Your driveway takes a beating. Thirty to fifty freeze-thaw cycles every winter. Summer heat that cracks inferior asphalt. Water that seeps into poor installations and destroys everything from underneath.
You get a surface that handles whatever Pennsylvania throws at it. No premature cracking. No water damage. No expensive do-overs in three years because someone cut corners the first time.
That’s what proper paving installation looks like when you work with contractors who understand this climate and refuse to compromise on quality.
We combine decades of family experience with modern paving expertise. We’ve been perfecting asphalt solutions since 1948, learning what works in Pennsylvania’s demanding climate and what doesn’t.
Unlike contractors who juggle multiple jobs, we focus on one project at a time. Your driveway gets our complete attention, from initial site evaluation through final cleanup. No rushing to the next job. No cutting corners to stay on schedule.
Our approach is straightforward: treat every client like our most important client, communicate clearly throughout the process, and deliver work that stands the test of time in BrittanyFarms-TheHighlands’ challenging conditions.
First, we evaluate your property’s specific drainage patterns and soil conditions. Pennsylvania’s freeze-thaw cycles make proper water management critical—water that pools beneath asphalt will freeze, expand, and destroy your investment.
Next comes excavation and base preparation. We remove old, damaged materials and grade everything to ensure water flows away from your home. The base gets properly compacted because a weak foundation means premature failure, regardless of asphalt quality.
Then we install the asphalt in appropriate thickness for your specific needs and traffic patterns. Residential driveways require different specifications than commercial parking lots. We use materials designed for Pennsylvania’s temperature extremes and apply them when conditions are optimal for proper bonding and compaction.
Ready to get started?
You get complete paving solutions, from residential driveways to complex commercial projects. We handle water management systems, grading, and surface preparation—not just the final asphalt layer.
Our residential services include new driveway installation, complete reconstructions, and overlay applications where appropriate. For commercial properties, we manage parking lots, access roads, and industrial paving projects that meet municipal specifications.
BrittanyFarms-TheHighlands properties face unique challenges from the area’s terrain and drainage patterns. We customize every installation to address your specific site conditions, ensuring proper water flow and long-term stability. Senior, military, and first-time customer discounts recognize our commitment to the local community we’ve served for decades.
Properly installed asphalt should last 15-20 years in Pennsylvania’s demanding climate when maintained correctly. The key factors are adequate thickness, proper drainage, and quality materials designed for freeze-thaw cycles.
Many homeowners see premature failure in 5-7 years because contractors use techniques appropriate for milder climates. Pennsylvania requires specific installation methods, including proper base preparation and drainage systems that prevent water infiltration. Regular maintenance like sealcoating every 2-3 years can extend your pavement’s life by 25% or more.
An overlay adds new asphalt over existing pavement, while reconstruction removes everything and starts fresh. Overlays cost about 40% less initially but only work when the existing base is sound and drainage is adequate.
Complete reconstruction is necessary when you have base failures, significant cracking, or drainage problems. While more expensive upfront, reconstruction addresses underlying issues that cause premature failure. In Pennsylvania’s climate, trying to save money with an overlay on damaged pavement usually means paying twice—once for the overlay and again for reconstruction when it fails.
Fall is optimal for paving in Pennsylvania. Temperatures are moderate, humidity is lower, and there’s less risk of sudden weather changes that can disrupt installation. Fall installations typically cost less and perform better long-term.
Summer’s extreme heat can cause material problems—when air temperatures exceed 90°F, asphalt temperatures reach 325°F or higher, causing binder oxidation that reduces flexibility. Spring can be unpredictable with sudden rain or temperature drops. Fall provides the stable conditions necessary for proper compaction and curing.
Proper drainage starts with correct grading during installation. Water must flow away from the asphalt surface and cannot be allowed to pool or penetrate the pavement. This requires careful attention to slope and sometimes additional drainage systems.
In Pennsylvania, water infiltration is the leading cause of pavement failure. When water gets beneath asphalt and freezes, it expands with tremendous force, creating cracks and heaving. We install French drains, catch basins, or channel drains when necessary and ensure the asphalt surface itself sheds water effectively through proper crown and slope.
Residential driveways in Pennsylvania typically require 3-4 inches of compacted asphalt for new installations and 2.5-3 inches for overlays over sound existing pavement. The exact thickness depends on your soil conditions, expected traffic, and existing base quality.
Thicker isn’t always better if the base isn’t properly prepared. A 4-inch installation over a weak base will fail faster than 3 inches over properly compacted, well-drained foundation material. Commercial applications require different specifications based on expected load weights and traffic patterns.
Quality paving typically costs 15-25% more upfront than low-bid alternatives, but saves thousands in long-term repairs and replacements. Cheap paving often fails within 3-5 years in Pennsylvania’s climate, requiring complete reconstruction.
The real cost comparison includes the total ownership expense over 15-20 years. Quality installation with proper materials, adequate thickness, and correct drainage typically saves $5,000-8,000 compared to having to repave multiple times. Factor in the inconvenience, property damage from failed pavement, and lost curb appeal, and quality installation becomes the clear financial choice.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Brittanyfarms-Thehighlands
