What Are the Differences Between Asphalt Overlay and Asphalt Sealcoat?

Differences Between Asphalt Overlay & Sealcoat Grand Rapids

Unlike an asphalt overlay, sealcoating is a preventive measure. An asphalt sealcoat acts like a fresh coat of paint. It protects your asphalt from UV rays, precipitation, and automobile fluids. An asphalt overlay is a fresh layer of asphalt used to patch over pavement that has cracked or potholed.

Here's what you need to know about the differences between an overlay and sealcoat.

Asphalt Overlay

Think of an asphalt overlay as a patch. It's possible to pave over small cracks and potholes with an asphalt overlay. But an overlay isn't a permanent solution. Any underlying cracks and potholes will show up in the new surface within a year or two.

For the best results, hire A-1 Asphalt to repair asphalt potholes and cracks. An asphalt overlay on concrete is possible too, but we don’t recommend it. That's because it won’t solve the structural problems happening beneath the surface. This means more cracks and issues could arise within a few months.

When it’s time to replace your concrete driveway with asphalt, talk with us to ensure it gets done right.

Asphalt Sealcoat

Asphalt sealcoating will give your pavement a rich black color, so it looks new. In general, we recommend sealcoating your driveway or parking lot within 1 to 3 years of installation.

If more than three years have passed, you'll most likely need to schedule repairs first. This is because you can't use sealant to fill cracks and potholes. Sealcoating is a preventive measure only.

As an asphalt contractor, we know how to handle the sealcoating process. We also have all the necessary asphalt sealcoating tools to get the job done right. Nothing's worse than realizing you wasted time and money on DIY sealcoating that won't last. That's why we recommend that you hire an asphalt contractor like A-1 Asphalt.

Should I Get an Asphalt Overlay or an Asphalt Sealcoat?

Sealcoating is the best defense against UV rays, precipitation, and automobile fluids. If you've recently finished repairs, invest in sealcoating. Unlike an overlay, asphalt sealant is a preventive measure.

Asphalt overlays are best used as temporary fixes to cracks and potholes. If your parking lot or driveway is near the end of its natural lifespan, an overlay may buy you another one to two years. Overlays are best if you have surface damage but aren't quite ready for a full replacement.

Request a Free Estimate from A-1 Asphalt Inc.

Are you noticing signs of pavement distress? If so, you’ll need to call an asphalt repair contractor as soon as possible. The longer you wait to repair asphalt cracks and potholes, the more you’ll have to pay in repairs.

A-1 Asphalt Inc. is an asphalt paving company in Wayland, Michigan, that's proud to serve Greater Grand Rapids. To request a free estimate, please call A-1 Asphalt Inc. at (800) 871-4401. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon. We’d be more than happy to help you get started with your next asphalt paving project.

This blog post has been updated.