Difference Between Concrete and Asphalt Paving in Calgary

Choosing the right paving material is essential for any paving project, as the material you choose will affect the durability, cost, and maintenance requirements of your pavement. Concrete and asphalt are the two most common paving materials used, and both materials have unique properties and are suitable for different types of projects. It is crucial to understand the differences between the two materials to make an informed decision before you begin any project that involves concrete and asphalt paving in Calgary.

Discover the innate differences between concrete and asphalt paving, what each material consists of and everything you should know before undertaking a paving project.

What is Asphalt Paving?

Asphalt paving in Calgary is a popular choice for many types of paving projects. It is a mixture of stone, sand, and asphalt cement, and the mixture is heated to a high temperature and then spread over a prepared surface. As the mixture cools, it hardens and forms a durable surface for roads, parking lots, and other paving projects.

What is Concrete Paving?

Concrete paving is made from a mixture of cement, water, and aggregates such as sand and gravel. The mixture is poured onto a prepared surface and allowed to harden. Concrete is a popular choice for many types of paving projects, including sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.

Cost

Asphalt is generally less expensive than concrete. The cost of asphalt paving around Canada ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot, while concrete paving can cost anywhere from $5 to $10 per square foot. The lower cost of asphalt makes it a popular choice for many property owners.

Durability

Both asphalt and concrete are durable materials, but asphalt is more flexible and can withstand extreme temperature changes. Concrete, on the other hand, is more rigid and can crack under extreme temperature changes. However, concrete is more resistant to damage from heavy vehicles and can last up to 30 years, while asphalt typically lasts up to 20 years.

Maintenance

Asphalt requires more maintenance than concrete. It needs to be sealed every three to five years to maintain its durability and appearance, while concrete requires minimal maintenance and only needs to be cleaned periodically.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Asphalt and Concrete Paving in Calgary

When choosing between asphalt and concrete paving in Calgary, there are several factors to consider that, include:

Climate

Calgary has a harsh climate, with long winters and short summers. Extreme temperature changes can cause damage to the pavement, and asphalt is more flexible and can withstand temperature changes better than concrete.

Traffic

The amount of traffic the pavement will receive is another factor to consider. If the pavement receives heavy traffic, concrete may be a better option as it is more resistant to damage from heavy vehicles.

Conclusion

Choosing between asphalt and concrete paving depends on several factors, including cost, durability, and maintenance requirements. Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages, and the decision should be based on the specific needs of your paving project. Whether you choose asphalt or concrete, it is essential to work with a reputable paving contractor to ensure the job is done correctly.

Economy paving is your 6-time Consumer Choice award-winning team for paving in Calgary and Southern Alberta! With more than 30 years of experience and skill, we have served municipal, commercial, and residential clients, including the City of Calgary, Rockyview County, Calgary Police Services, and many more. Our mission is to deliver high-quality workmanship, honest and transparent customer relations, and cost-effective services that guarantee results. As Southern Alberta’s top paving contractors, we can help with driveway sealing, asphalt repairs, asphalt crack filling, excavation services and more across Central, Southern and Rural Alberta. Hire the best asphalt paving company in the province, and give us a call today!

Protect Your Asphalt Driveway in Winter

Having a driveway is an important part of your home as it provides a safe and secure way to get in and out of your house. An asphalt driveway is a great option for any home for It is durable, cost-effective, and doesn’t require intensive maintenance. But like any driveway surface, asphalt driveways are prone to damage during the winter months, which can result in a need for new asphalt paving in Calgary, which makes protecting your driveways a consistent necessity.

Learn more about how you can protect your asphalt driveway from winter damage through maintenance and proper snow removal.

Why Does My Aphalt Get Damaged During the Winter?

The cold weather during the winter months can cause damage to asphalt driveways. As the temperature drops, the asphalt cement in the driveway starts to become brittle and weak. This makes it more prone to cracking and breaking, which can cause the driveway to become uneven and unsightly.

Ice and snow can also build up on the asphalt driveway, causing it to become slippery and hazardous and eventually crack. De-icing chemicals can also cause damage to asphalt driveways during the winter, and these chemicals can ultimately become corrosive, and they can cause the asphalt to become brittle and prone to cracking and breaking.

Protecting Your Asphalt Driveway from Winter Damage

The key to protecting your asphalt driveway from winter damage is to take preventative measures that can include

Keep your driveway clear of snow and ice. Be sure to regularly shovel and plow your driveway to keep it free of snow and ice.
Avoid using de-icing chemicals on your driveway.
Sealcoat your driveway, as your driveway will be better protected from the elements and won’t be so susceptible to cracking and breaking.
Poorly installed driveways are more prone to damage during the winter months, making proper installation essential.

