What is The Difference Between Bitumen and Asphalt Roads?

Asphalt and bitumen are two terms that are often used interchangeably. In reality, however, these two materials are quite different from each other. They differ in terms of purpose, application and composition.

So, if they’re so different, why do people confuse the two? Is one better than the other? In what situations would you choose asphalt over bitumen and vice versa?

Whether you’re looking to build a new driveway for your home or are looking to develop a car park for your business, it’s important to know the difference between asphalt and bitumen.

Understanding both of these materials can help you make the right financial decision for your property or business.

The Difference Between Bitumen and Asphalt

Bitumen is a viscous, petroleum-based liquid that is primarily used as a binder and adhesive. Asphalt concrete, on the other hand, is a composite material that is composed of stone aggregate, sand and bitumen. In other words, bitumen is the binder that holds together the various materials in asphalt roads.

Part of the confusion comes from the fact that bitumen is sometimes referred to as ‘asphalt’. To make matters even more confusing, asphalt concrete is also commonly referred to as ‘asphalt’. Between British and American English, there are also significant differences in how these terms are used.

Some may ask what the difference is between what people call bitumen roads and what people call asphalt roads.

When someone says asphalt roads, they are usually referring to asphalt concrete made up of aggregate, sand and bitumen binder.

On the other hand, bitumen roads are often referring to pavement that is protected via bitumen spray sealing. Bitumen sealing involves spraying a surface with bitumen and then covering it with a layer of stone aggregate. This step is then repeated to give the surface a two-coat seal.

For the sake of simplicity, we’re going to refer to the adhesive binder as bitumen and refer to asphalt concrete as asphalt for the rest of this article.

Bitumen Roads vs. Asphalt Roads

To help you decide on which material is better for your project, we’re going to discuss the pros, cons and overall properties of both asphalt and bitumen roads.

• Cost

In terms of upfront costs, bitumen roads are considerably cheaper when you compare them to asphalt. However, a bitumen road will require a lot of maintenance work throughout its lifespan. To ensure that the surface remains in good condition, bitumen surfaces will need to be resurfaced and cleaned regularly. In the long run, this could end up costing you more money.

• Smoothness

The surface of asphalt roads is generally smoother than bitumen roads. This has a few advantages. First, it makes asphalt roads skid resistant. This gives users better vehicle control and improves fuel consumption by reducing unnecessary friction. It also reduces the amount of noise the vehicle makes while you’re driving, making it perfect for private driveways or parking lots near a business complex.

Bitumen, on the other hand, has a much rougher surface. This not only creates a lot of noise, it also increases friction, causing tyres to wear out faster. Because of this, bitumen is more suited to low-speed roads and pathways.

• Durability

Overall, asphalt is more durable than bitumen-sealed surfaces. Asphalt concrete is impermeable, can withstand heavy vehicles and can endure extreme changes in temperature. This makes asphalt the perfect choice for motorways and other hard-wearing roads.

However, due to the cost of asphalt, it’s important to consider whether or not these traits are necessary for your project. For example, if you’re simply looking to develop a low-speed road for light vehicles, you won’t need the hardest and most durable surface. As such, bitumen might be the better economical choice in this situation.

Hopefully, this has helped you understand the difference between asphalt and bitumen. If you have specific questions about installation costs, be sure to consult your local bitumen or asphalt contractor.