FAQ’s

Where do we buy our Aggregates and Hot Mix Asphalt?

JLS Paving uses the finest and highest quality materials available in Connecticut. We buy from local plants in your community insuring prompt delivery and supporting local and Connecticut businesses. Our primary suppliers are Tilcon, Suzio and Valley Sand & Gravel. With more than 25 plants to choose from, you can always be assured of locally available materials for your job.
What is Asphalt?
Hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavement refers to the bound layers of a flexible pavement structure. Asphalt pavement material is a precisely engineered product composed of about 95 percent stone, sand, and gravel by weight, and about 5 percent asphalt cement, a petroleum product.  Asphalt cement acts as the glue to hold the pavement together. Our HMA is mixed at our asphalt production facilities located throughout northern New England.

Placed and compacted at elevated temperatures, hot mix asphalt pavements are typically applied in multiple layers, with the lower layers acting to support the top layer, known as the surface or friction course. The aggregates in the lower layers are chosen to prevent rutting and failure, while the aggregates in the surface course are chosen for their friction properties and durability. When designing a HMA pavement the aggregate used must be strong and durable, and have a good angular shape to help resist rutting. The fine aggregate (mineral filler) is used to fill in the voids between the coarse particles, which increases the density of the asphalt concrete and provides load transfer between the larger particles. The asphalt binder is typically 5-6% of the mixture, and serves to bind the aggregates together. Asphalt binder is a petroleum derivative, though additional materials are often added to modify the properties of the binder.
What are the Benefits of an Asphalt Driveway?
Asphalt paved driveways are extremely popular and the most cost-effective to install over most other driveway options. They increase the value of your home, eliminate the mud, ruts and dust that go with gravel or dirt driveways, keep dirt and debris outside (protecting your carpets and floor surfaces) and provide excellent play surfaces for kids and outdoor recreation. Unlike concrete, an asphalt paved driveway is both strong and flexible and is ideal for colder temperature zones where constant freezing and thawing occur. Asphalt allows for easy snow removal and is resistant to cracking from frost heaves.

A durable and cost-effective solution, asphalt driveway installation involves excavating and grading the desired site for proper drainage and to provide a suitable base course. A hot bituminous asphalt mixture is applied on top, compacted in place and cooled to finish. An asphalt driveway should last for many years with only minor maintenance.

Pros of Asphalt Paving:
  • Less prone to frost heaves than concrete
  • Ease of snow removal
  • Unlike concrete, can be re-layered
  • Cheaper than concrete
What are Aggregates?
Construction aggregates are locally mined materials used in construction, including stone dust, sand, gravel, crushed stone, and recycled concrete. Due to the relatively high hydraulic conductivity value as compared to most soils, aggregates are widely used in drainage applications for foundations and french drains, septic drain fields, retaining wall drains, and road side edge drains. Aggregates are also used as base material under foundations, roads, and railroads. Aggregates are used widely for landscaping.

JLS Paving uses aggregates in stand alone applications and as a component of composite materials such as concrete and asphalt pavements. We use aggregates that are produced to meet specifications for the manufacture of hot mix asphalt pavement and concrete. These products include specific types of coarse and fine aggregate designed for such uses as additives to asphalt and concrete mixes.
How Much Do I Need?
 You can use this Asphalt Calculator to get a quick estimate of the materials you will need:
JLS Paving also recommends the following Contracting/Services:
Nicolock Paving Stones: www.nicolock.com

New Haven Masonry & Building Supply Inc: www.newhavenmasonrysupplies.com

Connecticut Stone: www.connecticutstone.com

Tilcon of Connecticut: www.tilconct.com

Suzio York Hill: www.suzioyorkhill.com 
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