Why Cold Mix Asphalt Bags Are Better Than Hot Asphalt

Sometimes, there are things that are better meant to be cold than hot.

And we’re talking about asphalt mixtures. You are probably wondering why cold mix asphalt bags are better than their hot counterparts. But why are they better though?

Let’s go back in time for a bit.

As early as the 8th century, tar was already used to build roads and to pave streets. More than a thousand years later, the development of tar-penetration macadams gave birth to cold mix applications and were already introduced as cost-effective means of building roads. But the early versions of cold mix macadams were only intended to seal off moisture by spraying tar on top of the layers of stone. This produced an in-situ cold mix pavement surface. This basically meant that even during this time, they were already using cold mixtures to treat their roads. So why shouldn’t we?

But why is cold better than hot?

Cold mix asphalt is way better than hot asphalt because it’s very easy to use for cracks, potholes, and pavement repairs. The cold mixture is not as viscous as hot asphalt, but the properties are the same.

With hot asphalt, you still have to do a lot of mixing, get the necessary permits, and even become an inconvenience to the people around you as you will be closing or sectioning off a road just to accommodate a single pothole repair. Cold mix asphalt removes all of this and more.

Cold mix asphalt is better in terms of convenience because better mixtures can easily fix roads and potholes that have water in them. This basically saves you time, money, and manpower alone because the mixture works with water.

Are there reasons why cold is used more than hot?

Cold mix asphalt does a better job at repairing cracks, potholes, and utility cuts. The main reason why cold mix is more preferred by contractors is that they can use it any time of the year – especially during the harsh winter seasons.

Now, asphalt emulsion mixtures (hot or cold) are used for local roads because they are stronger and the quality of the pavement surface is better than any other mixture or material. Because of its ability to self-heal and its flexibility, cold mix asphalt is very tough and is highly resistant to future cracks and surface wear and tear.

How long does cold mix asphalt last?

Contractors have timed the life expectancy of cold mix asphalt to one year, which is why they emphasise the use of high-quality and properly compacted materials. High quality materials will help you maximize the cold mix asphalt and make it last longer.

Take note that not all cold mix asphalt bag is made equally, from the materials used to the manufacturing process. This is why you have to be aware of the different brands of cold mix asphalt bags and use only the best brand possible.