When it comes to paving materials, asphalt is a popular choice. But what’s better: cold or hot mix asphalt? It depends on the project. Here’s a breakdown of some of the differences and the advantages of both asphalt varieties.
What’s the Difference?
The major difference between these two types of asphalt is pretty obvious—it’s the temperature. Hot mix asphalt is a combination of aggregates such as gravel, asphalt cement, and/or sand. Before the mixture can be applied to a crack or pothole, it must be heated to a very high temperature. It’s most commonly used for larger projects like driveways, parking lots, and roadways.
On the other hand, cold mix asphalt is ideal for smaller applications like fixing potholes. As the name implies, it’s applied straight from the pail rather than needing to be heated.
How to Decide Between Cold Mix Asphalt and Hot Mix Asphalt
Weather Conditions
One of the best reasons why companies opt for using cold mix asphalt is because of how versatile it is. It can be installed at virtually any temperature in any season. In contrast, hot asphalt applies best when it’s about 20 degrees Celsius outside. If you need some patchwork done in a cold location or during the colder season, hot mix asphalt won’t take you far. However, when it comes to the elements, hot mix asphalt is resilient against harsh weather and flooding.
Price
Another key factor to consider when you’re selecting your asphalt mix is the cost. Typically, you’ll find that cold mix asphalt is much cheaper. You will also usually be able to find it in smaller amounts. If you have a smaller asphalt patching project, you won’t have to over-buy and waste. Conversely, hot mix asphalt can get pretty expensive.
Strength and Durability
When you’re looking for asphalt that is extra strong and durable, hot mix asphalt is usually the go-to. This is because cold mix asphalt is not necessarily intended to be a permanent solution for pavement. With hot mix asphalt, the aggregate binds stronger, making it the ideal choice for areas with heavy traffic.
Convenience
When it comes to the application process, you can expect using cold mix asphalt to be the easy route. Since it doesn’t require much time or effort, the installation process is a breeze. Not only does the installation itself take a minimal amount of time, but the patched-up pavement is also ready to be used instantly after application. Although hot mix asphalt does cool down quicker than you might expect, it still has to go through the more complex and time-consuming process of being heated. Roads typically need to be closed down for a couple hours after application.
Order Cold Mix Asphalt from Paves
If you have a project in Singapore that calls for cold mix asphalt, Paves Asia Pacific Pte Ltd can help! We sell cold mix asphalt in pails of 25 kilograms each, the perfect size for transporting to the worksite with ease. If there’s any leftover, you can keep the mix in an airtight container to use at a later date.
For the next time you need asphalt patched up, make sure you have cold mix asphalt on hand. Order yours from Paves today!
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