High-traffic surfacing
Hot mix asphalt across South East Queensland
Hot mix asphalt is the go-to surface when a job has to take real traffic. Steep drives, access roads, hardstands and commercial paving all rely on it because, laid and rolled properly, it is dense, strong and built to keep going.
What hot mix asphalt is
Hot mix asphalt is stone aggregate coated with bitumen binder and mixed at high temperature, then delivered hot, spread and rolled before it cools. Getting it down and compacted while it is still workable is what gives it its density. That density is the whole point: a well-compacted hot mix surface locks out water, carries load without rutting, and wears evenly for years.
It is the same product behind an asphalt driveway, just talked about as a material here rather than a finished job. Because it is mixed to a spec, we can dial the aggregate size and mix to suit the surface, from a fine, tidy finish on a home driveway to a heavier-duty mix for a yard that sees trucks.
Where hot mix earns its keep
- Driveways and access roads that carry constant or heavy traffic.
- Hardstands, loading areas and yards where machinery and trucks work.
- Commercial paving that needs a smooth, safe, long-lasting surface.
- Overlays that give a tired existing surface a fresh, sealed top layer.
Our process
How we lay hot mix asphalt
Assess
We check the site, the traffic it will carry and the drainage, then quote the right mix and thickness in writing.
Prepare
We bring the base to level, compact it hard and set the fall so water runs off rather than sitting on the surface.
Lay hot
We spread the hot mix and roll it while it is still hot, because compaction is where the strength and the lifespan come from.
Finish
We cut clean edges, clear the site and tell you how long to stay off it while it cures.
Getting the temperature right matters
Hot mix has a working window. Laid too cool, or rolled too late, and it will not compact to full density, which is where early failures start. That is why timing, delivery and having the crew and rollers ready to go all matter on the day. It is not glamorous, but it is the difference between a surface that lasts and one that does not.
Where we lay hot mix asphalt
We lay hot mix asphalt for homes, businesses and civil sites across South East Queensland, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Toowoomba. Bigger jobs and awkward sites are welcome. Tell us what you are surfacing and we will work out the right mix for it.
On the job
Compaction is everything
Hot mix is only as good as its compaction. We roll it while it is hot so the stone locks tight and the surface sheds water instead of soaking it up.
Common questions
Hot mix asphalt questions, answered
What is the difference between hot mix asphalt and a bitumen spray seal?
Hot mix is a pre-mixed, rolled product that gives a smooth, dense finish. A bitumen spray seal is hot bitumen sprayed onto the base and covered with loose stone that is rolled in. Hot mix is smoother and tougher for high-traffic areas and up close to the house; a spray seal is the value pick over larger rural areas.
How thick should hot mix asphalt be?
It depends on what the surface has to carry. A home driveway needs less than a yard that sees trucks and machinery all day. We spec the thickness and the mix to the load and the ground, which is exactly why we look at the site before we quote rather than guess.
Can you lay hot mix over my existing surface?
Often, yes. If the base and the old surface are still sound, an overlay is a tidy way to get a fresh, sealed top. If the base has failed underneath, an overlay just delays the problem, so we check first and tell you straight which one the job needs.
How long before I can use a new hot mix surface?
Usually trafficable within a day for light use. It keeps hardening for weeks, so keep heavy loads off it for the first few weeks. We will give you the exact timing for your job before we leave the site.
Does hot mix asphalt cope with the Queensland heat?
Yes, when it is laid and compacted properly. On very hot days the surface can soften a little, so it pays to avoid stationary point loads like jack stands and trailer legs on the hottest afternoons; a board under them spreads the load. Good drainage and the right mix do the rest.
How much does hot mix asphalt cost?
It depends on the area, the mix, the thickness and access for our machinery, so there is no honest single figure we could list. We come out, work out the right mix for the job and put a fixed price in writing for free.