When it comes to driveways, having people opt for concrete or asphalt as their preferred paving material. They have their own merits and demerits and are well suited for construction. But what is the best material to be used in the construction of driveways? Let’s break down the pros, cons, and materialistic properties of each of these materials to find out.
Appearance and design options
Concrete has many decorative options and design perspectives compared to asphalt. It can be dyed or dyed with various colors to form unique and colorful patterns. Similarly, it can also be stamped in different designs. Besides this, one can easily give different types of finishes to a concrete.
On the other hand, asphalt does not have decorative options like concrete. It only comes in standard black. Since it has to be rolled and compressed to make the surface even, there is no way to give it unique finishes like concrete.
Weathering and Climate Compatibility
The weather is an important factor in deciding whether to choose asphalt or concrete for your driveways.
In warmer climatic regions: Concrete driveways are more suitable in regions where the climate tends to be much warmer than asphalt driveways. Driveways built with asphalt are prone to cracking and gouging because the tar softens quite easily in high temperatures.
In colder climatic regions: Asphalt driveways are more suitable in this type of climate than concrete driveways. Cracks easily form in concrete driveways due to lifting frost. Similarly, the salt used on roads to combat ice and snow also negatively affects concrete while asphalt, on the other hand, is resistant to salt. Since asphalt is dark in color, it can easily absorb the heat of the sun, which causes ice to melt even faster.
Potholes and Root Growth: Concrete is more resistant to potholes and roots compared to asphalt due to its stiffness and hardness.
changing climates: In some regions where the weather changes frequently, concrete may be a better option over asphalt for driveways. This is because concrete driveway edges can weather better than asphalt driveways.
Maintenance and Repair
Sealing: Asphalt driveways should be sealed approximately 8 months after installation because they will still be soft during that time. After the first sealing, it requires to be sealed again every 4 to 5 years. In the case of concrete driveways, if they are sealed once, they do not need to be sealed for about 50 years.
Stains: Stains on concrete driveways are easily visible due to their light color, while asphalt does not stain as easily as concrete. However, sealing can also help reduce staining.
Cracks: Weathering and aging will infect cracks in both concrete and asphalt driveways. However, cracks in asphalt are easier to repair than cracks in concrete. On top of that, the maintenance fee is pretty minimal on asphalt than concrete.
Life expectancy
The lifespan of the driveway really depends on the weather conditions of the location and the foundation structure of the driveway itself. However, generally speaking, concrete driveways can last longer than asphalt driveways if properly maintained.
Price
Construction of asphalt driveways is much more economical than construction of concrete driveways. Average asphalt driveways typically cost $3-$4 per square foot, while concrete driveways can run $10-$15 per square foot. However, prices can vary a bit from state to state.