What's the Difference? Concrete vs. Asphalt Driveways

If you've had enough of the ruts, fractures, and discolorations of your current driveway as well as are thinking about mounting a brand-new one, you're probably questioning between both most usual strong products: concrete as well as asphalt. While both are laid over a substrate of crushed rock, and also both are essentially a mix of sand as well as rock, various adhesives are utilized to hold those parts together: tar for asphalt and cement for concrete. The characteristics of those adhesives total up to the differences-- both advantages and disadvantage-- in between the two prominent driveway surface areas.

Both asphalt as well as concrete develop sturdy, attractive driveways, but there's even more to choosing in between them than just choosing the less expensive option. That's why we've faced them off head-to-head-- concrete vs. asphalt-- with contrasts in seven major classifications. So continue reading to find whether asphalt or concrete is the champion for your home.

Concrete deals a lot more visual alternatives.

In their most basic kinds, asphalt is dark grey to black-- therefore its usual name of "blacktop"-- and also concrete is pale gray. Unlike asphalt, though, concrete takes well to discoloration or tinting to practically any shade you expensive. You can likewise stamp patterns into concrete or brush it for a textured finish. Select concrete if you want to match your home's color scheme, recreate the look of brick or one more pattern, or prefer a little bit of passion in your home's major entryway. Asphalt is a good option if you want a streamlined look that matches the street.

Asphalt can experience in the high warm, while concrete chokes up in severe cold.

Environment is a significant consideration when selecting between asphalt and also concrete. If you live in an area with extremely hot summertimes, you could discover an asphalt driveway comes to be or sticky when the temperature soars. The cycle of softening in high warmth, after that re-hardening when things cool down, can create asphalt to break or droop. On the other hand, concrete can buckle, heave, or split in the coldest wintertimes (specifically when you don't take correct actions to winterize concrete). And also, the salt used to melt ice can match, tarnish, or spot concrete, leaving awful marks. And it takes snow and also ice longer to melt on concrete than asphalt.

Asphalt calls for securing every few years, yet concrete spots much more quickly.

A few months after installation to allow for complete healing, your asphalt driveway will certainly require to be sealed to safeguard the surface and also extend its lifespan. You'll after that require to reseal it every 3 to 5 years afterwards. (The task is well within the abilities of many do-it-yourselfers: Pour the asphalt sealer onto your clean, completely dry driveway, and then use a driveway squeegee to spread it evenly over the entire surface area.) While it's not a must-do for concrete driveways, sealing concrete helps lower fading-- an important protective measure for a tinted driveway.

When it comes to engine oil, gas drips, rust, as well as the tough use driveways usually withstand, the dark surface and matte finish of asphalt conceals most stains as well as wear quite possibly. Concrete, however, has a tendency to reveal every mark and spill, so you'll need to do more hostile cleaning and degreasing to keep its excellent appearances

Asphalt is easier to repair than concrete yet requires it extra frequently.

While both asphalt and concrete fracture, asphalt has a tendency to deteriorate faster due to its softer uniformity. However, it's relatively easy to fix fractures and also damage in asphalt, and also the fixed locations generally mix well with the rest of the driveway. It's likewise reasonably easy to apply a new overcoat of asphalt if the surface area is greatly ruined or revealing its age. Concrete is harder to fix, as well as patched spots are generally relatively evident unless you intend on resurfacing the whole driveway.

Concrete driveways usually last longer than asphalt.

In general, if installed properly in a suitable climate as well as maintained on a regular basis, your concrete driveway needs to last 30 to 40 years, while an asphalt driveway is normally good for 20 to 30 years. Neglect to set up without an also, secure substratum of gravel-- or be reckless regarding proper upkeep-- and also either kind of driveway can stop working within a few years.

You can drive on asphalt fairly rapidly but needs to wait on concrete to cure.

You can typically utilize an asphalt driveway within a number of days of setup. With concrete, you'll wait a minimum of a week before it fully remedies sufficient for you to drive on it-- something to maintain it in mind if street parking is a challenge in your area!

Concrete prices a whole lot more than asphalt.

As a rough general rule, a concrete driveway prices around 45 to 50 percent more than an asphalt driveway. According to cost website CostHelper, property owners report an average rate of $2.24 per square foot for a brand-new asphalt driveway as well as $4.36 for a brand-new concrete driveway, but prices can fluctuate substantially depending upon where you live, the intricacy of the task, and the size of the driveway.

A new driveway is a huge expense, whichever way you pick to go. There is no precise "champion" in the fight between asphalt and concrete; the decision comes down to which is ideal for your climate, your budget, and also your resistance for upkeep demands.

Hiring a pro may be the answer. Find top local driveway experts, give us a call to get a free quote!