Asphalt is one of the most popular choices for parking lots, driveways, loading docks and more, and it’s not hard to see why. The material is cost-effective, easy to maintain and visually appealing. However, to ensure that pavement lasts, contractors spend more time engineering Austin asphalt paving than most realize. Many critical factors impact longevity and strength, but one of the most important is thickness. So, how thick should asphalt paving in Austin be?
Why Is Thickness Important for Austin Asphalt Paving?
How thick asphalt paving is directly impacts its ability to distribute weight and withstand traffic loads. Asphalt is tough, but it’s not indestructible. Like any other material, it can only support so much weight. Exceeding that capacity can lead to all types of trouble, including severe damage, structural failure and safety risks.
Asphalt paving in Austin all looks the same when viewing it from the surface. However, asphalt companies engineer surfaces to meet the precise needs of the property. Thickness is a major factor. When you consider the typical traffic different types of pavement receive, you can start to see why. A residential driveway only needs to support one or two vehicles and light daily traffic. Meanwhile, the parking lot of a busy shopping center may accommodate hundreds of cars around the clock!
The needs of those two surfaces are very different; therefore, they can’t be of the same thickness.
How Do Asphalt Paving Contractors Determine the Appropriate Thickness?
Asphalt paving companies in Austin begin every project by discussing the intended use of the pavement. Asphalt companies will ask about the types of vehicles using the pavement and how much traffic you expect. From there, they can engineer your asphalt paving to meet the mark, choosing the right thickness to ensure optimal load-bearing capacity. However, it doesn’t stop there.
Teams will also test the soil at your site. There are many types of soil in Central Texas, some better suited for asphalt paving than others. Asphalt companies in Austin conduct tests to understand the characteristics of the soil, including its load-bearing capacity. The information will help guide subgrade preparations and help asphalt paving contractors determine how to build the subbase that sits above it. While the thickness of your pavement matters, the foundation’s strength is equally important. It’s a balancing act between thickness, subgrade quality and subbase support that contributes to the overall integrity of the pavement.
Asphalt companies in Austin do substantial planning and preparation, and many factors come together to ensure the final product is tough enough to serve your property for decades.
What Are Common Thickness Standards for Different Types of Austin Asphalt Paving?
All pavement is unique, and asphalt companies in Austin will choose a thickness based on your specific needs. However, there are a few standard thicknesses to help you better understand what your project will require.
- Residential Driveways: Asphalt paving companies recommend a thickness of two to three inches for a standard driveway. The asphalt may sit atop as much as six inches of subbase aggregate for added strength, depending on soil conditions.
- Parking Lots: A typical light-duty parking lot does well with three to four inches of asphalt. The precise thickness will depend on soil conditions and the thickness of the subbase aggregate layer.
- Parking Lots for Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Asphalt paving contractors often start with a thickness of six inches for parking lots that need to support heavier vehicles like dump trucks or delivery vehicles. The asphalt may be thicker based on the types of automobiles and equipment that intend to use the pavement.
- Asphalt Walkways: Pedestrian-only walkways and bike trails may only require two inches of asphalt. However, it all depends on the subbase. Asphalt paving companies may construct surfaces with or without aggregate based on soil testing. The asphalt layer can be two to three inches thick when there is aggregate. Without it, the asphalt must be three to five inches thick.
- Roads: The average thickness of asphalt roads is four to 12 inches. Light-traffic asphalt paving in Austin doesn’t require much thickness. However, high-traffic highways and freeways need substantial support to prevent cracking and structural concerns.
Pana Paving is proud to be one of the most trusted asphalt companies in Central Texas. We have over three decades of expertise in constructing asphalt surfaces of all thicknesses. Every project begins with a comprehensive discussion about your needs. Our mission is to provide paving that lasts, so we consider all factors when designing and building a surface, ensuring that it more than meets the mark. We want to deliver a final product that can serve your property for as long as possible. Pana Paving is available for new asphalt paving, repairs, maintenance, concrete work, retaining walls and more.
Ready to talk shop and learn more about what we do? Call Pana Paving today at (512)920-7452, email panapaving@gmail.com or use our online form to get a free quote.
