Concrete or Asphalt: Which is a Superior Driveway Material?

Are you building a new home or renovating your current one? Concrete and asphalt are excellent paving materials for your driveway. The two materials are similar in several ways. They both have a gravel base, are made from sand and stone.

On the other hand, concrete and asphalt have different adhesive materials. For instance, concrete is built with cement while asphalt with petroleum. These two paving materials have a different impact on the environment.

Therefore, the article will differentiate the two paving materials and recommend the superior.

Installation

These two paving materials take time to cure before you can use the driveway. Asphalt takes a few hours to cure, while concrete takes approximately a week. Thus, it would be best if you considered this factor when installing a concrete driveway in a busy driveway. It’s cheaper, easier to purchase and repair asphalt as compared to concrete pavers. On the other hand, it’s less expensive to maintain concrete driveways in the long run.

Longevity

A concrete driveway is a long-lasting option as compared to asphalt. Thus, with proper maintenance, the cement-based paving material is superior and can last up to 50 years. On the other hand, petroleum-based paving material is less durable and can only last up to 30 years.

Despite its durability, it’s expensive and challenging to maintain concentrate driveways when they get damaged then it is to repair asphalt driveways. Further, asphalt repairs blend well with the original parts than concentrate damages and cracks.

Asphalt pavements become gooey and sticky in hot weather and cracks when the temperatures drop. Thus they can stain your shoes or items when you step on them during high temperatures. The tires of your vehicle can also indent the driveways. Concrete pavements are brittle, and therefore they are likely to crack during cold weather. They get damaged by snowploughs, salt, and other deicing chemicals. Consequently, you have to consider the climate in your area before installing an asphalt driveway or the concrete one.

Additionally, a concrete driveway is likely to show all the marks and spills it comes in contact with it. For that reason, you have to clean and degrease it regularly. These frequent maintenance activities give a concrete driveway a clean and bright look. On the other hand, the asphalt has a dark, textured appearance; thus, it’s able to endure or hide fuel drips, engine oil, and rust throughout the year.

Aesthetic and Design

A driveway should complement your home. Thus you should take into consideration its final appearance because it can affect the aesthetic value of your property. For instance, asphalt is only available in black and grey colours. The material doesn’t take well with etching, stamping, colouring, and tinting. However, it can give you a streamlined appearance similar to the street.

Concrete is a flexible, paving material in terms of design and appearance. For that reason, it’s a superior driveway option. While asphalt gives you a textured look, concrete has a smooth appearance. Concrete takes well with etching, stamping, staining, colouring, and tinting. Thus, you can customize it as you desire to complement your home.

Therefore, homes will decorative concrete driveways and patios have a higher resale value than those of standard asphalt because concrete is flexible and can be customized to what you want.

Maintenance

Asphalt is less durable as compared to concrete; however, the lifespan of this paving material can be extended through maintenance. That means you will be required to reseal every 6 to 12 months after installation. After that, you will be needed to repair it every three years to preserve it in good condition.

Concrete is a superior paving material because it doesn’t need constant sealing; however, doing so will increase its lifespan and improve its appearance. You can adjust the quality and appearance of asphalt by installing it correctly and maintaining it well. These efforts will minimize expensive repairs.

Further, you can repair the small cracks and potholes by yourself to reduce cost but contact Bendigo Paving Contractors for more significant cracks and holes. The same applies to concrete driveways because repairing the small cracks and holes affects the final appearance. Thus, it’s better to carry out a major repair, which is quite expensive but will give your driveway a good look than the small uneven patches.

The Building Materials of Concrete and Asphalt Pavers

The two materials are made of a mixture of stone and sand, thus their gravel base. Their only difference is the adhesive; for instance, asphalt is made of sand, crushed rock, gravel, and tar while concrete has sand, water, aggregates, and cement. The tar that is used in asphalt and water in concrete creates a massive difference in the characteristics of these driveway surfaces.

Cost

It’s cheaper to install an asphalt driveway as compared to a concrete one. It’s said that concrete pavers are 50 % more expensive than the asphalt materials. However, the cost can go up for asphalt driveways due to the type of vehicles that will use the area and the underlying soil. Some driveways may require more thickness than others, but the standard one is four to six inches. On the other hand, a concrete driveway of four inches is appropriate. Any increase in the thickness will increase the cost of installation by nearly 20 %.

Environmentally Friendly

Asphalt is recyclable material; however, the use of petroleum products in sealing and installation makes it’s environmentally unsustainable. That means the paving material can release evaporative oils in the initial installation and during hot temperatures.

Concrete, on the other hand, is both recyclable and has a longer lifespan. However, the material used to make concrete is unsustainable natural resources.

Verdict

Asphalt is a budget-conscious paving material for your driveway and a superior option for areas with fluctuating temperatures. However, it’s expensive in the long run due to regular repairs and maintenance.

On the other hand, concrete driveways will last longer, and the materials have a different texture, colours, and embellishments. However, it may crack during cold weather, and the repaired part may not blend well with other pieces.

Therefore, contact Bendigo Paving Contractors for a quote and suggestions on which material will be appropriate for your driveway. Contact us at 0490 346 388 or email us at [email protected].