For the most part, the majority of driveways and parking lots are made of the same materials, which is to say that they’re largely surfaced with asphalt pavement. This is because asphalt is relatively long-lasting, and produces a smooth surface for people to drive on. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s going to last forever, and the fact is that parking lots and driveways take a lot of damage. It’s important to consult with residential and commercial asphalt paving services if you’re putting down a new driveway — if the pavement is not laid or sealed properly in the first place, your driveway or parking lot will not last as long as it should. A smoother pavement can actually result in a longer pavement life by as much as 10% to 25%. What you’ll see as a result is that you’ll end up spending less on maintenance costs as well. While you don’t need to automatically repave or replace a parking lot or driveway if it seems to be doing well, you should be prepared to do so on a fairly regular basis, just to make sure that it doesn’t fall apart early. A great way to ensure that your driveway or parking lot lasts longer is to have it sealed. Most commercial asphalt paving services offer sealing services, and in general, an asphalt driveway should be sealed every two years. Sealed pavement is far less likely to deteriorate early, and having pavement sealed sets you on a regular maintenance schedule, of sorts.