If you wisht to find the best material for parking lots and driveways, we recommend you to take advantage of asphalt paving, which is the best course of action.
It does not matter whether you are a household owner who wants to get a new driveway or business owner with an idea to create parking lot for employees and customers, because asphalt is cost-effective, durable and visually appealing option. However, is there a difference between asphalt and blacktop paving Anaheim, which is vital to remember.=
Although asphalt and blacktop are used interchangeably, you should remember that they are not the same. Of course, they use almost the same ingredients for the process, which creates confusion between the two.
In simple words, blacktop is a type of asphalt. The biggest difference between these two stems from the same ingredients by they require different mixture and preparation process, which leads to different result.
These two processes are dictated by the difference in usage. Generally, asphalt is mainly used for streets and highways, while blacktop is a subset of asphalt, meaning you can use it in areas with less traffic including parking lots, driveways and playgrounds.
Similarities Between Asphalt and Blacktop
As mentioned above, both asphalt and blacktop use the same ingredients. It means they feature bitumen and crushed stone inside to ensure the best course of action. Bitumen is a black viscous tar-like substance found in roofing materials, specifically created to hold crushed stones in place.
The combination of bitumen and crushed stones is combined in a drum. Before pouring it, both asphalt and blacktop requires pre-mixing. Apart from the durability and reliability through different repaving jobs, another essential factor between these two is that they can be used and driven on much faster than concrete.
Differences Between Asphalt and Blacktop
Although they are similar in various aspects, you should remember that these two are different substances in the final result. The crucial aspect that sets them apart is the way they are mixed. It means you will get slightly different weaknesses and strengths, meaning each option is suitable for certain requirements and jobs.
Compared with blacktop, which only has a single type and is more malleable, asphalt can come with different grades, meaning you will get tougher material that can withstand heavy traffic. By entering here, you will learn more about asphalt pavement.
Composition and Mixing Method
You should know that both asphalt and blacktop feature bitumen and crushed stone, while the crucial difference between the two lies in mixture ratios and temperature settings used to create each option. Generally, blacktop features more stone than asphalt, making the ratio of bitumen to stone much higher than other options.
That is why a blacktop driveway or road has a different appearance. Due to high ratio of stone in the mixture, blacktop is heated at around three-hundred degrees, which is responsible for malleable longevity and nature.
On the other hand, asphalt is produced by taking advantage of refining fossil fuel, meaning it requires adding crushing stones that will act as cutting agents to ensure further and exceptional thickness. Asphalt is mixed at a reduced temperature, which is 250 degrees, as any temperature higher leads to lousy outcome.
Although asphalt is durable, it does not have flexibility of blacktop, meaning it can crack faster and easier than other options.
Suitability and Usage
Another crucial factor to remember between asphalt and blacktop is their suitability for specific jobs and assignments. As blacktop is long-lasting and flexible, it is used for everyday surfacing jobs that do not require a high-end capacity. At the same time, infrequent and straightforward repairs are favored.
Blacktop features specific aesthetic appearance, which is why people use it for areas where they wish to combine function and form. Generally, blacktop is used for driveways, parking lots, paved pathways, basketball courts and playgrounds. Visit this guide: https://www.osha.gov/asphalt-fumes to learn more about asphalt fumes.
Asphalt is more durable due to mixture and construction, especially since it can withstand harsh elements and has reliable waterproofing abilities that blacktop lacks. That is why asphalt is commonly used in non-paving jobs, meaning it is versatile and effective.
At the same time, it can withstand more considerable weight load, meaning you will get thicker surface than blacktop. Asphalt is commonly used for airport runways, major roads, highways and freeways, pool linings, soundproofing, cable coatings, damp-proofing, reservoir linings and many more.
Types and Grades
The essential factor that creates significant difference between asphalt and blacktop is the chance to get different grades and types of each option. Of course, we can differentiate a single type of blacktop no matter the bitumen and stone ratios. On the other hand, asphalt features different grades that come with specific use and purpose.
Quiet asphalt is effective at reducing noise pollution, meaning you can find it on main roads next to homes and residential communities. Porous asphalt allows water to seep and enter the soil, meaning you will get water management properties.
