Otherwise, it will collapse - perhaps little by little, perhaps all at once. Strengthįlexibility isn't the only characteristic that allows a driveway to stand up under heavy loads. When deciding on asphalt, always use a professional asphalt company who can provide this guidance. It hardens as it dries, but it still retains an element of flexibility. This building material is made of a liquid binder, also known as asphalt cement, that's mixed with solid aggregates. They need to be able to bear up under heavy or uneven loads without buckling, and they also require the ability to respond to shifts in the underlying ground.Īsphalt is a good choice for driveways because it has natural flexibility. When the ground freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the driveway above it.įor both of these reasons, driveway materials must be flexible. Plus, in many areas of the country, asphalt is exposed to different temperatures throughout the year.
The foundation of a driveway may settle over time, causing the material above to shift as well. In fact, it's common for one side of the driveway to be holding a heavy car while the opposite side is empty. Sometimes they carry heavy loads, and other times they bear no loads at all. Flexibilityĭriveways go through a lot of changes in their lifetimes.
In the list below, you'll discover five of the properties of asphalt that make it the best material for your driveway. One of the top choices on Long Island is asphalt. These include oil and stone, poured concrete, brick pavers and gravel, among others.
When it's time to install a new driveway, there are a variety of materials from which you can choose.