Several customers of mine have been using the term ”Asphalt Paving” and meaning different type of asphalt maintenance. Sometimes they mean asphalt sealcoating which is completely different from asphalt paving.
Asphalt sealcoating is the application of a liquid sealer on an
asphalt pavement. Typically it’s a refined coal tar sealer that is
applied either by spray or brush. Sometimes polymer additives are mixed
in as well as a silica sand to add traction and durability to the
sealer. The thickness on top of the finished asphalt pavement is
measured in millimeters and typical life is 2-5 years depending on
traffic flow.
Within the asphalt industry, asphalt paving is the installation of a
new asphalt surface by a self-propelled machine that lays the asphalt
down. There are different grades of asphalt ranging from a base
material, with larger stone and less sand in the mixture to surface
asphalt which has smaller stone and more sand in the mix. Asphalt
paving requires that the material be rolled or compacted usually by some
type mechanical compactor such as a self-propelled roller. The
thickness of the finished asphalt is measured in inches (typically
1.5-3”) and has a useful life of 15-25 years depending on traffic and
general asphalt maintenance.
Remember, asphalt paving is not a general term used to describe all
asphalt maintenance. Paving means new asphalt pavement. Sealcoating
means maintaining that asphalt pavement.