Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, asphalt pavement is considered highly sustainable due to its industry-leading recyclability and long service life. Nearly 100% of reclaimed asphalt is recycled, meaning old roads are continuously milled and repurposed into new pavements without losing structural integrity. 

    Asphalt’s sustainability is driven by several key factors:100% Recyclability: Asphalt is the most recycled material in North America. Old asphalt removed from roads (RAP) is recycled into new pavement layers, significantly reducing the need for virgin aggregates and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

  • Asphalt paving is a durable, cost-effective surfacing option for driveways and parking lots. With proper maintenance, a new asphalt surface typically lasts 15 to 25 years. The installation and curing process requires precise timing, specific foundational prep, and careful post-paving care to maximize your investment.

    Properly maintained asphalt roads can last decades. Smooth asphalt surfaces also reduce rolling resistance for vehicles, which helps improve fuel efficiency.

  • An asphalt milling machine, also known as a cold planer, is a heavy piece of construction equipment used to remove and grind away the top layer of existing pavement. It features a large rotating drum equipped with replaceable carbide-tipped teeth that pulverize the asphalt into a granular material.

  • Use an asphalt milling machine when you need to remove the worn or damaged top layer of pavement while keeping the stable underlying sub-base intact. It is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to full reconstruction.

    1.       Damage: The pavement has surface cracking, potholes, raveling, or rutting, but the structural base remains strong.

    2.       Elevation & Transitions: You need to maintain the existing height of the road or ensure a seamless transition when meeting other surfaces (like driveways or manhole covers).

    3.       Drainage Corrections: The slope of the road is causing water to pool. Milling allows you to precisely re-grade the surface.

    4.       Sustainable Resurfacing: You want to recycle the removed material. The ground-up asphalt (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement or RAP) can be reused in new asphalt mixtures or as a gravel base.

    When to Avoid Milling?

    1.       Failed Sub-base: If the underlying foundation is unstable, you will likely need Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) instead to fix the structural issues.

    2.       Extensive "Alligator" Cracking: If the cracking runs deep into the foundation (resembling alligator skin), the damage goes beyond the top layer of asphalt.

  • You should sealcoat your asphalt every 3 to 5 years. Sealcoating provides a protective layer that blocks harmful UV rays, water, and vehicle fluid leaks.

  • Small cracks (less than a quarter-inch wide) can be filled with asphalt crack filler. For larger fatigue "alligator" cracks or potholes, the damaged section should be cut out, the base repaired, and patched with fresh asphalt.

  • You should wait a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) before walking or parking on new asphalt.

  • Yes, especially during hot summer months. New asphalt goes through a curing process for up to a year. Avoid sharp, stationary turns (power steering turns) to prevent scuffing the surface.

  • Residential driveways generally require 50 to 75mm of compacted hot asphalt. Commercial lots or driveways expecting heavy-duty traffic require a thicker application (75mm or more) built on a robust crushed stone sub-base.

  • No. The ideal temperature for laying asphalt is 21° C, and the ground must be completely dry and unfrozen. Most contractors operate during the spring, summer, and early fall.

  • Yes, but use them sparingly. Avoid heavy salt usage on fresh asphalt in its first winter, as harsh chemicals can damage the curing surface.

  • Yes. A paved, well-maintained driveway dramatically boosts curb appeal and often yields a strong return on investment compared to gravel or cracked concrete.

  • The contractor will remove existing asphalt, haul it away, and compact or add to the stone sub-base. Proper drainage is mapped out to slope water away from the foundation of your home.

  • Concrete and asphalt are fundamentally different paving materials. Concrete is a rigid mix of cement, water, and aggregates, highly durable but susceptible to salt and freeze-thaw cracking. Asphalt is a flexible, petroleum-based mix, which is cheaper to install but requires more frequent sealing.

    1.       Cost & Installation

    Asphalt: Typically ranges between $3 and $5 per square foot to install. It cures in 24 to 48 hours.

    Concrete: Usually costs between $6 and $10 per square foot. It requires a curing time of at least 7 days before driving on it.

