The Different Types of Professional Paving Contractor Might Use

At Luxe Stone, we work with a range of different asphalt mixes for different projects.  We often use a variety of custom blends with different thickness, granularity, and stress tolerances. It would be smart if you know about the different kinds of asphalt mixes that are used in your project. Let us take a look at some of the different kinds of asphalt mixes that we use at Luxe Stone.

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA): It is the “standard” type of asphalt. In HMA, the binding material and aggregate materials are heated to between 280-325 degrees Fahrenheit. It is then laid down when still extremely hot. HMA is generally laid in warmer months. This is because cold winter temperatures can cause the base to cool fast.

Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA): Warm asphalt mixes are newer type of asphalt mix. As the name suggests they are between hot and cold.  They come with a host of advantages. For example, they can be laid in cooler temperatures, hauled farther, and still set correctly. They use lower levels of petroleum products than hot mix. WMA is used in about 30 percent of all paving projects, as it is actually better for the environment as there is less dust, smoke and fumes when this asphalt is poured. WMA is manufactured at temperatures between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA): This type of asphalt mix is a blend of oils and additives which make it possible for the asphalt mix to be stored and laid down cold. The results are generally not as strong as hot mixed asphalt. CMA is generally used for patchwork, potholes, or for lesser-used surfaces.