Have you wondered what material to use for your driveway? Many people choose either asphalt or concrete. Even though concrete and asphalt differ in many ways, they both have a gravel base. One notable difference comes in the kind of adhesive they use. Concrete uses cement, while asphalt uses bitumen.
Know some factors to consider before you decide whether to go with asphalt or concrete.
Maintenance
First, think about the maintenance and repair costs of your driveway.
After asphalt installation, you must seal the asphalt within six months to allow the asphalt to cure fully. Subsequent sealing should happen every 3–5 years to keep the asphalt in excellent condition. On the other hand, concrete does not need sealing to increase its lifespan. However, concrete sealing helps maintain the good looks of the driveway.
Unlike asphalt, oil and gas drips can easily stain a concrete driveway, so you often need to aggressively clean the driveway to keep it in excellent condition.
Both asphalt and concrete are prone to cracks. However, asphalt repair is much easier, and the patched spots blend well with the driveway. Concrete cracks take more effort to fix, and the repaired cracks are easier to spot unless you resurface the entire driveway.
Cost
Price is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a material for your driveway. Asphalt is less expensive to install than concrete. Some factors that determine asphalt pricing are your location and driveway size.
Although you spend more on concrete installation, asphalt needs periodic sealing to keep it in good shape. So installation cost of concrete balances out eventually.
Climate
Your location's climate should also guide you on the driveway material to choose. Do you live in a hot or cold region? If your area experiences freezing winters, asphalt will usually be the best choice for you. Concrete tends to crack due to freezing and thawing. Road salt also negatively affects the concrete in the long term.
Conversely, asphalt can't handle hot climates as well. When exposed to extreme heat, asphalt tends to become sticky. Asphalt softens when temperatures soar and then re-hardens when the heat cools down and causes the asphalt to sag or crack on in the process. So choose concrete if you live in hot areas.
If your region has a moderate climate, either asphalt or concrete will do.
Durability
Generally, a concrete driveway has a longer lifespan than an asphalt driveway. Concrete is a strong material and can last for 20 to 40 years when you take good care of it. An asphalt driveway will serve you for up to 25 years with proper surface maintenance.
Keep in mind that proper maintenance is paramount for both concrete and asphalt. Otherwise, your driveway will usually start failing after several years of service.
Aesthetic
The driveway material determines its looks. Concrete will often give your driveway a graying color. You can also tint, etch, or stamp your concrete driveway to the color that you like. If, for instance, you want a material that you can recreate to match your preferred color scheme, you should go with concrete.
However, if you want a dark look that matches the street's appearance, asphalt is a perfect choice. Although some sealants have tint and color, black is the most available option, which makes asphalt hard to etch or stamp.
So, asphalt or concrete? The truth is, no material is better than the other. The decision depends on maintenance costs, budget, and the climate of your region. At Star Paving Company, we install both. Contact us for more information. We look forward to helping you with your driveway.
