Whether you’re building a new home or simply want to refresh your driveway, choosing the right driveway material is incredibly important. The most common paving material you can choose from is either concrete or asphalt, both of which are great paving materials for your driveway. But which of the two is better for you?
What’s The Difference Between Concrete and Asphalt Pavement?
Both materials are great for pavements because they are durable. There’s no big difference between the two in terms of performance. However, where they differ is in how they are installed and other aspects such as price, the frequency of maintenance, the cost of repairs, the lifespan, and even the overall look of the pavement. So, let’s dive deeper into their differences below.
Price
Between the two materials, asphalt is slightly less expensive than concrete, which costs about $1.00 to $4.00. Prices for asphalt frequently change along with those for crude oil. In contrast, a standard installation of concrete pavement can cost between $4.00 and $6.00 per square foot. The price increases due to coatings, details, and staining, which can reach up to $10.00 to $15.00 depending on your location.
Overall, asphalt is much less expensive than concrete. However, concrete being a tad bit more expensive does have its pros with a longer lifespan than asphalt, which we’ll dive into deeper later.
Maintenance
Another big difference between the two is how frequently the material should receive maintenance. Asphalt pavement, after its initial installation, should be sealed after about six months, because if not, your asphalt pavement will be much more susceptible to deterioration. And after about five years, you would have to re-seal the pavement again in order to expand the pavement’s lifespan and keep its overall aesthetic looking good.
Meanwhile, concrete pavements don’t really require much sealing. Many people choose to apply a seal coating to their concrete pavement since it will improve the appearance and protect the finish of concrete driveways.
Another way to maintain your concrete pavement is with degreasers. Degreasers add to the cost of maintaining concrete driveways, but they are frequently required to get rid of chemicals, grease, and gas stains that accumulate over time.
Repairs
Having cracks in your pavement can ruin its entire look and could cause further damage if not repaired immediately.
Asphalt tends to crack more than concrete, which can be a pain, but cracks on asphalt pavements are cheaper to repair than those on concrete pavements.
Lifespan
The reality that asphalt is less durable than concrete is one of the main differences between asphalt and concrete driveways. Asphalt can last up to 20 to 30 years with appropriate maintenance. Concrete, on the other hand, is much more durable and reliable, lasting households 50 years or more with only periodic maintenance and degreasing.
Bottomline
Both materials are great for paving; you just have to choose which one is better for you and your driveway. So although concrete is looking much more favorable here, asphalt is still a great choice because it’s cheaper in price, cheaper to repair, and is even recyclable.
Weigh out your pros and cons and choose which paving material will work best for you or you can give us a call so we can provide you with great advice, and even better paving!