Screened Asphalt Millings in Wrentham, MA

Screened asphalt millings give you a driveway surface somewhere between gravel and pavement. The recycled asphalt packs down hard, stays dark and sheds dust. As a result, many people choose millings for long driveways where paving would cost too much.

What are asphalt millings?

When roads are resurfaced, the old asphalt is ground up rather than thrown away. That ground material is called millings. We screen it so the pieces are a consistent size, which makes it easier to spread and compact.

The pieces still contain asphalt binder. So when they are compacted, especially on a warm day, they knit together into a firm surface. In fact, a well-rolled millings driveway looks a lot like old pavement from a distance.

Millings are also a recycled product. In other words, you are reusing material that would otherwise need to be hauled away, which is a nice bonus.

Where asphalt millings work well

Millings are a practical surface for areas that see vehicles:

• Long residential driveways
• Parking areas and turnarounds
• Farm lanes and access roads
• Equipment and trailer storage yards
• Base under a future paved driveway
• Pull-offs and shoulders along a drive

How much asphalt millings do I need?

First, measure the length and width of the area in feet and multiply them to get square feet. Then multiply by the depth in inches and divide by 324. The answer is cubic yards, which is how the yard sells asphalt millings. Plan on 3 to 4 inches of asphalt millings, compacted, over a firm base. Soft or wet ground, on the other hand, may need more base first.

For example, a 20 by 25 foot area is 500 square feet. At 3 inches deep, that works out to about 4.5 yards. In practice, we suggest rounding up by half a yard, because edges, low spots and settling always take a little extra. Still, if the math feels off, call (774) 372-1050 and we will work it out with you before the truck is loaded.

Delivery or pickup at the yard

There are two ways to get this material from us. First, we can deliver it. Our trucks drop residential and commercial loads across Wrentham, Norfolk, Franklin, Foxborough, Plainville, Medway and Bellingham. Tell us exactly where you want the pile, and the driver will place it as close to that spot as the ground safely allows.

Second, you can pick it up yourself. Bring a pickup truck, dump truck or trailer to 26 Industrial Rd in Wrentham during yard hours, and we will load you from the bays with the loader. As a rule of thumb, a full-size pickup carries about about 1 yard safely. So check your payload rating before you come, and bring a tarp for the ride home.

Getting ready for a delivery

1. Pick the spot. Choose a flat, open place close to where you will spread the material. A driveway apron or the edge of the lawn works well.
2. Check the clearance. Our trucks need room overhead and a firm surface. So look up for wires and branches, and keep the drop zone clear of cars.
3. Protect the surface. If the pile goes on pavement, lay down a tarp or plywood first. As a result, cleanup takes minutes instead of an afternoon.
4. Tell us about access. Mention gates, soft ground, septic covers or tight turns when you order. Then the driver can plan the approach before arriving.
5. Plan the spread. Finally, line up a wheelbarrow, rake and a helper. Most people spread a few yards in a morning.

How to lay an asphalt millings driveway

1. Prep the base. Remove sod and soft soil, then grade the drive so water runs to the sides.
2. Spread evenly. Spread the millings about 2 inches at a time. Next, rake out any piles and fill low spots.
3. Compact well. Roll or plate-compact each layer. In fact, compaction is what turns loose millings into a hard surface.
4. Use the heat. Warm, sunny days help the binder soften and bond. So summer is the best time to install.
5. Maintain it. Finally, fill potholes with fresh millings and tamp them in whenever they appear.

Millings do best with traffic. Tires keep pressing the surface together, so a driveway often gets firmer during its first summer. However, avoid sharp turns with the wheels while parked in the first few weeks, because a fresh surface can scuff.

Some people also use millings as a base layer under a future paved driveway. The compacted layer gives a solid, well-drained foundation, and then the paving goes on top when the budget allows. That way, you get a usable driveway right away and a smooth upgrade later.

