The steep escarpment of the Perth Hills creates one of Western Australia’s most incredible destinations, where breathtaking views and vibrant townships converge. For lucky local residents and business owners however, the sloping natural bushland poses a challenging site for construction projects, particularly sloping driveways.

When constructing a driveway on a slope in the Perth Hills area, choosing an unsuitable surfacing material choice can pose issues of safety, longevity, maintenance costs, appearance and affordability. Fortunately, installing an asphalt driveway at your Perth Hills property is a safe, durable, and economically savvy solution.

Read ahead to discover 5 reasons why experts recommend asphalt for a sloping driveway, and to learn more about asphalt installation at your Perth property with the professionals at NK Asphalt.

 

Why is Asphalt the Solution to Sloping Driveways?

Asphalt is a popular building material commonly used to construct Australian roads, car parks and driveways. The surfacing material is created by heating, drying and mixing aggregate (granite and/or gravel and sand) with bitumen binder which forms hot mix asphalt when combined at high temperatures. It is a common mistake to use the word bitumen interchangeably when referring to asphalt, as bitumen refers to the liquid binder that holds the asphalt together.

When it comes to constructing a sloping driveway, asphalt is often the experts’ surface material of choice, standing out from other materials in terms of appearance, suitability and safety, with a non-slip surface. Asphalt can be laid effectively at up to 1 in 6 (10 degree) slope. Inclines in excess of this will normally require concrete with a nonslip finish.

Asphalt is the best solution for sloping driveways due to its numerous advantages. It is:

  1. Cost-effective: Asphalt is a cost-effective solution for sloping driveways. It is less expensive than other materials and requires less maintenance.
  2. Durable: Asphalt is highly durable and can withstand heavy loads and harsh weather conditions.
  3. Safe: The rough texture of asphalt provides excellent traction, making it safe for vehicles and pedestrians.
  4. Easy to install: Asphalt can be installed quickly and easily, reducing the inconvenience to homeowners.
  5. Environmentally friendly: Asphalt is recyclable and can be reused, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Increase the Grip and Traction

A driveway on a slope constructed with the wrong material can be a recipe for disaster, particularly in the wild weather the Perth Hills area is prone to in winter. Unlike other popular materials such as recycled asphalt or unsealed roadbase or gravel, asphalt provides superior skid resistance for downward or upward sloping driveways and the surface doesn’t become loose and wash away with rain and water run-off as it ages.

New asphalt is an excellent solution for driveways on a slope as it provides great traction even when wet, ensuring its safety year-round.

 

Extend the Lifespan of Your Driveway

An expertly laid asphalt driveway is astonishingly durable, typically lasting around 20 to 30 years. In comparison to its more high-maintenance counterpart of concrete and resealing of limestone concrete, asphalt’s flexible nature means it usually outlasts concrete in terms of needing maintenance, repair and resurfacing. Its toughness and durability makes asphalt the preferred choice for driveways on a slope.

steep asphalt driveway perth

NK Asphalt’s driveways are perfect for steep properties as seen here.

Older asphalt driveways can also be resurfaced relatively cheaply with little lost time, whereas bricks, recycled asphalt and concrete often need to be fully demolished, removed and new materials laid at great expense.

Accelerate the Installation Time

Installation of an asphalt driveway on a slope can be less complicated than other materials, streamlining the construction process. Whereas laying bricks and pavers would require time to create an even surface on a slope, asphalt can be easier. Asphalt can be laid, shaped, and levelled by paving machine to achieve the best results. While it’s recommended that you wait 24-hours before driving on asphalt, this is substantially faster than concrete’s week-long wait time. The problem with pavers spreading apart on a hill is not a problem with asphalt

 

Reduce the Cost of Sloping Driveways

Asphalt is one of the most inexpensive long-term driveway construction materials, boosting its popularity as a surfacing material for particularly long sloping driveways. Laying asphalt is significantly quicker than other materials such as concrete and pavers, meaning costs are notably reduced.

 

Uncomplicate the Repairs

In addition to being much quicker to install than most other surfacing materials, asphalt needs repairing less frequently, and is less time-consuming and expensive to repair. Rigid materials such as concrete and brick paving when lifted by tree roots or other disturbances will display visible cracks or can lift causing a raised exposed edge that can be a trip hazard or cause tyre damage, whereas when asphalt cracks it tends to result in a more even shaped bump.

 

Perth’s Asphalt Experts Specialising in Sloping Driveways

Perth-based contractors NK Asphalt are leading specialists in installing and resurfacing large and medium-sized asphalt surfaces, with expertise in semi-rural or larger suburban driveways. With over 30 years in business since 1989, we take pride in delivering a professional and high-quality asphalt driveway installation for your residential or commercial property.

If you’re interested in having your asphalt driveway laid or resurfaced with care by the experts at NK Asphalt, contact our friendly team today to receive free advice, measure and quote.

NK Asphalt
Asphalt Contractors Perth

We strive to continue to be the best provider of asphalt surfacing, rather than simply to be the biggest in the industry. Our family-owned and operated business was opened in 1989 and we are proud to have become one of Perth’s most well known and experienced private asphalt laying companies.