    2.       Climate Suitability

    Asphalt: Performs better in colder climates because its flexibility allows it to handle frost heaves and freeze-thaw cycles without significant cracking. In high heat, it can become tacky and soft.

    Concrete: Handles extreme heat effortlessly but is vulnerable to damage from road salts and freezing temperatures if not properly air entrained.

    3.       Durability & Maintenance

    Asphalt: Needs routine maintenance; you should apply a sealcoat every 2 to 3 years and resurface every 3 to 5 years. Its overall lifespan is generally 15 to 30 years.

    Concrete: Requires little routine maintenance, though repairs can be expensive and difficult to patch. It boasts a long lifespan of 30 to 50 years.

    4.       Appearance & Heat Absorption

    Asphalt: Primarily limited to black. Because it is dark, it absorbs heat but melts snow and ice faster in the winter.

    Concrete: Can be stamped, stained, and customized to match the aesthetics of your property. It stays cooler to the touch during the summer

  • MMA (not to be confused with mixed martial arts) stands for Methyl Methacrylate. In line painting, it is a highly durable, two-part chemical-curing cold plastic paint used primarily for pavement markings, roads, intersections, and high-wear areas like bike lanes and crosswalks.

    Why is MMA used?

    Extreme Durability: MMA forms a strong, permanent chemical bond with asphalt and concrete surfaces. It lasts up to 5 to 10 times longer than traditional thermoplastic or standard traffic paints.

    Fast Curing: It hardens very quickly (usually within 10 to 30 minutes of application), which drastically reduces the need for lengthy road closures or traffic disruptions.

    Weather and Traffic Resistant: It stands up to severe weather, heavy snowplows, studded tires, and constant stopping/starting of vehicles without chipping or fading.

    Versatile Application: Because it cures chemically rather than requiring heat, it can be applied in a wider range of temperatures than traditional hot-applied thermoplastics.

    How it works.  Unlike standard paint that dries by evaporation, MMA requires two components to work: the base resin (pigment) and a catalyst (hardener). When these are mixed at a specific ratio, a chemical reaction occurs that turns the liquid paint into a solid, heavy-duty plastic coating. Glass beads are often applied on top immediately after laying it down to give the lines high retro-reflectivity for nighttime visibility

    Thermoplastic and MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) are both highly durable pavement marking solutions, but they differ fundamentally in application and performance. Thermoplastic is a heat-melt material that is cost-effective and best for large, continuous projects.

    MMA is a chemical-cure resin that excels in longevity, adhesion, and extreme conditions.

    Key Differences at a Glance:

    1.       Application and Curing Process

    Thermoplastic: Requires heating powders to 400°F–450°F to liquify them before application. It cures rapidly by cooling to ambient temperature within 5 to 10 minutes.

    MMA: Applied cold using a two-part chemical resin and catalyst mix. It cures via chemical polymerization in 20 to 45 minutes, regardless of the pavement temperature.

    2.       Bonding and Durability

    Thermoplastic: Sits mostly on the surface and can soften in the summer sun, making it vulnerable to tire tracking and snowplow damage. It typically lasts 3 to 5 years.

    MMA: Forms a strong chemical bond with the substrate and penetrates deep. It is highly resistant to freeze-thaw cycles, chemicals, and UV rays, lasting up to 5 to 10 years.

    3.       Surface Compatibility

    Thermoplastic: Requires the road or parking surface to be completely dry, and concrete surfaces require a special primer for adequate adhesion.

    MMA: Can be applied directly to both asphalt and concrete with minimal preparation and bonds well even to concrete.

    4.       Color and Visibility

    Thermoplastic: Color varieties and custom shades are limited, and the material can blemish quickly.

    MMA: Offers a broad range of custom, vibrant colors (e.g., green for bike lanes, blue for accessibility) that remain UV-stable and highly reflective.

    When to Choose Which

    Choose Thermoplastic for standard road striping, highways, and parking lots where budget is tight, traffic volumes are moderate, and high-heat equipment is readily available.

    Choose MMA for high-traffic or high-stress areas (like roundabouts, intersections, and crosswalks), specialized markings (bike/bus lanes), cold-weather projects, or on concrete surfaces where extreme durability and adhesion are critical.