Concrete and asphalt are the two most frequently used materials for paving driveways and pathways. Although despite their regular appearance, they both offer a greater variety of finishes than many people realise. An asphalt drive doesn't necessarily always have to be black and, similarly, a concrete drive doesn't have to be off white or grey. Both concrete and asphalt surfaces can be coloured and tinted in a range of colors. To find our what your options are, you should get in touch with your paving contractor and see what sort of color options they can offer you for your path or driveway.
Both materials are able to be customized, to make their appearances more appealing to each individual, but both concrete and asphalt have their own unchangeable qualities that set them apart also. In this article I will briefly outline some of the pros and cons of both materials when using them for building a driveway:
Concrete Driveways: What's Good and Bad
If you live in a cold climate and are considering a concrete driveway you need to make sure that the foundation for the driveway is heavily laid with gravel, and that it is well compacted first. If not. the driveway will run the risk of cracking due to frost in cold weather. Another typical problem for concrete is salt in cold climates is salt: concrete is susceptible to salt damage, a material frequently used on roads and pathways when snow or ice are expected.
Consideration for the slope of the driveway should also be considered when contemplating concrete driveways. Over time, concrete driveways can shear off of the foundation they are poured on which can lead to unwanted cracks.
Asphalt Driveways: What's Good and Bad
In general, an asphalt paved driveway is cheaper to build than its concrete counterpart. But there are other considerations: an asphalt drive require significantly more attention over time than a concrete drive. Asphalt driveways need to have a sealer applied at least once every three to five years, for a start. And each sealing, although it is easy enough for a homeowner or diy-er to do, will cost time and money and some inconvenience. The sealer itself can only be applied under certain weather conditions, and it will take two to three days to dry before a car can be parked on the driveway again.
Alternatively, for those of you who live in a hot or warmer climate and are thinking about installing a asphalt driveway or path, you need to be aware that asphalt softens in the heat, which makes it vulnerable to becoming indented and developing ruts. Despite being much easier to repair than concrete, asphalt can become no less unsightly or inconvenient when it comes to repairing.
As an aside, it is worth considering that new asphalt driveways need to 'breath' for at least 6 to 9 months, and should not be sealed during this time: the oils in asphalt must be allowed to evaporate fully before any sealant is applied. If a sealer is applied too soon, it will inhibit the oils from fully releasing, and the asphalt will remain soft and susceptible to damage as a result.
Asphalt vs Concrete: in Conclusion
An asphalt driveway, properly maintained over time, can be expected to last for up to 30 years. A concrete driveway will, of course, last much longer than that. But both asphalt and concrete surfaces rely heavily upon the original foundations upon which they are laid. Where concrete or asphalt is laid on a sub-par foundation, either material will become susceptible to cracking - and these effects are always more common in colder weather climates.
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