The difference between pavement that lasts and pavement that fails early almost always comes down to who installs it. Professional asphalt and concrete paving services are not about pouring material and walking away. They are about preparation, precision, and accountability over decades, not seasons. Companies like Sommerset Paving, a trusted Ann Arbor paving contractor, have built their reputation in Michigan by doing the unglamorous work correctly—grading, compacting, draining, and finishing—so driveways, parking lots, and municipal surfaces hold up under real use.
I’ve seen what happens when corners are cut. Cracks appear within a year. Drainage fails. Repairs stack up fast. The right paving partner prevents all of that before the first truck arrives.
This breaks down what professional paving actually involves, where asphalt and concrete each make sense, and how to choose a contractor that delivers long-term value instead of short-term fixes.
Why Professional Paving Is About Systems, Not Surfaces
Pavement is a system.
Not a slab.
Not a layer.
Every successful paving project relies on how multiple components work together under stress, weather, and time. That’s why professional asphalt and concrete paving services start well before materials are delivered.
Key system components include:
- Subgrade preparation and soil stability
- Base thickness and compaction
- Drainage planning
- Material selection based on use case
- Correct installation temperatures and curing times
When any one of these steps is rushed or skipped, failure is almost guaranteed. It may take months. Sometimes years. But it will happen.
This is where experienced Michigan contractors stand apart. Freeze–thaw cycles, snow loads, salt exposure, and heavy vehicles demand more than generic paving methods.
Asphalt vs. Concrete: Choosing the Right Material for the Job
Both materials are essential in modern paving.
They are not interchangeable.
Professional contractors help clients choose based on performance, not preference.
Asphalt Paving: Flexible, Cost-Efficient, Repair-Friendly
Asphalt excels where flexibility matters.
Common uses include:
- Residential driveways
- Commercial parking lots
- Roadways and access lanes
- Multi-phase developments
Benefits of asphalt include:
- Lower upfront cost
- Faster installation
- Easier repairs and resurfacing
- Better performance in freeze–thaw climates
When installed by professional asphalt and concrete paving services, asphalt surfaces can last 20–30 years with proper maintenance.
Concrete Paving: Strength, Stability, and Precision
Concrete shines where rigidity and longevity are critical.
Typical applications include:
- Municipal sidewalks
- Industrial pads
- Loading docks
- Curbs and gutters
- High-traffic intersections
Concrete offers:
- Exceptional compressive strength
- Minimal deformation under load
- Longer lifespan in static environments
- Clean, professional appearance
The trade-off? Higher upfront cost and longer cure times. That’s why concrete should be installed only by crews who understand timing, finishing, and joint placement.
What Sets Professional Asphalt and Concrete Paving Services Apart
Not all paving companies operate at the same level.
Experience shows in the details.
Here’s what separates professional operations from budget crews.
1. Site Evaluation Comes First
Reputable paving contractors do not quote blindly.
They assess:
- Soil conditions
- Existing base failures
- Drainage patterns
- Traffic load expectations
- Local climate factors
Skipping this step leads to mismatched designs and early failure.
2. Proper Base Preparation Is Non-Negotiable
Base work determines lifespan.
Professional crews:
- Excavate to proper depth
- Install engineered aggregate bases
- Compact in controlled lifts
- Test density before paving
No base shortcuts. Ever.
3. Drainage Is Designed, Not Assumed
Water destroys pavement faster than traffic.
Professionals manage:
- Surface slopes
- Subsurface drainage
- Edge containment
- Water redirection
This is especially critical in Michigan climates.
4. Materials Are Matched to Use
Not all asphalt mixes or concrete formulas are the same.
Experienced contractors specify:
- Correct asphalt binder grades
- Reinforced concrete when required
- Joint spacing for thermal movement
- Thickness based on load, not guesswork
That level of specification defines professional asphalt and concrete paving services.
Residential Driveways: Small Surface, Big Impact
Residential paving is often underestimated.
It shouldn’t be.
