What is the difference between sealcoating, resurfacing, and repaving?

Sealcoating is a preventative measure to protect your driveway and should be applied at least 90 days to one year after the asphalt is laid and should be redone every 3 years as it wears.  If done more frequently, the built up layers of sealer can chip and crack and leave your driveway less protected.

Driveway resurfacing is needed when there are signs of serious wear or failure in the asphalt like cracking or small holes.  Resurfacing is done by removing the top layer of asphalt, patching any flaws in the layer beneath, and then paving a new top layer.  As you can see, the cost of asphalt will still be part of the project, but in a much lesser amount than repaving.  Patching is an alternative to resurfacing, but it will not always be as cost effective depending on the damage and it is far less visually appealing and fails at restoring much of the structural integrity as resurfacing would.

Repaving asphalt is necessary when there are large cracks wider than about a quarter inch, if there are large potholes, or the structural integrity has been significantly compromised.  The cost to repave a driveway is, as one would expect, the most expensive repair effort, but can be postponed by regular maintenance like sealcoating or resurfacing while still possible.  If by chance you are looking into repaving a parking lot, it is a good idea to also take advantage of your parking lot design and make the flow of traffic as efficient and natural as possible.  Also stop by our line striping page for contractors who can paint the lines back on after the repaving.