Types of Asphalt Explained

Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates (such as crushed rock, sand or gravel) bound together with bitumen to create a strong, flexible surfacing material. It is widely used on roads, car parks, paths, playgrounds and many other hard‑standing areas.

Modern UK asphalt is made with bitumen rather than coal tar, and can be planed off and recycled at the end of its life.

Main Mixture Families We Can Supply

Asphalt Concrete (AC)
Continuously graded aggregates bound with bitumen, giving a dense, interlocking structure suitable for a wide range of base, binder and surface course applications.

Hot Rolled Asphalt (HRA)
A dense mixture with a high proportion of finer material and binder, often used with pre‑coated chippings to provide texture and skid resistance on heavily trafficked roads.

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA)
A gap‑graded mix with a coarse stone “skeleton” and high binder content, designed to offer durability and a textured surface, commonly used on main roads and high‑stress areas.

We can help contractors choose the right type for their particular scheme, depending on traffic levels, site conditions and budget.