As a blacktop paving company in MD, we are often asked if asphalt and blacktop are the same. Although people use the terms interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. The materials that are used to make blacktop and asphalt are the same. Both are made from two ingredients: bitumen and crushed stone. The difference lies in how those ingredients are combined to make the final product.
How are Blacktop and Asphalt Different?
Asphalt is mixed in a drum to hold the temperature of 250 degrees minimum. At this temperature, the asphalt is malleable enough to pour onto roadways. Additionally, the high temperature ensures the asphalt will come out strong enough to handle cars driving over it.
Blacktop consists of a different ratio of bitumen and crushed stone. For blacktop, there is a higher percentage of natural crushed stone added to the mix. The crushed stone gives a blacktop road the sparkle on the surface. Blacktop is also heated at a higher temperature, usually 300 degrees or higher. As a result, a blacktop surface can last quite a long time.
Blacktop and asphalt surfaces are easily resealed after harsh seasons, giving them a newer look. Playgrounds, pathways, parking lots, driveways and residential roads that don’t see heavy traffic are many places where blacktop is a good choice. However, highways and major roads are typically made of asphalt.
Blacktop Paving Company in MD: A&M Asphalt Paving
If you need a blacktop paving company in MD, A&M Asphalt Paving can do the job. Fully insured, we offer over three decades of experience. When paving a new driveway, we ensure that a professional contractor will be able to complete the job efficiently and properly.
We provide a wide range of services including blacktop paving, new asphalt construction, asphalt re-surfacing, complete driveway rip-outs, asphalt patching, and seal coating services. Plus, we offer stone and grading services for stoned gravel driveways, tar and chip driveways, and grading and topsoil. Contact us today for a FREE estimate.