Blacktop and concrete are two very different products and each has its own
advantages and disadvantages. Blacktop is a mix of sand, gravel and asphalt.
Concrete, on the other hand, is a mix of sand, gravel and cement. Sometimes,
however, blacktop and concrete are used together, creating blacktop concrete, a
different material that works very well for big construction projects.
Blacktop or Cement?
It makes sense to use blacktop in road building, bridges and driveways in areas
with cold climates because blacktop is flexible and can tolerate the inevitable
expansion and contraction of the surface during season changes.
Blacktop is also very forgiving of the salt used for thawing the ice that
collects on the surface. Blacktop is easily damaged by snowplows. However, it
can be easily patched in the spring. Although blacktop is traditionally the
material of choice for cold climates, it does not withstand heat or ultraviolet
rays very well.
In warm climates, the tendency is to use concrete. Concrete is very durable and
resistant to sun and heat. It has the advantage in places where climate changes
aren’t too wild, but are mild most of the year.
The Advantages of Combining Materials
Many contractors and construction companies are finding the greatest value in
combining concrete and blacktop on their road projects. Building a concrete
foundation of about eight inches thick and topping that with six inches of
blacktop seems to give roadbuilders the right combination of the best of both
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