Concrete is, without a doubt, the first material that comes to mind when it comes to building or resurfacing a driveway. And why not? It’s long-lasting, low-maintenance, and adds to the curb appeal of your home. However, asphalt is a superior alternative, especially if you have a restricted budget. It’s easier to install, 100% recyclable, convenient to repair, and lasts indefinitely.
While an asphalt driveway is more cost-effective than a concrete one in general, there are several factors to consider before beginning such an endeavour. That’s what we’re going over now.
What is Asphalt?
Bitumen is a unique combination of aggregates that include fillers and binders, resulting in a finished product known as asphalt. Asphalt is utilized for the construction of streets, parking lots, basketball courts, driveways, and other infrastructure applications.
Slags, gravel, sand, or crushed rock are some of the aggregates found in asphalt mixtures. Bitumen is used as a binder in the formation of cohesive mixes. Some people refer to asphalt as blacktop or hot-top. There are various sorts of asphalt applications, and they may be classified according to the method used to bind the bitumen with the aggregate.
Asphalt Types
There are many different types of asphalt that vary in their characteristics and properties. They differ in the type and quantity of aggregate and bitumen used, as well as filler materials such as limestone or clay. Asphalt itself is not very durable, but when mixed with aggregate and binder it becomes a low-maintenance, long-lasting surface for driveways, parking lots, roads and more.
Warm Mix Asphalt Concrete. Because of the use of waxes, zeolites, and emulsions in the production process, warm mix concrete does not require high temperatures during manufacturing. Although this is a more eco-friendly method that uses less fossil fuel throughout the mixing process, it isn’t as long-lasting as a hot asphalt concrete mixture. This asphalt is frequently employed for filling holes or areas with little foot traffic
Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete. Hot mix asphalt concrete is formed under high heat, and it’s the most durable type of asphalt available. Hot mix asphalt concrete may be found on busy roadways, such as airports runways and motorways, among other things. It’s incredibly long-lasting, and may even last for longer than 15 years.
Mastic Asphalt. Mastic asphalt contains less bitumen than hot mix asphalt concrete. Mastic is commonly used in sidewalks, play courts, roads, roofs, and driveways. Asphalt may be maintained to give optimum durability and protection, regardless of the type. Binder’s Mix. Like mastic asphalt, binder mix doesn’t contain much bitumen. However, it features other binders such as sodium chloride or magnesium sulphate to enhance cohesiveness. Asphalt pavements that include these materials don’t crack or pop up over time as others do.
Bitumen Driveway Cost
Existing asphalt contractors have a price range of between $30 and $40 per square meter, you can expect that your asphalt driveway cost might be anything from $30 to $40 per square meter. The cost of an asphalt driveway is determined by a variety of factors, including the type and grade of material used in its construction, local labour rates, installation methods.
- Internal driveway for one car $1,035 to $1,380
- Internal driveway for two cars $1,380 to $1.840
This is only a rough estimate of the cost per square metre of an asphalt driveway, and you could get quotes from a professional who does asphalt laying work. The average asphalt driveway cost of a square metre of the asphalt driveway in Australia is $30-$40, and the typical dimensions of various driveways in Australian residential zones are taken into account when calculating this rough asphalt driveway cost calculator.
Bitumen Driveway Cost per Square Metre
That’s why it has a lot of variables that may differ in your situation. Let’s take a look at how it works in greater detail. According to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, you may receive permission before adding a new driveway. The safety of nearby roads is an important consideration while designing your new asphalt driveway design. When you compare the initial cost of asphalt paving to the total costs, it includes asphalting your parking lot and the crossover area.
It’s crucial to keep these things in mind while planning your driveway. The parking area within the property between the boundary and the structure could be at least 5.5 meters long. When you include in the 6m of crossover length, you get 11.5m for your asphalt driveway. The width of your asphalt driveway is determined by the size of your garage and if you’re paving a drive for residential or commercial purposes.
- The minimum driveway width for a single-car garage is 4m at the kerb line and 3m at the curb.
- A household double-car garage could be 5.5m at the curb line and 4m at the fence.
- These measurements, for commercial usage, are 6-6.5m wide and 30-35cm thick.
Asphalt Driveways Cost per Square Metre
Although the cost of paving a driveway varies by location and project, asphalt laying services on average range between $30 and $60 per square meter. However, costs differ from one project to the next, which may influence the final price of the asphalt driveway service. Depending on several variables such as asphalt material type, the quantity of asphalt required to mention a few, prices generally range from around $25 to $45 per square metre.
