Let us talk about your driveway. You have asphalt, and you know it needs some attention to keep it looking good as well as lasting a long time. This is especially true with our Colorado weather. When you start looking into sealcoating, you will find there are two main choices. These are coal tar emulsion as well as asphalt emulsion. These are not just marketing words. These two sealcoats are different products, and knowing which one is right for your Loveland home can save you trouble as well as money later on.
What is the Deal with These Sealcoats?
Both coal tar and asphalt emulsion sealers are made to protect your pavement from the weather. They come from different places and work differently. Think of it this way: they both do the job, but one might be a better choice for your specific needs here on the Front Range.
Coal Tar Emulsion: The Old Reliable Option
Coal tar sealcoat has been used for a long time. It is a byproduct of processing coal. This sealcoat makes a very solid, hard barrier over your asphalt.
- Durability: This material is known for its good resistance to chemicals like oil and gas spills. It also holds up well against UV rays. Many people say it lasts 3-5 years, and sometimes even longer. This is especially true in busy commercial areas.
- Appearance: When it is new, coal tar gives you that deep, rich, uniform black finish. Many people like this look.
- Cost: Generally, the material cost for coal tar can be a little less per square foot. This sometimes ranges from $0.06 to $0.15.
- Environmental Concerns: This is where it gets complicated. Coal tar has high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These are known to cause cancer and can be bad for aquatic life. Runoff can carry these PAHs into local waterways. The dust from wearing sealcoat can even get into your home. Because of these concerns, some states and cities have banned or limited its use.
Asphalt Emulsion: The Modern, Better for the Environment Option
Asphalt emulsion is made from asphalt cement, water, as well as emulsifiers. It is basically made from the same material as your driveway. This has become a popular choice. This is especially true as people become more aware of environmental issues.
- Durability: Modern asphalt emulsions offer good protection against water, sun, as well as general wear. They are more flexible than coal tar. This means they expand and contract better with the asphalt itself. This can lead to less cracking in some situations. You are typically looking at 2-4 years before you need to put it on again. Sometimes this is 1-3 years depending on conditions.
- Appearance: It dries to a nice, deep black finish. Many homeowners find this very attractive. It is often called a true pitch black.
- Cost: Material costs are often similar to or a little higher than coal tar. This is usually in the $0.08 to $0.15 per square foot range.
- Environmental Benefits: This is a big advantage. Asphalt emulsion is water-based. It has much lower levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as PAHs. This makes it a much safer choice for the environment as well as your family. It does not release harmful fumes or toxins during application.
What About Loveland, CO Conditions?
Here in Loveland, our asphalt takes a beating. We have strong UV exposure because of our high altitude. This dries out the asphalt and makes it brittle. In addition, we have those hard freeze-thaw cycles all winter long. Water gets into small cracks, freezes, expands, and turns those small cracks into big problems. A good sealcoat acts like sunscreen as well as a waterproof jacket for your driveway. This protects it from both the sun as well as the cold.
Because of these factors, we usually recommend regular sealcoating every 2-4 years for driveways around here. For example, a driveway facing south in the Mariana Butte neighborhood will get hit by the sun more than a shaded one. This might mean it needs sealing more often.
My Recommendation for Loveland Homeowners
Our team at Loveland Paving Co has seen many driveways over the years. Coal tar has its historical advantages, especially for commercial lots with a lot of chemical exposure. For most homeowners in Loveland, we strongly recommend **asphalt emulsion sealcoating.**
Why do we recommend this? It comes down to a few important things:
- Flexibility for Freeze-Thaw: Asphalt emulsion can expand and contract with your existing asphalt. This is a big benefit in our climate. That flexibility helps prevent the cracking that those freeze-thaw cycles can cause.
- Environmental Safety: You do not want bad chemicals getting into your soil or storm drains. This is especially true if you have kids or pets around. Asphalt emulsion is simply the safer, greener choice.
- Good Appearance: You still get that beautiful, rich black finish. This makes your driveway look brand new.
Coal tar might offer a little more resistance to oil spills. For a residential driveway, the benefits of asphalt emulsion are greater. This is especially true for its environmental profile as well as its flexibility in our climate. You will still get great protection against UV rays as well as water. These are the main things that cause problems for asphalt in Colorado.
The goal is to protect your investment as well as keep your property looking good. For most Loveland homes, asphalt emulsion is the smart, responsible choice. This will give you a solid, attractive driveway for many years to come.