Dust is another reason people like millings. A gravel drive can throw dust across the yard on a dry August day, whereas compacted millings stay put. In addition, the dark surface hides oil drips and tire marks. So for a working driveway with trucks, trailers and equipment, millings are a very practical surface that still looks tidy from the road.

Choosing the right base material

Base materials do quiet but important work. They level a surface, carry weight and move water away. So the right choice depends on what sits on top and how much traffic it gets.

For example, a walkway needs a smooth, even bed, whereas a driveway needs a surface that packs hard under a car. Meanwhile, drainage work needs open gaps so water can move. If you describe the job when you call, we will match the material to it rather than guessing.

Compaction makes the difference

Nearly every base material performs better when it is compacted in layers. In practice, that means spreading a couple of inches, packing it with a plate compactor or roller, and then repeating. As a result, the finished surface stays flat instead of settling into ruts and dips after the first rain.

Storing leftover material

Extra base material stores easily in a tidy pile. However, keep it covered if it is fine, because rain can wash the fines out and wind can carry them off. Meanwhile, a little reserve is useful for leveling a shed pad, patching a path or filling holes after winter. In other words, a small leftover pile rarely goes to waste.

Contractor and commercial orders

Landscapers, builders, excavation crews and property managers buy from the yard every week. For that reason, we keep the loader running early, so contractor trucks can load and get to the job before the day heats up. In addition, we can stage repeat deliveries to a site when a project runs over several days.

If you manage condos, office parks or HOA grounds, ask about planning spring and fall deliveries in advance. That way, the material lands when your crew is ready, instead of sitting in a parking lot. Likewise, excavation contractors can combine stone, sand and loam on one schedule, which keeps a site moving.

What to tell us when you order

A quick call goes faster when you have a few details ready. That way, we can quote the load and book the truck in one conversation.

• First, the material and how many yards you need
• Next, the delivery address and town
• Also, where the pile should go and any tight access
• Then, the best day and a backup day for delivery
• Finally, a phone number the driver can call on the way

Why buy asphalt millings from Ten Four Landscape Supply

Ten Four Landscape Supply is a local bulk-materials yard owned by Seth Dias. In other words, you are buying from the same people who load the truck, not from a call center. We sell every material by the yard, so you pay for what you need rather than for bags and plastic.

• Sold by the yard, loaded or delivered from 26 Industrial Rd, Wrentham
• Residential and commercial orders, from a single yard to full truckloads
• Straight answers on how much to order, so you do not buy twice
• Delivery across seven nearby towns, plus pickup during yard hours
• Other bulk materials on site, so one trip can cover a whole project

Also, because the yard handles mulch, stone, loam, compost and sand in one place, contractors can mix a load plan for a job in one call. Homeowners, meanwhile, get the same material the pros use, measured the same way.

Where we deliver asphalt millings

We deliver asphalt millings to homes, contractors and property managers in Wrentham, Norfolk, Franklin, Foxborough, Plainville, Medway and Bellingham, Massachusetts. Long, rural driveways in Norfolk, Wrentham and Plainville are a natural fit for asphalt millings. Not sure your street is in range? Check the towns we serve, or just call and ask.

• Wrentham, MA
• Norfolk, MA
• Franklin, MA
• Foxborough, MA
• Plainville, MA
• Medway, MA
• Bellingham, MA

Pairs well with

Driveway projects often use several materials. For example, three-quarter bluestone makes a drainage base, while three-eighths bluestone can edge the sides of the drive.

¾″ BluestoneCrushed bluestone for driveways, drainage and base layers.⅜″ BluestoneFine crushed bluestone for paver base, walkways and pipe bedding.SandClean sand for leveling, bedding, backfill and mixing.

Asphalt millings FAQs

Have a question that is not listed here? For more background on soils, mulching and plant care in our region, the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program publishes practical fact sheets. Otherwise, call the yard at (774) 372-1050 and we will help you choose.