Sommerset’s Asphalt Paving Services
You park on a driveway and drive on a parkway. Why? We have no idea. English is weird.
What we do know is asphalt.
As one of the trusted asphalt paving Contractors Ann Arbor MI property owners rely on, Sommerset designs, installs, and maintains pavement that works as hard as the people who drive on it. From busy commercial lots in the city to neighborhood streets and quiet drives, we build asphalt that fits the terrain and the traffic.
Our crews bring years of experience in asphalt paving across Ann Arbor MI and the surrounding communities. Every project is treated as a long-term investment, not a quick patch. Careful grading, compaction testing, and quality materials are standard practice, not upgrades.
Even the best pavement needs more than a pat on the back. Over time, Michigan’s temperature swings, salt, and heavy vehicles begin to wear it down. Yearly maintenance can stretch your asphalt to 20 or even 25 years, but at some point a full replacement is the most responsible choice.
We watch for stress signals: fatigue cracks, potholes, pooling water, and large areas of alligator cracking. Once damage affects more than a third of the surface, your money is better spent on a full removal, regrade, and replacement. That is true for driveways, parking lots, and even road paving in Saline and nearby towns.
If you are not sure what your pavement needs, we are happy to take a look. Contact us for a free inspection and straightforward recommendation.
Sometimes the surface fails and the base is still strong. In those cases, cold plane asphalt milling is often the smartest move. We grind away the top layer of asphalt with a milling machine that uses hardened teeth to remove two inches of material while leaving the foundation intact.
The reclaimed asphalt does not go to waste; we truck it to a local plant for recycling. After that, we apply a tack coat to create a strong bond, then pave a new surface and compact it with vibratory rollers. The result is a smooth finish with restored grade and better drainage.
Milling is kinder to both your budget and the environment. It often adds eight years or more to the life of commercial and municipal pavement in the Ann Arbor area. Get in touch to find out if milling is right for your site.
For our team, a plot of unpaved ground feels like a blank canvas. Every new asphalt project begins with careful planning that respects the environment around it. Water flow matters a great deal: where it starts, where it travels, and how your pavement will guide it away from buildings and foundations.
We evaluate the sub-base, adjust grades, and install an aggregate base that can handle Michigan weather and local soil conditions. Proper compaction helps your pavement resist rutting, cracking, and standing water. This approach guides our work on new asphalt paving in Ann Arbor MI for businesses, municipalities, and homeowners alike.
It is the difference between a surface that looks good in year one and one that still works in year twenty. Request a quote to begin planning your new asphalt construction.
You can install an asphalt driveway in one layer, but at Sommerset we prefer two. A single lift costs less on day one yet often leads to small depressions that collect water. Summer puddles turn into winter ice, and that constant freeze and thaw shortens the life of the driveway.
Our two-layer approach gives the surface more strength and stability. The base course handles structure while the surface course delivers the smooth finish. Homeowners who choose us for driveway paving in Brighton and other nearby communities see the benefits in fewer cracks and a cleaner look for years to come.
Think of it like sunscreen: one quick swipe is better than nothing, but a second coat saves you from a painful burn. Reach out if you are ready for a driveway that is built to last.
Our asphalt paving contractors serve Ann Arbor, Brighton, Saline, and a long list of neighboring communities. You will see our work in subdivision streets, city roads, business lots, school campuses, and family homes. In every setting, we apply the same standards for compaction, drainage, and finish.
Request a free quote or explore our other service pages to see how we approach projects like yours.
Other Services We Offer
We couldn’t call ourselves a legit paving company if we weren’t well-acquainted with the full range of paving materials and processes.
A true paving partner understands more than one material. Alongside our asphalt work, our team handles concrete, repair, and full parking lot projects with the same care and attention to detail. Many commercial and municipal jobs blend asphalt and concrete, and plenty of homeowners prefer a concrete driveway or walk.
No matter the surface or the size of the job, we apply the same exacting standards to grading, compaction, and finish.
In 2021, a contractor completed a large car distribution center in Michigan. Within two years, the parking lot had turned into a patchwork of cracks and potholes. The terrain was flat and swampy, the water table sat close to the surface, and the design did not account for real drainage needs.
To move faster, the contractor extended the paving machine to its limit, which weakened the compaction effort. The screed did not vibrate properly, leaving asphalt with low density and plenty of low spots that invited standing water. As rain soaked in and froze, the surface broke apart.
Eventually the owner called Sommerset for more than another patch. If we had been there from the start, we would have designed a water management plan, used heated vibratory screeds, and checked asphalt temperature with heat guns before compaction, just as we do on every project.
Hindsight helps tell the story. The good news is that our process is repeatable, and we bring it to each new job. Talk with our team if you want asphalt that is built for southeastern Michigan instead of fighting against it.
