As construction professionals who’ve worked on countless projects since 1985, we at Elizabeth Paving ove sharing interesting tidbits about building materials. Today, we’re diving into some fascinating facts about that black material you drive on every day – asphalt. Trust us, it’s more interesting than you think!
1. Asphalt Is One of the Most Recycled Materials on Earth
Here’s something that might surprise you: Nearly 100% of asphalt pavement removed during construction projects gets recycled. In fact, asphalt is recycled more than both paper and glass combined! Pretty impressive for something we usually just think of as “road stuff.”
2. Ancient Civilizations Used Natural Asphalt
Long before we were paving roads in Edison, ancient Babylonians were using naturally occurring asphalt to waterproof temple baths and water tanks. The ancient Egyptians even used it in the mummification process – talk about a versatile material!
3. America’s First Asphalt Road Was Built in 1870
While we’ve been in business since 1985, the first asphalt road in America was laid way back in 1870 in Newark, New Jersey – right in our backyard! It was a small stretch in front of the Newark City Hall, and it sparked a revolution in road construction.
4. The Smoothness Factor
Here’s a cool fact we share with our commercial clients: Every time you drive over fresh asphalt, you’re actually helping to compact it further. That’s why new parking lots often feel smoother after a few weeks of use.
5. Asphalt Is Temperature Sensitive (Really Temperature Sensitive!)
As New Jersey contractors, we know this well: Asphalt can be as soft as putty at 140°F and as brittle as glass at -40°F. That’s why proper installation timing is crucial for longevity.
6. “Perpetual Pavement” Is a Real Thing
Some asphalt roads are designed to last 50 years or more with just occasional surface maintenance. These “perpetual pavements” have multiple layers designed for specific purposes – pretty ingenious engineering!
7. Quiet Please: Asphalt Is the Silent Type
Compared to other paving materials, asphalt creates less noise when driven on. In fact, it can reduce road noise by up to 7 decibels – that’s like turning down your car radio several notches.
8. Mother Nature’s Contribution
Natural asphalt deposits exist around the world. The largest is the Pitch Lake in Trinidad, which covers about 114 acres and is up to 250 feet deep. Nature’s own paving supply store!
9. Saving Energy One Road at a Time
Dark-colored asphalt parking lots actually help melt snow faster in winter. We’ve seen this firsthand in our Edison projects – nature’s own snow removal system!
10. The Racing Connection
Ever wonder why race tracks are often paved with asphalt? It provides better grip and can be precisely engineered for specific racing conditions. NASCAR tracks use special asphalt mixes designed for high-speed performance.
11. Asphalt Goes Green
Modern asphalt mixes can include recycled materials like:
- Ground tire rubber
- Glass
- Roofing shingles
- Even pig manure (yes, really!)
12. The Empire State Building Connection
The Empire State Building’s elevator shafts were waterproofed with natural asphalt. Talk about a vote of confidence in the material’s durability!
13. Asphalt’s Secret Identity
What we call asphalt is technically “asphalt concrete.” Pure asphalt is just the black, sticky stuff that holds the rock and sand together – kind of like nature’s glue.
14. A Matter of Temperature
Hot-mix asphalt is typically applied at temperatures between 300-350°F. That’s hot enough to bake a pizza! (Though we definitely don’t recommend trying that…)
15. America’s Love Affair with Asphalt
There are more than 2.7 million miles of paved roads in America, and 94% of them are surfaced with asphalt. That’s enough asphalt to build a road to the moon and back!
Why This Matters for Your Property
Understanding these facts helps appreciate why proper installation and maintenance are crucial. At CMB Stucco & Construction, we bring this deep understanding of materials to every project we handle.
Need Expert Advice?
Whether you’re planning a new parking lot, need repairs, or just have questions about asphalt maintenance, our team is here to help:
