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Benefits of an Asphalt Driveway vs. Concrete

If you are thinking about replacing or even adding to your current driveway, then you probably are wondering about the differences between an asphalt driveway and a concrete one. Which one of the materials is more suitable for your property?  As with many other home projects, there is not necessarily one right or wrong answer, it simply depends on your personal situation.  In this post, we will outline some of the reasons why homeowners decide that using asphalt as their driveway material is the right choice for them.

Budgetary Reasons

Many people decide to use asphalt because the cost of installation is significantly less than the cost associated with installing a concrete driveway.  Even the low range of concrete driveway installation is more expensive than asphalt. In some cases, the cost associated with installing concrete is 3 times as expensive as using asphalt.  If you are on a tight budget, you can save a significant amount by choosing asphalt over concrete for your driveway material.

Weather Conditions

Concrete driveways look great until they begin to crack after experiencing temperature extremes.  Asphalt holds up better under extreme weather conditions because it can expand and shrink as necessary, unlike concrete which tends to crack under pressure and extreme conditions.

Use Almost Right Away

If you have a multiple-car household, it can be very difficult for everyone in the home to wait for a concrete driveway to cure.  After installation of concrete, homeowners cannot use their driveway for 7 days while it undergoes the curing process.  If you have a lot of drivers in your family, it can be a real inconvenience to find other places to park until your concrete driveway is ready for traffic.  Asphalt, on the other hand, is ready for traffic almost immediately after application.  It only takes 24 hours for asphalt sealer to dry before an area is ready to handle both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Superior for Hiding Stains

If you have older vehicles or garden equipment that tend to leak various fluids now and then, an asphalt driveway is better at hiding those unsightly stains left behind.  Over time, a beautiful concrete driveway can become blemished and stained, requiring more maintenance to keep it looking presentable.

Maintenance

Asphalt is more forgiving when it comes to the products one might need to use on their driveway in the winter months.  Using the wrong de-icing product on a concrete driveway can cause it to heave and crack over time, requiring the homeowner to make repairs when the weather turns warmer.  With asphalt, holes, and repairs are easier for homeowners to fill and seal, whereas, with concrete, patches are more pronounced.  In addition, any concrete heaving and cracking requires more intensive repair that some homeowners might feel is beyond their do-it-yourself capabilities.

Future Landscaping Plans

Concrete driveways do tend to last about 10 years longer than asphalt driveways, but not everyone wants to be locked into their current driveway/landscaping situation.  Especially for those who like to remodel and/or redo their landscaping on a regular basis, it might be more advantageous not to invest in an expensive concrete driveway when their future plans include revamping the driveway area anyway.

Summary

Each homeowner needs to weigh the pros and cons of each material and decide which one is best-suited to fit within their budget, their ability to maintain the driveway and their future considerations for the property.  Knowing these factors will help homeowners select the right driveway material for their particular situation.

If you would like to know more about installing an asphalt driveway, please contact us.  We are here to help answer any of your questions.