Matrix Asphalt), porous, and mastic asphalt. There are also modified versions with added compounds like polymers, rubber, or emulsions. Instead of focusing on a number, it may be more useful to understand how contractors customize asphalt for durability, climate, and traffic conditions.

Yes, most repair services include sealing to protect the surface. Confirm with your contractor.

A good rule for all homeowners is to seal every driveway to protect it. Wait at least three months to seal an asphalt driveway and one month to seal a concrete driveway. You know it’s time to reseal your driveway when it shows obvious signs of wear and tear. It may appear as fading or discolored asphalt, small cracks, and oil stains. If you notice that one area of your driveway seems to dry slower than others, it’s time to reseal.

Though they may look similar, tar and bitumen come from different sources. Bitumen is a petroleum product—extracted during crude oil refining—and is mostly made up of hydrocarbons. Tar comes from burning down organic materials like coal or wood. Bitumen is strictly oil-based, while tar is a mix of compounds from natural sources. Both are used as binders in paving; however, bitumen is the standard for today’s asphalt. Tar use has mostly faded out of road construction.