Recycled asphalt pavement, or RAP, is a popular choice in road construction due to environmental and financial reasons. Businesses and homeowners also have the option to utilize it, but with a few caveats.

The most used material in America and possibly the entire world is asphalt. Since the majority of asphalt roads in the U.S. and all 2.3 million miles are constructed with bitumen asphalt, it might not come as a shock. However, reclaimed asphalt has its advantages and disadvantages.

The benefits are obvious; it's more affordable. It's green and visually appealing, and if desired, it is permeable. Some say that it's not without its drawbacks. There is a variety of quality, and some could be higher "squish" when heavy vehicles are driven over it. Also, it's not as darkly hued as asphalt made of all-natural substances.

What is the best part? Do the good aspects outweigh the negatives? What are the chances homeowners have if they choose to use recycled asphalt? Is the average local asphalt contractor knowledgeable of both the benefits and drawbacks of assisting the average consumer in need of assistance from a local commercial or residential asphalt contractor to improve their parking area or driveway?

Begin by examining the pros. A driveway is able to handle different traffic from, say, an industrial loading dock or an expressway. The roads and parking spaces with large, massive vehicles that pass through them are susceptible to deformation and consequently require asphalt that is properly solid and able to withstand the traffic. However, researchers have already come up with strategies to make stronger RAP by making blends of virgin and recycled substances, including elements like fly ash and cement, and using geocell stabilizers (honeycomb-like grids of walls of a shorter length that stop the spreading).

For driveways that are typical for residential properties, this kind of deformation isn't an issue, as even the biggest SUVs are far from the size of semi-tractor trailers.

The aesthetics of recycled asphalt won't appear like the dark look typical of a traditional asphalt driveway. However, this is also dependent on the recycled-to-virgin materials mixed into the mix. Some people consider this to be a superior characteristic, a bit different from the dark hue that is commonplace in the market. It is a grayish shade which may blend better with other components of the home as well as the garage and landscaping.

Take a moment to think about the benefits. While every driveway is different, as are paving companies, this is a case where using recycled materials for good (environmental/social benefit) reasons is also less expensive. One of the most essential components in asphalt is the binder bits that are mostly sourced from an oil byproduct. The price of petroleum goes through fluctuating rates, but it's insignificant when you're using an old road with potholes or a driveway. Even though it is only 5% to 7% of the asphalt pavement, the virgin bitumen is approximately 70% of the total material's cost.

The environmental benefits are excellent considering that the primary elements of pavement, aggregates, bitumen, and sand, are derived from the ground-up asphalt locally, not being extracted and transported from distant. This is the main reason why both state and federal local governments have embraced RAP.

Find out why around 90 million tons of asphalt is recycled across the U.S. every year to build highways and roads. This is also the reason why people are opting to use it on their driveways, too.