Tips for Snow and Ice Removal from Your Asphalt Driveway

Snow and ice can be hazardous on your asphalt driveway, and to protect your driveway from exposure to moisture, you should remove snow and ice as soon as possible by utilizing proper snow removal methods. By using a snowblower or shovel, or ice melter, you can effectively and securely remove the snow from your driveway without harming the asphalt on your driveway. It is suggested that you refrain from using metal shovels that can harm the asphalt. Other actions that can harm your asphalt driveway include spreading salt, and it is recommended that you spread sand or kitty litter for traction on your driveway.

Sealcoating Your Asphalt Driveway

Sealcoating your asphalt driveway is a great way to protect it from the elements and help prevent damage during the winter months. Sealcoating your driveway every few years will help protect it from cracking and breaking and will offer you a secure layer of protection. These protective measures against winter weather will delay when you need to hire professionals that are experts in asphalt paving in Calgary for repairs and replacements on your driveway.

Maintaining your asphalt paving in Calgary

Maintaining and protecting your driveway is important for protecting materials such as asphalt paving in Calgary or concrete and always ensuring pleasing aesthetics. Driveway maintenance is also necessary for avoiding accidents, slipping, and other issues. However, taking care of the driveway is not easy during the winter months when snow, ice, and other kinds of hazards may affect your driveway.

Here are some tips and methods to help you protect your driveways during the winter months and to maintain them for the best efficiency.

Tips for Maintaining the Driveways During the Winter Months

Below are some important tips and methods that can help you maintain your drivers in optimal conditions even during the months of winter.

You can relocate all the shrubs or trees with roots. It will ensure that the asphalt or concrete driveways are not damaged by the roots of the trees.
You need to create some space for drain-offs, including snow. For that, you must edge the driveway sides. You must remove the sods up to 3 inches of blacktops/cement.
You must also waterproof or seal your driveways regularly. Professional services for asphalt paving in Calgary can also help you maintain and seal your driveways.
Any of the gutters or the sewer line should not be draining into the driveways.
If you were removing this snow from your driveways yourself, ensure that the plow blade of the machine is not low, as it can damage the asphalt or cement of the driveway.
Do not park heavy equipment or heavy vehicles in the driveway when they cannot handle the highway.
All the ice and snow should be removed as soon as possible from the driveways. If the snow or ice remains on the driveways for prolonged periods, it can cause cracks in the driveways due to thawing and freezing.
You can add more traction to your driveways by putting some sand or litter. These materials do not harm the driveway materials such as concrete and do not harm the vegetation as well.

Don’ts of Driveway Maintenance

When taking care of your driveways, it is important that you avoid using certain methods.

Do not use the chemicals for de-icing and for removing this snow in the driveways. These chemicals can damage the concrete and cement surfaces when they penetrate inside them.
Rock salt should also be avoided as it can damage the driveways. Rock salt can corrode any metal used in the driveway and can also destroy the vegetation underneath.

Hiring the Professional Services

When in need (for instance, when you lack expertise, resources, and/or equipment), you can hire professional services to maintain your asphalt paving in Calgary. The services have the latest resources, equipment, and experience to clean and maintain your driveway in all months and in winter months as well. You can also compare the cost of a few businesses to choose the most affordable option. You can buy more affordable long-term plans to take care of your driveways regularly during the winter months.

Conclusion

Driveways require maintenance and regular cleaning, especially during the months of winter. Driveways made of materials (including asphalt) should be kept clean, sealed, and patched. You can use the above-given tips to ensure the safety and productiveness of your driveways in all the months.

Asphalt company Calgary and replacing your asphalt

When your driveway begins to deteriorate, walking and driving on such a surface can ultimately be hazardous. It is also known that any damage to your vehicle, or physical impairment to your body, can be a costly fix that you will want to avoid. Generally, when it comes to asphalt, you’ll want to maintain it as best you can and begin to install new asphalt after 20 years or so go by. The lifespan can also be cut shorter than the typical 20 years if the area you reside in is prone to weather extremities, like heavy and perpetual rainfall and winter storms, or is exposed to constant UV rays. But what signs should you heed that indicate you should contact your local asphalt company in Calgary to perform repairs and replacements?

Find out what the signs are that will explicitly tell you to begin to contemplate replacing and repairing your asphalt driveway to avoid costly repairs and damages.

Potholes

Begin to notice that deep and substantial potholes have begun to emerge and develop on your driveway. This should be an indication that your asphalt foundation has been severely impacted. Deep potholes can cause damages beyond measure to your vehicle and your household. Because potholes can pose such personal and financial risks when they form on your driveway, so you will want to correct these faults before they grow.

