Bitumen vs. asphalt: Which is better for your driveway?

Have you noticed the cracks and potholes invading your driveway lately? Immediately fixing these issues is crucial to prevent worsening structural issues. But if your driveway has deteriorated beyond repair, it might be time to lay down fresh pavement using bitumen or asphalt.  

In this article, learn the contrasting characteristics of bitumen vs. asphalt to decide which you should use for your driveway. 

What is bitumen?

Bitumen is a naturally occurring material used as a liquid binder to seal driveways. It is a thick, viscous liquid with a black or dark brown color found in crude oil deposits, natural gas fields, and ocean floors. Before bitumen can be used in road and pavement construction, manufacturers extract bitumen from crude oil and petroleum through distillation. 

Due to its strong binding and waterproofing properties, bitumen provides pavement surfaces with extra strength and protection against water and structural damage. 

However, bitumen applications are not limited to road construction because you may also use it as a roof waterproofing agent, a paint additive, and an asphalt sealant.

What is asphalt?

Asphalt is a road construction material produced in manufacturing plants with a composite mix of construction aggregates (such as sand, gravel, and stones), a binding agent, and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Many people would confuse asphalt with natural bitumen because asphalt is a bituminous material, which means it contains bitumen to bind the aggregates. 

Asphalt is most often used for building roads, parking spaces, sidewalks, and driveways because of its durability and smooth appearance. Note that applying it may involve using a paving machine. 

What are the different types of bitumen and asphalt?

Bitumen has two types, namely:

1. Atactic polypropylene (APP) — has plastic-like properties and is resistant to high temperatures.

2. Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) — has rubber-like properties that prevent it from cracking during cold winter months. 

Whereas asphalt has three types, which are:

1. Hot mix asphalt (HMA) is the standard asphalt mix used in major road and pavement projects. It comes in three varieties:

• Dense-graded mixes — the most commonly used type of HMA with an impermeable surface that doesn’t allow water to penetrate. 

• Stone-matrix mixes — have more stone aggregates with higher asphalt content to minimize tire noise and prevent surface cracking.

• Porous HMA — has an open-graded structure that allows water drainage and filters pollutants in water.

2. Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is similar to HMA but is heated at a lower temperature and uses less oil and petroleum, making it environmentally friendly.

3. Cold mix asphalt (CMA) is less durable because the aggregates are not heated, so it is often used in patching holes and cracks.

Asphalt vs. bitumen driveways: What’s the difference?

Since both are popular for road and pavement construction, deciding whether an asphalt or bitumen driveway is better can take time and effort. You have to consider numerous factors before making an informed decision.

In terms of cost

Bitumen is more affordable upfront. However, bitumen-sealed surfaces easily get damaged over time, especially if you regularly park and walk on them. This is why many use bitumen only for road resurfacing to fix potholes and cracks. 

Meanwhile, asphalt offers a more durable solution for driveways. Generally, asphalt roads are thicker and require less maintenance. So, even though asphalt pavement installation is expensive ($5 to $13 per square foot), it is more cost-effective in the long run. 

In terms of appearance

If you want something organic, go for bitumen. It has a stony top layer with visible textured grain and pebbles, helping add natural elements to your driveway. Another advantage of bitumen is that some manufacturers can add pigments on a bitumen-sealed surface to match your home’s exterior fully. 

For a much cleaner and classic look, choose asphalt surfaces. They initially appear black and slowly turn grey over time. Asphalt is also ideal for curvy driveways because it is more flexible to shape. This allows you to add a grassy island or blooming garden at the center of your driveway to make it look more attractive. 

In terms of skid resistance

Skid resistance is a significant parameter that measures driveway safety because it determines the grip of your tires on the pavement surface. In other words, if the pavement surface has good skid resistance, it prevents the car from sliding out of control. 

Between the two, asphalt is more skid-resistant. Even though it appears smooth, the asphalt mixture contains fine, coarse particles that create a rough surface. This provides more friction between the tires and the road. Moreover, some asphalt types, like porous asphalt, have water-draining properties that prevent your driveway from getting too wet and slippery during rainfall. 

Another advantage of choosing asphalt is that the surface doesn’t wash away easily, unlike in bitumen-sprayed driveways. This is why many homeowners with sloped driveways choose asphalt. 

Meanwhile, loose stones occur in bitumen-sealed surfaces, and they can wear out your tires quickly. This also causes your car to sound noisy.  

In terms of temperature sensitivity

Since some parts of the US have snowy regions, your driveway surface should adapt well to varying temperatures. Asphalt is a good option due to its flexibility and malleability. This means an asphalt surface expands instead of cracking or breaking at different temperatures.

Moreover, asphalt comes in many types, including the standard HMA. Commonly used in roads and driveways, this type of asphalt uses a bitumen binder, which is heated to high temperatures. This helps evaporate the extra moisture in the mixture, increasing its strength and weather resistance. 

Conversely, bitumen-sprayed driveways are more sensitive to high temperatures because bitumen is soft. Consequently, it bends and changes shape when exposed to extreme heat.

In terms of durability

Although both surface materials require regular driveway cleaning and maintenance to ensure longevity, asphalt is undeniably more durable. It has a layer depth of 25 to 44 millimeters, thicker than bitumen-sealed driveways with a layer depth of 10 to 20 millimeters. Because of this, asphalt surfaces have a longer lifespan and can last more than 20 years! 

However, although asphalt is more durable, keep in mind that it still requires sealant reapplication every three to five years. Also, cracks and potholes may inevitably appear over time, so call for driveway repair services immediately to prevent further material deterioration. 

In terms of eco-friendliness

Asphalt is a sustainable choice because it is fully recyclable. In addition, some US companies have developed various types of eco-friendly asphalt, including rubber-modified asphalt.

Moreover, HMA with dense-grade mixes is impermeable, unlike bitumen-sealed surfaces. This helps prevent leaching or the process of water-carrying chemicals and pollutants flowing through pavement layers. Simply put, the impermeable asphalt surface helps block toxic substances leaked in cars (such as oil and transmission fluid) from seeping through the pavement surface to avoid polluting soil and groundwater. 

Achieve your dream driveway with Airtasker

Now that you understand asphalt and bitumen differences, the next step is to look for experts who can help you build a safe and attractive driveway! At Airtasker, you can find skilled and experienced builders who can provide detailed information about asphalt driveway costs and safety, so feel free to contact them.