Do you know people prefer houses with curb appeal?
In fact, such properties have a higher market value when on sale. Obviously, a client would prefer a home with more appeal than with none.
Moreover, that’s not only a matter of a beautiful and eye-catching exterior but more. Picking the right paving material can get fulfill such high demands.
However, a driveway is more than just exterior beautification. It needs to be sturdy and weather-resistant to go in the long run.
Whether upgrading the parking lot or replacing it, choosing the right paving material can do wonder.
Still, the client finds it hard to decide, which paving material is better Asphalt Vs Concrete Driveway?
The best way to evaluate the right option would be to go to the key factors. So, let’s begin!
Asphalt vs Concrete Driveway: What Is The Key Differences?
Before comparing concrete vs asphalt, understanding the paving material is vital.
Interestingly, whether it is asphalt or concrete, they are very much similar. Having fundamental material including aggregate, like sand and gravel.
The major differences mainly lie in the binding agent that combines these materials. Bitumen is present as the binding agent of Asphalt giving it the bold black color. On the other hand, concrete has cement present in to find everything.
Certainly, this appears as a minor fundamental difference in the grand scheme.
Here are the many factors deciding Asphalt vs Concrete Driveway, which is the best!
#1: Climate Considerations Matters
The major deciding factor in deciding the right paving material is the climate condition of your locality. Actually, weather determines if the driveway material holds up or not.
Concrete driveways aren’t good for cold climate and harsh winters. On the other hand, an asphalt driveway isn’t good for areas with extremely hot temperatures.
Why?
Asphalt is comparatively soft and flexible. In hot temperature, it expands and even contracts easily. With maximized temperature, it would deteriorate easily. Hence, there would be constant requirements for Asphalt repair services.
On the other hand, harsh climate concrete is more likely to crack. Thus, the requirement for concrete repair would be at the top.
Therefore, before making a decision, consult your local climate with your contractor to come to a better decision.
#2: How Soon Can You Use it?
Another fact that can help in deciding, Asphalt vs concrete, which is more preferable, is how early you can use it.
Whether it is the unavailability of street parking or a business with high traffic requiring constant parking lot use, this factor is crucial.
Asphalt quickly avails for use compared to concrete pavement. In fact, asphalt becomes available for use the same day. On the other hand, concrete take many days to set. In case, concrete is your pick, book a parking slot elsewhere beforehand.
Else, you can make alternative parking arrangements for the time being.
#3: Maintenance
The next point is maintenance. Most homeowners misunderstood it with driveway replacement. However, pavement maintenance is a term that expands to a larger aspect.
It is the regular inspection of the pavement for cracks, potholes, and other issues. Moreover, determining the right repairs to resolve these driveway glitches are counted as maintenance.
Whether it is concrete work or asphalt paving, long-term maintenance services determine the life of a pavement. However, the requirement of maintaining services differs from paving material due to fundamental composition.
Comparatively, concrete is low maintenance of paving materials. On the other hand, asphalt requires more maintenance services than concrete work.
#4: Repairing Asphalt and Concrete
Certainly, asphalt-paving material requires more maintenance. However, it is easy to maintain and have affordable repair services.
In fact, pavement glitches like cracks and potholes can be easily filled and sealed. Another way to repair it is resurfacing.
Contrarily, concrete might require lesser maintenance services, but it is difficult to repair. Of course, cracks on concrete can be sealed or patches can be put over.
Still, concrete repairs can affect the decorative feature of the pavement. Most experts suggest concrete driveway replacement is an easier solution.
#5: Driveway Life
Now, comes the most vital point of discussion, pavement life. Obviously, you don’t want to get newer pavement every two years.
In this term, whether it is asphalt or concrete, both pavements have a relatively long lifespan. Asphalt paving can go around 20 to 30 years. Moreover, with extreme care and maintenance services, the lifespan can increase.
The same goes for concrete too. Though it requires lesser maintenance, with good care, concrete work stays intact in good condition for a long. Usually, the lifespan for a concrete driveway ranges between 30 to 40 years.
#6: Price
Asphalt over Concrete Driveway Cost is a crucial deciding factor. In fact, most homeowners and businesspersons conclude on this aspect only.
Usually, gravel is a low-cost pavement material requires but requires greater maintenance. Besides, it reduces the home appeal.
This is where asphalt or concrete comes as an option. Either pavement material requires a bed of gravel for installation.
Typically, these are less expensive than the regular brick paved driveways. When it comes to Cost of Concrete Vs. Asphalt Roads, the latter wins.
Asphalt is bits cheaper, even its repair services are affordable. On the contrarily, concrete is a bit expensive and even repairing it can cut down your pocket.
#7: Thinking About Value
Most property owner looks mainly on the budget and cost of asphalt vs concrete. If it doesn’t fit in their specification, they would move for another option.
However, what goes unnoticed here is value.
In terms of upfront cost, a concrete driveway might appear expensive compared to asphalt. Still, in the long run, it adds value to your property.
Certainly, it requires lesser maintenance and lasts longer comparatively. Today, asphalt might appear cheaper for your project. In the long run, you might end up spending more than you had calculated.
In short, a concrete parking lot can add value to your property and increase its cost. Evidently, it might appear costly but might be the best choice.
#8: Customization Options
The last factor left on deciding, asphalt vs concrete roads, is customization. It means changing the pavement material as per the choice to beautify the exterior.
Definitely, concrete is extensively customizable than asphalt. It is available in various colors, shapes, and patterns. In fact, it can be stained in any desired color with specific coloring agents. In short, you have an extensive option to complement the exterior of your house.
Even customized concrete patterns are available. Concrete gets you infinite options; you have to pick the right one that goes with the exterior of your property.
However, with asphalt, there is only one color-black. In terms of customization, asphalt literally fails.
Concrete vs Asphalt Driveway: Which Is Best?
Well, after going through the above facts, deciding the pavement won’t be a tough job. Clients mostly concern about the expenses over the installation process. Whichever is cheaper becomes their favorite.
However, the contradiction arises from the fact that it might appear cheaper today but has the most underlying expenses.
In fact, picking a pavement material unfavorable with your weather condition, because it saves a few bucks, can be the worst decision.
Rather than saving you big, it can add greater expenses and bills of asphalt in the long run. Besides, hiring the wrong asphalt paving contractor can add to it.
Actually, an inefficient asphalt paving installation or concrete work can further add to the expense of repairs.
So, firstly, you need to get the right pavement material for your parking lot. And most importantly, hiring an experienced and reliable contractor matters most.
Asphalt vs Concrete Driveway| Best Paving Services In Toronto
Whether asphalt or concrete, either can be a good choice. However, this would happen only when you choose the right asphalt paving company.
Main Infrastructure, the leading pavement installer in Canada, offers you amazing deals on all your pavement needs. With years of expertise in the pavement industry, we know how to get it right.
Whether a small project or a larger parking lot installation, we provide the same unmatchable quality with our superior technique.
We, as a company, focus on installing a top-quality long-lasting pavement that bears high traffic with resiliency. This is why we are preferred for every kind of project, whether it is industrial, commercial, or individual.
Our commitment to quality arrives from the usages of the finest paving materials and binding agents. We carry out the installation process with superior precision to meet all our specific requirements.
Our deliberate efforts and passion for paving have made us who we are, the leading paving contractors in Canada.
When it comes to pavement installation, whether it is concrete or asphalt, it is a job for experts. We offer you convenient and effervescent services at the most affordable cost.
Our representatives are here to assist you every step of the way. Call us @ +1 (416) 514 0809 for a quick consultation on your asphalt project.