Concrete vs Asphalt Driveways: A Comparison
Concrete and asphalt are the two most frequently used materials for paving driveways and pathways. Although despite their regular appearance, they both offer a greater variety of finishes than many people realise. An asphalt drive doesn’t necessarily always have to be black and, similarly, a concrete drive doesn’t have to be off white or grey. Both concrete and asphalt surfaces can be coloured and tinted in a range of colors. To find our what your options are, you should get in touch with your paving contractor and see what sort of color options they can offer you for your path or driveway.
Both materials are able to be customized, to make their appearances more appealing to each individual, but both concrete and asphalt have their own unchangeable qualities that set them apart also. In this article I will briefly outline some of the pros and cons of both materials when using them for building a driveway:
The Pros and Cons of Concrete Driveways
If you live in a cold climate and are considering a concrete driveway you need to make sure that the foundation for the driveway is heavily laid with gravel, and that it is well compacted first. If not. the driveway will run the risk of cracking due to frost in cold weather. Another typical problem for concrete is salt in cold climates is salt: concrete is susceptible to salt damage, a material frequently used on roads and pathways when snow or ice are expected.
Thought must also be given to the slope of a driveway, when considering building a concrete driveway. If there is an incline in the surface that a driveway is to be built upon, there is a danger that the concrete could shear off the foundation it was poured on, over time, causing cracks and a loss of stability in portions of the drive.
Asphalt Driveways: What’s Good and Bad
Typically, asphalt paved driveways are cheaper to install than concrete paved driveways. However, asphalt paved driveways will require significant more care over time to protect them. An asphalt driveway need to be sealed at least once every 3 to 5 years. Each sealing, although easily enough completed by a do it yourself homeowner, costs time and money. In addition, the sealer will typically require 2 to 3 days to dry before you can park a vehicle on it again.
On the other hand, if you live in a warm or hot climate and are considering asphalt paving, then you need to consider the fact that asphalt will become soft in the hot sun and is therefore susceptible to ruts. Asphalt cracks are easier to repair than concrete driveway cracks, but are no less unsightly or inconvenient to repair.
At this point it might be worth pointing out that a newly laid asphalt driveway shouldn’t receive any additional sealant for at least 6 to 9 months after it is finished, because the oils that are mixed with the asphalt must properly evaporate first. If asphalt is sealed too early in its lifetime, the oils will not release correctly and the surface will never fully harden, making it susceptible to damage.
Asphalt vs Concrete: in Conclusion
If properly maintained, an asphalt driveway can typically last from 25 to 30 years. Concrete driveways can last even longer than that. However, both surfaces require a solid foundation to be laid upon to reach their life expectancy. If either material is not laid on a solid foundation, then both are susceptible to cracking over time, especially in cold weather climates.
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