Why Cold Mix Asphalt Bags Are Better Than Hot Asphalt
Convenience hot mix can’t match
Hot asphalt needs a plant, a truck and a crew working against the clock. Bagged cold mix is ready on the shelf whenever a pothole appears.
By the Permanent Pothole Solutions team · Updated 26 October 2026
No fumes from heating, no tack coat, and less handling — which also reduces OH&S risk.
A short history of cold mix
Tar has been used to pave streets since around the 8th century. Much later, tar-penetration macadams introduced cold-applied road building as a cost-effective method — stone layers sealed with sprayed tar to keep moisture out.
Why cold beats hot for repairs
Hot asphalt means mixing, permits, and closing a road section for a single pothole. Cold mix removes all of that, and quality mixes work even with water in the hole — saving time, money and labour.
Contractors favour cold mix because it can be used any time of year. Its flexibility and resistance to cracking make it tough under wear.
Not all cold mix is equal
Lifespan depends on material quality and proper compaction. Choose a dense, polymer-modified mix — and compact it well.
Cold patch vs hot mix
| Asphalt in a Bag (cold) | Hot mix | |
|---|---|---|
| Heating | None | Plant and truck needed |
| Tack coat | Not required | Usually required |
| Wet weather | Can go into standing water | Needs dry conditions |
| Working time | No rush — 12 month shelf life sealed | Must be laid while hot |
| Traffic | Immediately | After cooling |
| Best for | Patching and maintenance | Large-area paving |
Asphalt in a Bag range
View product →Cold mix asphalt guideCold Patch
Read the guide →What’s in Asphalt in a Bag
A ready-to-use pre-mix of selected aggregates, bitumen and a co-polymer. The polymer drives curing on compaction and makes the mix adhere to itself and to asphalt, concrete, steel and wood. A high fines content (sand and cone dust) fills voids, keeping air and water out — which is why you can use up to 20% less than other products.
Choosing the right gauge
| Mix | Compacted lift | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Gauge | 12.5–20mm | Shallow repairs and fine finishes (made to order) |
| 7 Gauge | 17.5–28mm | Driveways, footpaths, shallow potholes |
| 10 Gauge | 25–40mm | All-purpose pothole and road repairs |
| 14 Gauge | 35–56mm | Deeper potholes and heavy-duty repairs |
Coverage at a glance
- 15kg bag/bucket ≈ 0.13 m² at 50mm
- 20kg bag/bucket ≈ 0.17 m² at 50mm
- 1 tonne bulk bag ≈ 8.7 m² at 50mm
Need an exact number? Use the Asphalt Calculator.
Why Asphalt in a Bag
- Permanent. Expands and contracts with the road surface, so the patch moves with the pavement instead of breaking away.
- Cures on impact. Curing is activated by compaction — tamp it or roll it and it sets.
- Bonds to anything. Adheres to asphalt, concrete, steel and even wood.
- Any weather. Apply from -26°C to 49°C, in rain, or straight into a pothole full of water.
- No tack coat. No pre-coating or priming. Open, pour, compact.
- Traffic-ready. Application is up to five times faster, and it can take traffic immediately.
Related
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Talk to our team about Asphalt in a Bag, Rubberised Crack Filler and bulk supply.