Asphalt is something most people see and use every day. In fact, HowStuffWorks states that 94% of roads in the United States are paved with asphalt. We see paving companies working to repair asphalt all the time. However, did you know there are tons of cool facts about asphalt? Let's dive into a few!

It's Most Popular for Parking Lots

According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, over 90% of parking lots nationwide are paved with asphalt. That's because asphalt is durable and can withstand constant traffic. The black pavement creates the perfect contrast to make yellow parking lot lines more visible, too. Paving companies make repairs on asphalt rather quickly, making this an efficient option for businesses.

It's Environmentally Friendly

Asphalt does require energy to produce but is surprisingly eco-friendly. That's because it's one of the most recycled materials. After asphalt is torn off a road, it can be recycled and used repeatedly. Recycled asphalt requires less energy and no new raw materials, making it an affordable choice.

It Was Used by Ancient Civilizations

According to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, asphalt is a word that comes from the Greek word asphaltos, which means to make secure. The Greeks are one ancient civilization that frequently used asphalt. They used it to strengthen their ships, making them durable for battle and transport. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine also states that asphalt made boats waterproof, and even the Babylonians used this material back in 625 B.C. to create roads.

It's Highly Versatile

Most people envision parking lots and roads when they think of paving companies and asphalt. However, this versatile material is used for more than that. Asphalt is used to help build driveways and playgrounds thanks to its fantastic durability. It's also used in the roofing industry and to help waterproof or soundproof certain parts of buildings.

It Can Naturally Occur

Asphalt isn't all man-made, as multiple asphalt lakes have naturally occurred. You can see La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles or the McKittrick Tar Pits. These are lakes filled with natural asphalt, called pitch, bitumen, or asphaltum. This substance is deep within the Earth but slowly moves along fault lines, occasionally coming to the surface. There's even an asphalt lake called Pitch Lake in the Caribbean you can walk across, according to Lake Scientist.

Here at Lee & Sons Paving LLC, we're knowledgeable about everything that has to do with asphalt. Contact one of the top paving companies in New Britain, CT to learn more about our services today.