By admin Asphalt Paving • Construction • Paving • • • • • • • 0 Comments

4 Ways Asphalt Paving in Colorado Helps the Community

Asphalt paving is a vital part of the transportation infrastructure for Colorado. This type of pavement provides a safe, cost-effective and environmental friendly for the roads, bridges and parking areas. It plays a significant role in the Colorado community. Asphalt pavements is a combination of aggregates of stone, gravel or sand that are bound together using some asphalt cement, which is derived from crude oil.

A large percentage (94%) of American roads and highways are paved with asphalt. Construction and maintenance of these smooth asphalt pavements is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and completely recyclable. They offer a safe and long-lasting surface for all types of transportation modes such as foot trails, bike trails, roads and airport runways.

Some benefits of asphalt paving are:

1. Quieter Roads

Noise pollution is everywhere. One of the best ways to lower road noise is to deal with the issue at its source. By using asphalt pavements on roadways, noise in residential areas and businesses can be lowered significantly. Stone Matrix Asphalt can reduce road noise by 3-5 dB(A). Using asphalt to combat highway noise is even more effective than noise barrier walls.

2. Recyclable

Asphalt pavement and processing facilities have very low carbon footprint. Asphalt Pavement Alliance says that production of asphalt pavements emits less greenhouse gases compared to other concrete pavements. Asphalt pavements are highly recycled in America. 100 million tonnes of this type of pavements are reclaimed every year, and out of that, more than 95 percent is recycled or reused, thus saving the taxpayers money and less use of landfills.

Sustainability is very important in today’s society. Asphalt can be used over and over again, like an infinite life cycle. This one of the biggest reasons why asphalt is popularly used across the country. Most companies strive to use environment friendly materials; the recyclable nature of asphalt makes it a great product.

3. Create new jobs

A career in the asphalt industry means job security. Road construction is always happening in Colorado; new roads are being installed while existing roads require regular maintenance to enhance safety. From repairing potholes, to filling cracks, asphalt contractors are always busy trying to keep the Colorado roads clear, smooth and safer for drivers. Furthermore, construction of new business buildings means a need for parking lots installation as well as regular maintenance, which means job security in this field is great.

The asphalt pavement industry offers: local jobs that are usually pay well and last for long, heightened community transport infrastructure, improved standards of living for the local people, eco-friendly products, and economic development.

4. Asphalt is great for winter roads

Winter can be hard on pavements; the freezing, thawing, deicers, plowing and the immense weight of plow trucks contribute more to the damaging effects of the cold weather. However, some pavements can hold up better than other during this season.

Extreme winter weather can ruin paved surfaces. Asphalt pavement is not only quick to install, but is resistant to harsh weather too. Asphalt roadways can be able to withstand cold temperatures during weather in both the low traffic and high traffic areas.

Hot-mix asphalt is the best when it comes to ensuring that the roadways are free of potholes and cracks during winter. It is asphalt pavement that is poured immediately after mixing aggregates of sand and stone with petroleum on to the road while the mixture is still hot. The hot-mix asphalt is strong and long-lasting, resistant to freezing and thawing, not affected by deicing agents, flexible, cost-effective, and needs little maintenance.

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3 Variables To Consider When Determining Asphalt Paving Costs

Asphalt pavements are made from a mixture of stones, sand, and liquefied asphalt cement at 300°F. Upon cooling, the mixture forms a hard surface that is capable of accommodating heavy weights including vehicles. When computing asphalt paving costs, key among the factors to consider include soil, usage, and size. It is essential that you consult an experienced constructor to give you a quote before commencing on a project to ensure that your budget is capable of executing the task to completion.

