If you’re exploring durable, budget-friendly surface materials for your property, asphalt millings are among the most versatile options available, especially in coastal regions like the Florida Keys.
Asphalt milling is the process of removing the top layer of an existing roadway. This technique, also known as asphalt grinding, allows contractors to recycle deteriorated pavement instead of discarding it. The result is a reusable material called asphalt millings: a crushed aggregate that still contains the asphalt binder from the original pavement.
You can repurpose millings by using them as:
Because they repurpose old asphalt, millings are both economical and environmentally friendly — two big benefits for builders in the Keys.
High-quality millings begin with the right equipment. An asphalt milling machine uses a rotating drum equipped with carbide cutters to grind away old pavement at controlled depths. This method produces uniform, consistent material that can be reused across multiple applications.
Not all reclaimed asphalt is the same. There is a major difference between true milling and simple crushing. True milling is a controlled mechanical grinding process that produces clean, consistent material. Simple crushing involves the breaking up of old asphalt without separating contaminants.
Because the Florida Keys have unique environmental needs, including strict drainage requirements and limited aggregate supply, the quality of the milling process matters.
When you’re purchasing millings, look for:
Monroe Concrete’s millings meet these standards, ensuring customers get a dependable recycled product suitable for a wide range of projects.
Asphalt millings often compete with other common materials, such as crusher run, gravel, and crushed concrete. Understanding the differences will help you select the right product for your project.
Crusher run is a blend of crushed stone and stone dust, widely used as a base layer. While both materials create strong, compacted surfaces, they perform differently. A few points of comparison you should know:
If you want a surface that mimics asphalt without the expense of hot-mix, millings are usually the better choice. Crusher run is the better choice for foundation material.
While gravel is widely used for driveways, it doesn’t behave the same as recycled asphalt millings, especially in coastal environments. Here are some key differences to be aware of:
You’ll also find crushed asphalt and crushed concrete available across many Florida Keys projects. Both are recycled materials, but they originate from different sources and behave differently. Here’s what sets them apart from one another:
In many cases, property owners choose asphalt millings for their performance and affordability. To get the most out of this material, it’s important to understand how to properly harden millings.
If you want your millings to harden into a strong, stable surface, the installation process matters just as much as the material itself. Follow these five steps to get the results you’re looking for.
Even if you follow these steps, you may not get the desired result if you make the following application errors. Ensure that you are NOT:
Before choosing asphalt millings for your driveway, parking area, or project base, it helps to understand this material’s strengths and limitations. Like any aggregate, millings perform best when matched to the right application. Here’s a closer look at the key advantages and considerations to keep in mind.
Whether you’re resurfacing a driveway, building a parking area, or preparing a building pad, asphalt millings are a smart, cost-effective choice for many projects in the Florida Keys. Their ability to compact, harden, and withstand heavy coastal rains makes them especially valuable in our region.
Monroe Concrete is the premier supplier of recycled asphalt millings in Monroe County, proudly serving contractors, homeowners, and businesses throughout the islands — including Key West and Marathon. We offer high-quality recycled materials, consistent, clean millings, and easy pick-up at our two convenient locations.
Ready to order? Contact our team for pricing, or visit our website to explore our full inventory of coarse and fine aggregates, screenings, and locally recycled materials. Monroe Concrete is here to support projects throughout the Florida Keys with dependable products and a commitment to quality.
You can source clean, consistent recycled asphalt millings directly from Monroe Concrete, with convenient pick-up locations in Key West and Marathon.
Essentially, milling is about removing layers for major repair or resurfacing, while grinding smooths out fine imperfections for better texture and bonding. Both can generate reusable asphalt “millings” or “grindings.”
Pricing varies based on availability, volume, and hauling distance, but buying locally from Monroe Concrete helps keep transportation costs down.
Rejuvenators are ideal for driveways or surfaces that need additional binding strength, helping millings harden, settle, and resist raveling over time.
Proper grading, placement, moisture control, and compaction are essential for a long-lasting recycled asphalt driveway. Remember, quality millings are the most important factor in longevity and performance.
Binders can improve compaction and long-term durability, especially for driveways or areas that receive frequent traffic, but many installations harden well without them when compacted correctly.