What Is Tensar GlasPave® 50? The Hidden Strength Behind Long-Lasting Asphalt

What Is Tensar GlasPave® 50? The Hidden Strength Behind Long-Lasting Asphalt

When it comes to asphalt pavement rehabilitation, longevity and performance depend on how well cracks and surface stresses are managed beneath the surface. One of the most effective and proven technologies available today for reinforcing asphalt overlays is Tensar GlasPave® 50 — an advanced fiberglass paving mat that delivers exceptional durability, flexibility, and resistance to cracking.

At Murphy Paving, we use Tensar GlasPave® 50 to give our clients longer-lasting, smoother, and more cost-effective pavement surfaces. Here’s what makes this product stand out.

Tensar GlasPave® 50 is an engineered fiberglass paving mat made from high-tensile fiberglass strands embedded in a nonwoven polyester matrix. This grid-like mat is installed between the existing asphalt surface and a new overlay during pavement rehabilitation or resurfacing projects.

The GlasPave mat is saturated with a polymer-modified asphalt binder (typically PG 76) and embedded into the pavement using pneumatic rollers while the asphalt is still hot. Once it cools and hardens, it forms a reinforcing interlayer that helps distribute loads, resist reflective cracking, and waterproof the subbase.

How It Works

Cracks and stresses from underlying pavement layers naturally propagate upward through new overlays — a phenomenon called reflective cracking. Tensar GlasPave® 50 acts as a stress-relief interlayer that absorbs and redistributes this energy, preventing cracks from traveling to the surface.

By bonding tightly with the surrounding asphalt, it creates a strong, flexible composite layer that:

  • Reinforces the structure of the pavement,
  • Prevents water infiltration,
  • Extends the service life of the overlay, and
  • Reduces long-term maintenance costs.

Key Benefits of Tensar GlasPave® 50

  1. Superior Crack Resistance

The fiberglass matrix has a tensile strength of 576 pounds per inch in both directions. This provides excellent resistance to cracking caused by thermal expansion, traffic loads, and subbase movement.

  1. Waterproofing Protection

When properly installed with a polymer-modified asphalt binder, Glaspave® creates a continuous waterproof barrier that keeps moisture out of the pavement structure — protecting the base and subgrade from weakening and rutting.

  1. Extended Pavement Life

Pavements reinforced with Tensar GlasPave® 50 typically last 30–50% longer than those using standard overlay techniques. This means fewer repairs, fewer closures, and a better return on investment over the long term.

  1. Cost-Effective Alternative to Deep Repairs

Because GlasPave® 50 strengthens the pavement structure without the need for deep excavation or full-depth reconstruction, it offers a fraction of the cost of more invasive repair methods — while delivering equal or greater performance.

  1. Proven Performance

GlasPave® technology has been used successfully across the U.S. in highways, airports, church and school parking lots, and municipal roads. Contractors like Murphy Paving have seen outstanding results in both structural performance and appearance decades after installation.

Why Murphy Paving Chooses Tensar GlasPave® 50

At Murphy Paving LLC, we believe in using premium materials and proven technologies to deliver the best possible value to our clients. Tensar GlasPave® 50 allows us to:

  • Strengthen and extend pavement life
  • Provide smoother, longer-lasting surfaces
  • Reduce future maintenance costs
  • Deliver a clean, professional finish that looks great and performs even better.

Whether we’re rehabilitating a large commercial lot, industrial facilities or a restoring a church parking area, Tensar GlasPave® 50 helps us achieve durable, high-quality results that stand the test of time.

Safety First: How Murphy Paving Protects People, Businesses, and Our Community

Safety First: How Murphy Paving Protects People, Businesses, and Our Community

At Murphy Paving, safety isn’t just a requirement—it’s a core value that guides every project we take on. Whether we’re paving commercial parking lots, industrial facilities, or residential developments, our team understands that quality craftsmanship begins with a commitment to a safe work environment.

From the moment we begin a project, we prioritize one principle: every crew member goes home safe, every day.

Our Commitment to OSHA Standards

Murphy Paving follows all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) safety requirements for construction and paving operations. OSHA standards are designed to eliminate workplace hazards, prevent accidents, and protect workers at every level of a project. These guidelines form the backbone of our safety program.

Key OSHA protocols we follow include:

  • Proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Hard hats, high-visibility vests, gloves, eye protection, steel-toe boots, and hearing protection.

  • Job Safety Analysis (JSA): Every job begins with a hazard assessment to identify risks and define safe work procedures.

  • Equipment Training & Certification: Crew members operating machinery—such as rollers, pavers, skid steers, and trucks—are trained and certified according to OSHA standards and manufacturer guidelines.

  • Site Control & Safe Access: Marking off work zones, directing on-site traffic, and ensuring safe pathways for clients, employees, and subcontractors.

  • Heat Illness Prevention: Hydration protocols, shade breaks, and temperature monitoring—especially critical in Texas climates.

  • Fall Protection: Safe ladder use, edge awareness, and protection measures for elevated areas.

  • Hazard Communication: Proper labeling, SDS documentation, and employee training for chemicals such as asphalt materials, sealants, and fuels.

By following these standards, we maintain organized, efficient, and OSHA-compliant job sites across all projects.

Ongoing Training That Makes a Difference

Safety isn’t a one-time requirement—it’s an ongoing commitment. That’s why Murphy Paving provides:

  • Weekly safety toolbox talks

  • Monthly OSHA refresher sessions

  • Annual safety certifications

  • Daily pre-task safety meetings

This continuous training ensures that every team member remains informed, prepared, and confident in recognizing and managing potential hazards.

Proactive Jobsite Supervision

Every Murphy Paving project includes oversight from trained supervisors who:

  • Conduct daily safety inspections

  • Ensure all employees are using PPE correctly – when required

  • Review equipment condition and safe operation

  • Identify risks early and address them immediately

  • Maintain clear communication with property managers and contractors

Our proactive approach reduces delays, minimizes risks, and keeps every job running safely and efficiently.

A Safety Culture That Starts With People

Safety is everyone’s responsibility at Murphy Paving. We encourage every employee to speak up if they notice a hazard or concern. By creating an environment of awareness, respect, and accountability, we protect our crew, our clients, and everyone on site.

Why Safety Matters

Working safely results in:

  • Fewer disruptions

  • Smoother project timelines

  • Better quality work

  • Lower risk for property owners

  • Greater client confidence

When you choose Murphy Paving, you’re choosing a partner that values both craftsmanship and care.

Murphy Paving: Built on Quality, Backed by Safety

Every project we complete reflects our commitment to excellence and our responsibility to keep our team and clients safe. Safety is the foundation of our work—and it shows in every job we deliver.