Recycled asphalt — also known as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) or millings — is ground-up asphalt pavement recovered from demolished driveways, roads, and parking lots. Instead of being discarded, this material is processed and made available as an affordable alternative to new hot-mix asphalt for certain driveway applications. Harrison Paving installs both hot-mix asphalt and recycled asphalt driveways throughout South Jersey and can help you determine which is right for your property and budget.
Cost savings are the biggest advantage. Recycled asphalt typically costs 30 to 40 percent less than hot-mix asphalt installation, making it attractive for long driveways, secondary access drives, farm lanes, and parking areas where budget is the primary concern. RAP is environmentally responsible — it keeps millions of tons of pavement material out of landfills and reduces the need to mine new aggregate. Recycled asphalt provides better stability than loose gravel because the residual tar content helps the material bind together over time, especially in warm weather. It also provides semi-permeable drainage, which can be advantageous in areas with stormwater management requirements.
Appearance is the most significant drawback. Recycled asphalt has a rough, grayish appearance that lacks the smooth, dark finish of a hot-mix asphalt driveway. It does not compact into a seamless surface the way hot-mix does — the texture will always be somewhat granular and loose material may scatter at edges. Durability is lower than hot-mix asphalt because the binding properties are residual rather than engineered. Recycled asphalt cannot be sealcoated the way hot-mix asphalt can, limiting your maintenance options. Some HOAs and municipalities restrict or prohibit RAP driveways in residential neighborhoods due to appearance standards.
Recycled asphalt works best for secondary or access driveways that are not the primary entrance to your home, rural properties and farm lanes where appearance standards are less strict, parking pads for boats, RVs, or equipment, and long driveways where hot-mix asphalt cost would be prohibitive. It is less suitable for short residential driveways visible from the street, properties subject to HOA appearance standards, or high-traffic commercial applications.
For your primary residential driveway — the one visitors and potential home buyers see — hot-mix asphalt provides a dramatically superior appearance, smoother surface, longer lifespan, and full maintenance options including sealcoating. The upfront cost difference is typically $1 to $2 per square foot, which on a 600 square foot driveway translates to $600 to $1,200 more for a surface that looks significantly better and lasts 10 to 15 years longer.
Harrison Paving installs both materials and provides honest advice on which is appropriate for each customer's situation. We never pressure a customer toward the more expensive option when recycled asphalt will serve their needs perfectly well, and we always explain the trade-offs clearly so you can make an informed decision. Call (856) 694-4181 for a free on-site estimate that covers both options for your South Jersey property.
Contact Harrison Paving at (856) 694-4181 for a free estimate.