Soil

The type of soil in the area to be paved plays a vital role in influencing asphalt paving costs. The kind of soil has a direct impact on the type of subgrade that will be used to support the load which will be transmitted from the pavement. The cost of paving increases with the increase in subgrade thickness. The subgrade is the working platform upon which the construction equipment is supported and is also the foundation to the pavement structure for supporting and distributing the traffic load. It is, therefore, critical to evaluate the how strong the subgrade should be before embarking on a pavement’s structural design. Failure to provide the required subgrade thickness can result in deflection rendering your work to be useless. Different soil types have to vary (texture) support capabilities which influence the depth of the subgrade. Soil texture is the average size of its mineral particles, and it defines how a type of soil can be used. Usually, most natural soils are made of different particle sizes which are used to distinguish one type from the other. Soils can be categorized into three main classes based on texture: Light, medium, and heavy-textured or fine grained. The three categories can further be classified as gravels, silts, sands, or clays.

Usage

The core function of an asphalt pavement is to distribute the weight on the wheels to the supporting subgrade. Asphalt paving costs vary with the type of load that will be accommodated on the pavement. Axle load can be classified into single, tandem, and multiple and can weigh up to 50,000 pounds. Asphalt pavements for use by tandem and multiple axle loads experience reduced load effects and thus, have a long lifespan. Asphalt pavements for use by single axle loads lack a diminished load effect and are thus, costly to pave due to the high-quality requirements to lengthen their lifespan. The volume and distribution of a load play a critical role in estimating the anticipated life of asphalt pavement and consequently, its cost. Usage of asphalt pavement can be predicted based on historical traffic records and truck percentage. To determine the effect of traffic, you require to establish the total volume of the two-way Average Daily Traffic (ADT). You can estimate a road’s ADT by use of a traffic map or a pneumatic tube on the road for some days. Traffic weight can have a dramatic effect on asphalt paving costs. Design differences have a direct impact on material, labor and equipment costs.

Size

The size of the area to be paved also impacts on the cost of asphalt paving. Size differences can be in parameters such as the gradient of the area to be paved, the extent of ground clearance required including the removal of physical barriers such as trees and buildings. Also, the cost of paving can be affected by whether the pavement will be flat or will have peaks and depressions to control the movement of storm water.

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Why You Should Be ADA Compliant In Your Parking Lot

Improvements to your parking lot aren’t an expense, they’re an investment. Those simple changes can pay for themselves.

They’re also the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has specific guidelines and requirements to accommodate those with disabilities. For your parking lot to be ADA compliant, it must be accessible and have no barriers, among other requirements. A full list of requirements can be found here. It is a common misconception that parking lots constructed before 1990 have been grandfathered in and don’t need to meet ADA requirements. As of 2012, that isn’t true. All businesses are required by law to be ADA compliant.

Here are some of the ways you’ll benefit:

1. More Customers

ADA compliance is designed to make it easier for people to access everyday businesses. You’ll open opportunities for more people to visit your store or office, bringing in a whole new set of customers or clients.

People with disabilities make up the largest minority in the nation, and they represent more than 12 percent of the population. With the growth in the aging population, that’s a lot of potential new customers or clients!

2.  Tax Benefits

The IRS offers tax advantages in the form of credits and deductions for businesses that can help with the cost of making your parking lot ADA compliant. According to the ADA website, the credits can be up to $5,000 a year for businesses with less than one million in revenue “to offset the cost of undertaking barrier removal and alterations to improve accessibility” and the deductions can be up to $15,000 a year for all businesses for the cost of these improvements. Check with your accountant for more information.

3.  Higher Property Value

It’s hard to predict the future, and you could outgrow your current location. Making your parking lot ADA compliant may increase your business’s property value because potential buyers would not be saddled with the cost of improving the property, yet will still benefit from the upgrade.

4.  Competitive Advantage

If you’re ADA compliant and your competitor is not, you are likely to draw in more consumers. The aging population – which makes up a large percentage of those with disabilities – holds half of the discretionary income in the nation, Even people who aren’t disabled respect the needs of others and will patronize businesses that are accessible to their friends and family members with disabilities. This holds true for employees as well, and your competitive edge can extend to potential new hires.