Drainage issues

Once water begins to stay in your driveway without eventually disappearing, you will know there are issues swiftly developing with your asphalt. Although, sometimes, this could also mean that there were issues with the asphalt installment of your driveway. This can be remedied by reinstalling the asphalt on a slope where the water can properly drain.

Fading pavement

Constant sunlight exposure will cause black asphalt driveways to fade into a grey colour, which is also an indication that the foundation of your asphalt is beginning to falter. To restore the driveway’s colour and the foundation’s strength, you can install a sealant every few years.

Cracking

If you notice wayward cracks on your driveway, they can be a quick fix, but when you begin to see a pattern of these cracks, you should consider that something might be inherently wrong with your asphalt driveway. If numerous cracks begin to develop one after another, a replacement might be necessary and imminent to protect your household and vehicles.

Breaking edges

Asphalt driveways are typically installed with concrete incorporated along the edges, and when these edges begin to visibly deteriorate, this is an explicit sign that your driveway is faulty. Breaking edges will also impact the overall integrity of your asphalt driveway, and contacting your local asphalt company in Calgary to inspect it is the best route to take.

Conclusion

When you can’t help but notice the faults in your asphalt driveway, such as cracks, deterioration of the edges, and the visible fading of the black asphalt, you should consider these signs of damage to your driveway. Many of these faults to your driveway can cause damage to your vehicle and also be hazardous, which is why it’s best to correct them as soon as possible by contacting professionals to inspect, repair, and replace your asphalt.

Popular home concrete designs and asphalt paving companies

Sprucing up the exterior of your home and property is essential to maintain your interior. One way to do this is to adopt concrete designs that will become compelling features outside your home. These features will improve the attractiveness of your property and can bring new life to an otherwise dull slab of concrete you might have installed. Whether you have assistance from experienced asphalt paving companies or you want to try to do it yourself, implementing a concrete design will be a conducive way to increase curb appeal and a creative way to improve the exterior of your property in any area.

Find out the most popular concrete ideas that will improve the look of your home and how you can implement them.

Outdoor concrete furniture

As minimalism sweeps the trends, with contemporary celebrities incorporating a minimal appearance in the exterior and interior of their home, homeowners everywhere have become enthralled with this complimentary design. One way you can keep up with this trend is by placing concrete furniture outside. Monochromatic furniture can consist of chairs, tables, and coffee tables that look sleek and impervious to the various weather extremities outside.

Poolside designs

Poolside designs will make your pool installation seem larger, look much less plain, and makes the pool an even more compelling feature than it already is. Creating a border using concrete, particularly when utilizing a darker hue of concrete, is a very accessible project that many homeowners can do themselves without too much trouble. Such a design will make your pool look much more established and will become an asset to your backyard.

Slate and brick walkways

Make your home pop with colour and originality with the use of slate and brick walkways on your property. These walkways can be customized by colour and texture to your liking and will be tailored to the overall aesthetic you have curated in and outside of your home. These concrete walkways will become a beautiful addition to your home, where guests and households alike can safely walk on this concrete feature to get to your cozy abode.

Stone patios

No home addition is better to have in the summer than a patio, and if you want to save money while also creating an attractive home addition, then using concrete is your best route. As an alternative to more expensive materials often used to create an outdoor space, like wood, concrete will prove to be a sturdy addition to your home as a patio that will be perfect to use when the weather begins to warm up.

Countertops

Concrete countertops, whether for inside your home within the bathroom or kitchen area or for an outside bar, have grown in popularity in recent years. Because concrete can be sealed in customizable colours, is extremely durable, and is water-proof, many homeowners opt to get concrete countertops installed, effectively enhancing a home in the interior and exterior.

Concrete construction

While many concrete designs are simple and minuscule features that can be easily added to the home, a newer and innovative idea has emerged, which is to build a home entirely made from concrete. These homes have many benefits that homeowners often seek, including reliable durability, affordability, and an innate ability to heat and cool the interior with ease. You can inquire about this type of construction with your asphalt paving companies.

Is hiring paving companies in Calgary necessary for resurfacing?

Asphalt driveway repair is necessary to protect your vehicle’s state and is just one of the many services that the best driveway repair companies can provide. If you’re thinking about fixing your driveway on your own, or maybe you’ve already started, it’s important to know why hiring paving companies in Calgary instead of doing it yourself might be the best idea.

Listed are the various reasons you should hire a company to fix your driveway instead of trying to do it yourself.