It is critical to asphalt paving your driveway. When it comes to upgrading or developing their residences, many individuals overlook one of the most visible locations, the driveway. Your driveway, too, is part of the approach to your property and could be given attention in order to improve the appeal and raise the value of your home. A properly built driveway may endure more than 20 years if installed and paved correctly. Asphalt as a construction material has several advantages, including aesthetic and longevity, while concrete and paving have both practical and aesthetic applications.
Asphalt is a popular choice for building roads, basketball courts, parking lots, and, yes, your driveway. It’s long-lasting, low-maintenance, and inexpensive to maintain. Asphalt is available in a variety of applications and is classified depending on the mixing process. These are warm mixed asphalt, mastic asphalt, and hot mix asphalt, all of which have varying prices.
Asphalt Cost per m2
Many elements impact the overall driveway price, but in the end, it is always about getting a high-quality asphalt driveway. Finding a balance between value and price is critical to getting the most for your money. Various elements that you might want to think about as important pieces of your project planning include:
The quantity of asphalt required. Speak to a contractor for a written quotation after you decide on the width, length, and depth of your driveway.
The transportation cost is one of the longer-term expenses. How far is the asphalt manufacturing plant from your home? Transportation costs may be higher if your location is farther away from the facility. Additionally, the price of transporting a concrete job further affects pricing as the distance increases.
The asphalt composition is important. The type of asphalt you choose may affect the cost. The finest solution is to find out during the estimate procedure which asphalt mix would work best in your particular area and driveway. Costs can also be affected by external factors such as the price of oil, construction activity, environmental rules, as well as local and worldwide economies.
Maintenance fees. Over time, asphalt driveways may need to be maintained to prevent oil and water stains, UV rays, and wear caused by vehicle weight.
Excavation. If a new driveway may be built over an existing one, you may have to pay for removal and disposal services.
There are many more factors to consider and additional places to look before you can be completely satisfied as a homeowner. Additional areas such as carports and pathways may cost you extra. If you want to include a carport into your driveway, it’s more cost-effective to pave it at the same time.
Bitumen Cost per m2
Shingles, asphalt shingles, and asphalt driveway paving are the three most popular forms of asphalt driveways. On average, you may anticipate paying between $25 and $40 per square metre for a new asphalt driveway. A hot mix driveway may cost more than a warm mix, as well as the aggregates used in each process.
Mastic asphalt driveways are suitable for most Australians. For this sort of asphalt driveway, $30 per square metre is about right. Mastic asphalt is used by professionals and has a great degree of resistance to petrol, oil, and de-icing salts.
For all home and business owners, the cost of having your driveway paved is only part of the story, the other part is what may make your driveways last longer, increase value to your property, and keep your driveways looking nice for years to come.
Asphalt Surface Cost per Square Metre
An asphalt driveway is an investment in the future of your home. Asphalt is one of the most popular materials used today to surface driveways and parking lots, due to its durability and relatively low maintenance cost.
The longevity of your asphalt driveway is around 20 years. However, it may require some upkeep. The heat from Australian summers can cause asphalt to deteriorate quickly. You could also inspect the area for any petrol stains, which might damage asphalt if left on it for too long. Oil and petrol stains are not readily apparent on asphalt, but they can still harm it.
That’s why you’ll need to make some repairs on occasion. Concrete driveways are likewise susceptible to cracks, but asphalt is even more vulnerable. Since it’s softer than concrete, any damage may require you to repair it right away. Concrete driveway cracks in the substrate of your driveway can also lead to potholes forming over time.
Asphalt Driveway Cost per Square Metre
The price of asphalt for your driveway may vary depending on the contractor, the brand and quality of materials used, location (it can be cheaper in some areas), size of your project, and other factors. Asphalt suppliers typically sell it by tonne (or cubic metre). A driveway could require about 10 sq m to 15 sq m of material, allowing for waste when excavating and smoothing out the final surface.
Pouring hot bitumen onto granular material isn’t just a good idea because it helps keep the cost down, it’s also easier to mix properly with less time wasted preparing the surface. An asphalt driveway is an investment in the future of your home. Asphalt is one of the most popular materials used today to surface driveways and parking lots, due to its durability and relatively low maintenance cost.
Asphalt Resurfacing Longevity
The longevity of your asphalt driveway is around 20 years. However, it may require some upkeep. The heat from Australian summers can cause asphalt to deteriorate quickly. You could also inspect the area for any petrol stains, which might damage asphalt if left on it for too long. Oil and petrol stains are not readily apparent on asphalt, but they can still harm it. An existing driveway can be a great place to start. Asphalt driveways have been around for years and are the most common driveway construction method today. An asphalt contractor can help you determine what design would be best for your driveway.