5.  Community Spirit

While more difficult to quantify, making your parking lot ADA compliant tells your community “we care” by respecting the needs of others. Today’s consumer looks for businesses that are socially responsible. Consider the needs of people with disabilities and the difficulties they face in everyday activities. By showing consideration, you are telling the public you are a company to trust. If you are thinking of the public, the public is thinking of you.

Simple yet important changes to your parking lot can affect your bottom line, offsetting the cost of those improvements. Those improvements can be seen as more than a business expense, but rather, a marketing tool.

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By admin Construction • Uncategorized • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Why Choose Superior? For Your Asphalt or Concrete Project

With over 31 years of expertise, Superior Aggregates provides you with dependable, quality service. We are Superior because we:

  1. Are confident;
  2. Work with you in defining your project needs;
  3. Perform in a timely manner;
  4. Get the job done right;
  5. Charge a reasonable amount;

Established in 1986, we serve the Boulder-Longmont and surrounding communities specializing in all aspects of asphalt installations and repairs along with concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway, and flatwork services for private and commercial projects.  Our management and staff are reputable people with an abundance of expertise and confidence providing reliable, knowledgeable, and top-notch workmanship; completing your project in the most efficient and timely manner.

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Top 5 Tips for Working with Concrete

Concrete has revolutionized operations in the construction industry. It allows both contractors and DIY enthusiasts to easily build walkways, driveways, and other projects without dealing with sophisticated storage procedures. Although working with concrete may seem intimidating to newbies, it is simple and straightforward if you adhere to best practices. Here are the top five tips that will ensure that your concrete project looks great and lasts longer.

1. Include an Additive to Make It Easier to Mix

You don’t have to spend a lot of money buying the most expensive concrete to achieve better results. As a DIY enthusiast, you can begin with the affordable concrete bag from your local hardware. You can stick to the typical mix concrete for simple projects since it doesn’t require additives.

However, if you are working on a large and sophisticated project, add a plasticizer to your concrete since it helps the cement to mix and flow easily. This ensures that the concrete mix gets into all the desired areas. Keep in mind that there is no magic when it comes to drying your concrete. Do not add anything to speed up or slow down the drying time since it may be catastrophic in future. If you’re working in areas that experience hotter temperatures, use a tarp to cover up your mold as it dries.

2. Use Proportionate Amounts of Water

When mixing your concrete, pour a small amount of water into the mixture first and mix for a few minutes until the whole amount of water is absorbed and add more water gradually as you mix. If you add an excessive amount of water at once, the mixture will become runny and hard to deal with. You should also spare a small amount of dry concrete just in case the mix becomes too thin.

You should use either a spade or a flat shovel for mixing. Add water to one side of the mixing tray or wheelbarrow and pull the concrete into it a little amount at a time to ensure that all particles get absorbed. Resist the urge of using a hosepipe to spray water on your mix.

3. Choose the Right Molds for Better Results

Mold materials that produce the best results are usually made out of melamine. Avoid using cardboard as mold since water tends to seep under creating a rough finish. However, in a melamine material, the water can’t escape since it’s non-porous. Instead, your concrete will mimic the melamine’s smooth and attractive look resulting in a perfect finish. No matter the kind of material you choose, just make sure that you make a mold that is strong enough to sustain the heavy concrete.

4. Remember to Wear PPE Before You Start Working with Concrete

Personal protective equipment is essential when working with concrete. It should have both elbow and knee pads, waterproof gloves, dust masks, goggles, and knee-high footwear. Make sure that you put on long pants and long-sleeved shirts when handling wet concrete. Keep in mind that exposure to damp concrete may result in third-degree burns and severe irritation if you aren’t protected adequately.

5. Choose the Right Finish to Make Your Project Look Impressive

Most people tend to think that they have limited options when it comes to the overall appearance of their concrete. However, the truth is that there are lots of simple solutions that can make your concrete project look more attractive, custom, and expensive. Concrete dyes, stamping, and acid stains can all create that impressive look. Polish your concrete with an orbital sander for a smooth finish.