Safety

One of the main reasons you should hire a company to repair your asphalt driveway is that you won’t be able to work safely without the proper equipment and training. Researching how to fix an asphalt driveway will give you a step-by-step guideline on how to do it, but it will take time to acquire the proper tools and materials. It would help if you also had safety equipment during the process to prevent any injuries.

Durability

You need the experience to get the job done, and you also have to know how to make the asphalt last longer. Common sense will tell you that if you’re using a less durable material or not using the right tools, it’s easier for your driveway to break down, and there will be more cracks or damage. You may end up having to fix it again in a few years.

Speed

Time should be an important factor if you’re trying to save money. It takes longer to do the job on your own than if you hired someone else. This is because they have the tools, experience and knowledge that help them get the work done faster. Most companies will also be able to work around your schedule as well since most of them offer 24/7 services.

Cost

Depending on the type of work you want to be done, a professional will be able to provide you with a more accurate cost than if you tried to do it yourself. You can save money by getting the job done by professional contractors instead of trying to do it yourself. Hiring a company can also help prevent the occurrence of theft because most companies will have their own tools and materials for each specific area, preventing others from stealing their equipment.

A business street has been milled and is ready for asphalt paving

Knowledge

If you’re trying to repair your asphalt driveway on your own, you’ll need to know the different types of asphalt available to you and the needed materials and tools. Hiring a company will also ensure that they have the knowledge that is needed in order for their professionals to do great work. They will ensure that repairs are made correctly with all necessary materials and tools.

Guarantee

Most paving companies in Calgary offer guarantees in case anything goes wrong while they’re doing their job. They’ll also ensure that the job is done right first to avoid any future issues. If you try to do the job independently and there are still problems, you’ll have to fix them yourself.

Repairing an asphalt driveway is not something you should do on your own because it doesn’t just require experience; it also requires safety equipment and tools that you may not have. If you’re planning on doing this yourself, you need to be prepared and make sure that you do it properly.

Paving Companies in Calgary and Sealing your Driveway

While you might be tending to a slew of priorities concerning your home, whether the exterior or interior, it’s important to stay diligent when it comes to your driveway. Although it is easy to forget about driveway maintenance, it plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of any household. Because a driveway consistently withstands weather extremities, a bundle of cars driving over it, and comes into contact with its fair share of shovels during the winter, it can sustain damage and eventually begin to wear and tear. Sealing your driveway is essential to ensure it stays in adequate condition and to prevent any damages from inflicting any vehicle that maneuvers over the driveway. When you’re unsure of how to go about sealing your driveway, you can always contact your local paving companies in Calgary for any needed assistance.

Find out when you should seal your driveway, the best time of year to do so, and how often you should reseal it for property maintenance purposes.

When to reseal a recently installed driveway

If your recently installed driveway the past few years is already damaged and needs repairs, and you want to avoid paying for a new installation, resealing is a great and effective alternative. The cost to seal a driveway can cost anywhere between $400 to $1000 per square foot and is an inexpensive method to protect the state of your driveway. Although it is not recommended to seal a driveway that has just been installed within hours and months as it can actually do more harm than good as the driveway may not yet be hardened, you can start to seal the driveway after three to nine months of its original installation.

Resealing older asphalt

Although sealing a driveway is usually completed months after installation, it is never too late to apply sealing onto your older asphalt driveway that has sustained visible damage. It is recommended you reseal your driveway every two to five years. You should wash away any debris off your driveway before starting to seal the driveway and tend to cracks and any unevenness. Avoid sealing on rainy days as it will wash away the sealing on the driveway, and be diligent in looking at the forecast of the week you want to seal the driveway.

Time of year

When you begin to contemplate sealing your driveway for the first time to secure it for a longer period of time, you should factor in the time of year you plan to seal the driveway. Avoid the sealing process during months that are typically wetter, such as winter and spring, and aim to apply your sealant when it is 12 degrees Celsius. If the forecast estimates that rain is imminent, discontinue sealing and wait for a dryer week to complete this task. Typically, it is best to seal your driveway from May to October and avoid making contact with the freshly applied seal for at least 12 days.

Conclusion

Secure and protect your driveway by installing a sealing onto the asphalt to ensure it is maintained. Sealing your driveway can be done three months after the initial installation and should be resealed every two to five years between May and October. By contacting any local paving companies in Calgary, you can ascertain the information you need to seal your driveway during the optimal seasons and times.

