That material you drive on every day is a lot more versatile than you think. While asphalt is most commonly known as a paving material for streets, highways, and parking lots, it can actually be used in many ways. Explore the more unique uses of asphalt today to see how Neyra Paving can help you take on a number of projects around your home or at a commercial facility.

Asphalt Mixture Options

Part of the reason asphalt is so flexible is that there is a surprising range of asphalt mixture options. Whether looking for a hard, durable surface or mixing liquid asphalt into a lacquer, here are some options available to you:

Cold mix
Warm mix
Hot-mix
Mastic
Cut back
Bitumen

The differences between these mixtures have to do with the additives, amount of stone or gravel mixed in, and the applied temperature. Asphalt heated to higher temperatures is typically thinner and easier to pour, but cooler asphalt is more convenient to apply and typically hardens more quickly.

Discuss mixture options with a local paving team to determine the best option for your chosen use. These asphalt mixtures can be used to pave projects or line parts, but you need to work with a professional team to choose the ideal mixture and have it effectively installed.

Asphalt Uses: Paving

Asphalt as a paving material is the most well-known category, but there are some surprising areas that can be paved with asphalt. From bike trails to backyard patios, consider working with a paving team to enjoy a durable structure for one of these uses.

Bike Trails

Paving a bike trail with asphalt is more economical than paving with concrete. It’s also safer and more comfortable than a gravel or dirt trail. Community trails are paved with this material around the country, but it can also be used in residential or small-scale commercial projects. Consider paving your own bike bath or adding a short trail to your commercial property to encourage a more active commute.

Playground Foundations

Perhaps one of the last materials you can think of around a playground is asphalt. A hard, unforgiving surface isn’t exactly the safety net you need under swings or a set of climbing equipment. Most modern playground surfaces use a rubber composite surface that can withstand outdoor weather and provide comfortable padding in the event of a fall.

This material, however, needs a foundation. That’s where asphalt really shines. Work with a commercial team to pour a foundation of this durable, cost-effective material before lining it with a rubber cushion. Consider leaving a small patch of asphalt uncovered for four square, hopscotch, or sidewalk chalk.

Backyard Patios

Patios are ideal places to sit and enjoy your backyard. These simple areas require less maintenance than decks and are much easier to make accessible to all your guests. Patios can be constructed out of concrete, asphalt, or paving stones.

A concrete patio is a durable surface, but it’s more costly and more challenging to maintain than asphalt. Paving stones create an iconic look but also an uneven surface that’s difficult to clean and can be a tripping hazard.

Asphalt offers a low-cost, smooth surface. It’s easy to clean and easy to maintain. Even after years of use, it can be patched, sealed, and resurfaced to maintain an elegant patio for you and your family.

Asphalt Uses: Agricultural

Many industries can benefit from professionally paved asphalt structures. One example is the agricultural industry. Farmers and large agricultural corporations can take advantage of these agricultural uses to maintain their property and improve the efficiency of their business:

Barn floor
Retention pond lining
Greenhouse floor
Livestock containment pens

This durable material is more affordable than concrete in many situations and is easier to patch and repair. Invest in a long-term solution for your barn, pond, and containment pens with a locally experienced paving team. Update your existing facilities or start out right with a professionally-installed structure.

Asphalt Uses: Water and Soil Management

Some asphalt materials are impermeable and inert. These two features mean that it won’t leach harmful chemicals into the water, and it won’t allow water to seep through it. Two uses of asphalt you may not have thought of before are water and soil management.

Water Runoff Protection

Create a barrier or lining for a pond to keep water where you want it. Water runoff protection can help you funnel excess rainwater toward a drainage pool and away from your fields or parking lot. This feature helps you prevent flooding in your commercial location or around your home.

Hold water where you need it with a pond lining or retention wall. This is a popular strategy for creating reservoirs and fish ponds. It’s a great balance between affordable and reliably safe for use around livestock or wild animals.

Soil Barrier

Protecting soil can also be a two-sided feature of asphalt. On the one hand, it can be used to create a retaining wall that keeps soil where it needs to be. If you have an area where you’re concerned about erosion, ask a local paving team about creating an asphalt retaining structure to hold back the sand, soil, and sod.

On the other hand, a soil barrier can protect soil from harmful chemicals and other contaminants. Landfills often use asphalt as a foundation layer. This safely holds chemicals and garbage in one place and prevents them from leaking into the surrounding soil.

Asphalt Uses: Automobiles

The automobile industry is naturally tied closely with asphalt due to roads, but did you know that cars also include asphalt in their construction? Paint and sound-muffling linings are two common automobile uses that have been used in the past and to this day, in some cases.

Paint

The original Model T was mass-produced with black as its only color choice. This straightforward color option was actually a lacquer made with high levels of bitumen, which is liquid asphalt. It was a durable and cost-effective option that was part of the secret to the Model T’s low cost.

Some commercial paints still include bitumen. Farm fences made of wood are commonly coated with black fence paint. This paint uses asphalt to create a waterproof, durable coat. It’s so convenient that it’s also commonly used to coat metal pipes, masonry walls, storage tanks, and other exterior items.

Body Panel Lining

Cars continue to become quieter and more comfortable on the road. One secret in keeping cars quiet on the inside is an asphalt lining. Body panels are lined with an asphalt mixture to dampen the sound caused by vibrations as you drive.

Learn More About Asphalt Paving with Neyra Paving

Now that you have an expanded idea of how to use asphalt around your home or commercial location, it’s time to see how you can enjoy low prices on reliable asphalt paving. Request an estimate today from Neyra Paving to see how you can receive reliable paving in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. Call (513) 986-1011 for more information.

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