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Asphalt or Concrete: Which material for your drivewayAs a homeowner you have made many decisions and saved thousands of dollars to get to where you are today. One thing you may be asking yourself is why am I still using this gravel driveway. If you find yourself in this position there are two main choices that you will pick from as a replacement to your current driveway. Those two choices are to either go with an Asphalt Driveway or a Concrete Driveway. The more you begin to look into options for paving your driveway you will start to ask what is the difference between the two materials anyways. We will dig into this question further but first lets looks at some of the similarities between the two materials. They are both made with stone and sand, the difference is the binder material. Asphalt is petroleum based while concrete is made with cement. They also both sit on top of a gravel base or foundation.
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Now that we know some of the similarities let's look at how these two materials differ. One of the first aspects that you will notice is the cost. A typical contractor will estimate the total cost of your driveway by dollars per square foot. This is typically for a 4" thick surface. Asphalt will cost between $2 - $4 per square foot and the price can fluctuate with crude oil prices. A concrete driveway will cost between $4 - $6 per square foot but if you are looking for custom finish or stains in the concrete this number can reach as high a $15 per square foot. An example would be if your driveway is 10 feet wide by 50 feet long. This would be 500 square feet and asphalt will cost you $1000-$2000 installed while concrete will cost $2000 - $3000 installed.
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Both types of materials will require some level of maintenance. Asphalt requires more maintenance on a regular basis than concrete does. This is in the form of sealing/sealcoating the surface. Homeowners can perform the sealcoating on their own but if this type of work does not appeal to you, you can use our sealcoating services. It is recommended that your driveway is sealed every 2-3 years depending on the age and condition of the surface. Where asphalt does out perform concrete is in its ability to be repaired. Both concrete and asphalt will develop cracks over time as the foundation and ground shift. The cracks in asphalt are easily repaired and when professionally done are almost un-noticeable. Concrete repairs on the other hand can be harder/impossible to repair and leave an unsightly finish that cannot be resurfaced.
The lifespan of the two materials also differs. A properly maintained asphalt surface can last up to 30 years. When you look at the lifespan of concrete it does have the potential to provide a sturdy, long lasting driveway, that can last for over 50 years with the proper maintenance and care. You should also consider the ability to customize the look of your driveway as well. A concrete surface does offer more options for finishes as it can be stamped and stained to achieve the desired look. Asphalt on the other hand is mainly limited too a flat black surface as it is not easily stamped or stained.
The final factor that you should consider when evaluating asphalt or concrete as your driveway material is the climate you live in. If you reside in an area that has very cold winters concrete may not be the best option for you. When the ground freezes and thaws it will also move. This movement will create multiple cracks in your driveway and is compounded by the fact that road salt also eats away at the surface. If you are in a hot climate where temperatures are consistently above 100 degrees you will need to factor in that asphalt can soften as the temperature rises. This can cause the surface to stick to shoes and tires on your car.
We hope that this article helped to clear up any questions that you have between the two driveway materials. As you can see there are many factors to consider when choosing that include: cost, appearance, durability, and climate. If you still have questions please fill out the form below or call the number above. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your project in detail. If it is determined that asphalt is not your best choice we have a network of concrete contractors that we can recommend to ensure you are pleased with the end result.
The lifespan of the two materials also differs. A properly maintained asphalt surface can last up to 30 years. When you look at the lifespan of concrete it does have the potential to provide a sturdy, long lasting driveway, that can last for over 50 years with the proper maintenance and care. You should also consider the ability to customize the look of your driveway as well. A concrete surface does offer more options for finishes as it can be stamped and stained to achieve the desired look. Asphalt on the other hand is mainly limited too a flat black surface as it is not easily stamped or stained.
The final factor that you should consider when evaluating asphalt or concrete as your driveway material is the climate you live in. If you reside in an area that has very cold winters concrete may not be the best option for you. When the ground freezes and thaws it will also move. This movement will create multiple cracks in your driveway and is compounded by the fact that road salt also eats away at the surface. If you are in a hot climate where temperatures are consistently above 100 degrees you will need to factor in that asphalt can soften as the temperature rises. This can cause the surface to stick to shoes and tires on your car.
We hope that this article helped to clear up any questions that you have between the two driveway materials. As you can see there are many factors to consider when choosing that include: cost, appearance, durability, and climate. If you still have questions please fill out the form below or call the number above. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your project in detail. If it is determined that asphalt is not your best choice we have a network of concrete contractors that we can recommend to ensure you are pleased with the end result.