A driveway must handle:
- Daily vehicle loads
- Snowplows
- De-icing chemicals
- Seasonal temperature swings
Professional residential work includes:
- Correct driveway slope for drainage
- Edge support to prevent cracking
- Smooth transitions to garages and roads
- Thickness suited for modern vehicles
Homeowners searching for residential asphalt paving benefit most when working with contractors who treat small projects with the same rigor as commercial ones.
Commercial Parking Lots: Where Failure Gets Expensive Fast
Parking lots are working infrastructure.
They take abuse every day.
Poor paving leads to:
- Liability risks
- Vehicle damage claims
- Poor first impressions
- Expensive emergency repairs
Professional asphalt and concrete paving services for commercial properties focus on:
- Traffic flow design
- ADA compliance
- Load-bearing zones
- Striping and safety markings
- Phased construction to minimize disruption
Well-built lots last longer and cost less over time. That’s a financial reality, not a marketing line.
Municipal and Public Projects: Accountability Matters
Municipal paving raises the bar.
Public projects demand:
- Engineering coordination
- Compliance with specifications
- Inspection readiness
- On-time delivery
Professional contractors understand that public infrastructure must perform under scrutiny. Sidewalks, roadways, curbs, and access points need precision, not improvisation.
This is where experience truly shows.
Maintenance: The Overlooked Key to Longevity
Even the best pavement needs care.
Professional asphalt and concrete paving services don’t stop at installation. They guide owners on maintenance strategies that extend lifespan and reduce long-term costs.
Asphalt Maintenance Essentials
- Sealcoating every 3–5 years
- Crack sealing before water intrusion
- Periodic resurfacing
- Drainage inspections
Concrete Maintenance Essentials
- Joint sealing
- Surface cleaning
- Prompt crack repair
- Freeze–thaw monitoring
Maintenance is not optional.
It’s part of ownership.
Cost vs. Value: Understanding the Real Numbers
Cheap paving is rarely cheap.
Here’s a simplified comparison:
| Factor | Low-Cost Contractor | Professional Contractor |
| Base prep | Minimal | Engineered |
| Drainage | Ignored | Designed |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years | 20–30+ years |
| Repairs | Frequent | Infrequent |
| Total cost | High over time | Lower long-term |
Professional asphalt and concrete paving services protect budgets by reducing repeat expenses.
How to Choose the Right Paving Partner
Before signing a contract, ask direct questions.
Good contractors welcome them.
Questions That Matter
- How do you prepare the base?
- How do you address drainage?
- What thickness do you recommend and why?
- How do you handle Michigan freeze–thaw cycles?
- What maintenance do you recommend post-installation?
Clear answers signal experience.
Vague ones signal risk.
The Long View: Pavement as Infrastructure
Pavement is not cosmetic.
It’s functional infrastructure.
When designed and installed correctly, it supports safety, access, and property value for decades. That’s why professional asphalt and concrete paving services matter so much.
Companies succeed because they respect that responsibility. They build for weather, traffic, and time. Not shortcuts.
And that difference shows every year that the surface doesn’t fail.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this:
Professional paving is not about the day the job finishes.
It’s about the years that follow.
Choosing professional asphalt and concrete paving services protects your investment, your safety, and your long-term costs. Whether it’s a residential driveway, a commercial lot, or a municipal project, the right contractor changes everything.
And it’s the standard every project deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
They are end-to-end paving solutions that include site evaluation, base preparation, material selection, installation, and long-term performance planning.
With proper design and maintenance, asphalt can last 20–30 years, while concrete can last even longer in the right applications.
Both work well when installed correctly, but asphalt’s flexibility often performs better under Michigan’s freeze–thaw cycles.
A properly prepared base prevents shifting, cracking, and water damage, which are the leading causes of pavement failure.
They design slopes, sub-base layers, and runoff paths to move water away from the pavement before damage occurs.
Concrete is often preferred for sidewalks, curbs, loading docks, and high-load or slow-moving traffic areas.
Asphalt is typically usable within 24–48 hours, while concrete requires several days to cure before full use.
Yes, reputable contractors provide maintenance recommendations to extend surface life and reduce long-term costs.
Experience, proper equipment, transparent processes, climate-specific knowledge, and accountability for long-term results.
They may cost more initially, but they significantly reduce repair, replacement, and liability costs over time.