Calgary paving and hiring asphalt contractors

Anytime you make alterations to your home, you’ll want to place such responsibilities in competent hands who will make the areas of your property look their best. This doesn’t exclude your asphalt installations from your landscaping. Because your yard and driveway are one of the first areas that any passerby notices, you’ll want to make sure that your landscaping is in quality condition. It is advisable to hire an asphalt contractor to complete your Calgary paving project on your property to achieve this. Whether you’re installing new paving for your driveway, walkway, or patio, an asphalt contractor will guide you through this project with ease and efficiency if you find the right one.

Determine how you can find the right asphalt paving contractor for your home and what exactly you should look for in a contractor when you begin your search.

Get several quotes

When you want to start your paving project, you should seek several quotes from different contractors instead of just sticking to one. Typically, getting at least three quotes is recommended, so you can compare and contrast the prices, warranty, and what will be included within the project. After you have an initial conversation with the contractors upon getting the quotes, you can choose which contractor you like best. Most importantly, select a contractor that aligns with your budget.

Reputation

For any home improvement project, it is safe to say that the reputation of a team handling the intricacies of your abode should have a good reputation. You can begin to gauge the reputation of a contractor you’re interested in working with by simply asking around in your community. Find out from friends, family, and co-workers if they have heard anything, positive or negative, about the contractor you want to hire. You can also glean what people say about a certain contractor by using online resources and checking out the reviews that old customers have left. More so, you can search the business at the Better Business Bureau and see how they have handled past disputes and clients.

An asphalt worker measuring a driveway during installation

Experience

The experience of any given asphalt company is paramount when deciding who to hire. You’ll want a contractor with extensive experience in paving asphalt onto other driveways to ensure everything will go smoothly and the installation will endure for a long time. You should ask your chosen contractor how many years they’ve been in business, request to see their past work, and the training of their team.

Insurance coverage

Most contractors should have at least a minimum of insurance coverage that will protect you and your property in case an accident should occur. Before you definitively hire a contractor, you should ascertain if their insurance coverage will cover the team they bring to your property to install asphalt. In general, you should hire an asphalt contractor who has workers’ compensation and general liability insurance.

Materials and tools

The contractor you hire should already be equipped with the tools to remove old asphalt and install a new coat of asphalt. You might want to check out these tools for yourself to ensure that they’re in good working condition and will do the quality Calgary paving job you need for your property.

If you want to repair your driveway or completely upgrade it, you will most likely choose between a paving method using asphalt or concrete. Both these materials are durable options that will improve the look of your driveway, but they also differ in terms of installation, maintenance, sustainability, and price.

Before you decide on what material you want to use in paving your driveway, find out how both concrete and asphalt compare in varied ways and which one would work best for your driveway.

Installation and paving

Installing concrete takes about seven days to finalize and cure, and waiting a week to drive a vehicle over it is necessary so as not to ruin the installation and the wet concrete mixture. On the other hand, asphalt can be driven on as soon as you install it and will take only two days for it to dry completely.

Maintenance

When you begin to contemplate asphalt to be placed on your driveway, you should take into account that asphalt needs to be sealed a year after installation and again every five years. Sealing your asphalt driveway will ensure the material’s longevity and durability, and neglecting to do this step will result in your asphalt wearing in a shorter length of time. Homeowners who want to cut costs can seal their asphalt themselves without the help of professionals.

Concrete also needs to be sealed, but not as much as asphalt. Sealing concrete will amplify its look and helps maintain it for long-term use. And like sealing asphalt, applying a seal on concrete can be done without professional assistance.

Durability

Both asphalt and concrete will begin to crack and deteriorate after some time, and sometimes repairs are necessary. If properly sealed and maintained, concrete can last homeowners up to 50 years, and asphalt remains intact for at least 30.

Climate

Asphalt is best used in climates that aren’t so exposed to the heat. When the weather reaches a certain temperature, asphalt can become viscous, and the material will easily get stuck on your shoes, hands, tires, and on anything that comes into contact with it. Because of asphalt’s inability to stay undamaged in scorching heat, concrete would work best in places that often see the temperatures increase. In frigid temperatures, concrete is often too prone to cracks.

Concrete and asphalt are both deemed somewhat environmentally friendly as they consist of recyclable materials. Because concrete lasts for such a long time, it reduces waste. While asphalt requires 20% more energy to produce than other materials, it also utilizes petroleum products and can actually release oils when warm.

Costs

Asphalt tends to be cheaper to use, costing about $2-$5 per square foot. Concrete can be double the prices of asphalt and can cost $4-$10 per square foot–yet this is still relatively inexpensive. Finishes and maintenance will increase the price of the total cost of installation, particularly with asphalt that needs to be resurfaced and sealed every five years for upkeep.

Economy Paving is your trusted Calgary paving project partner. Working with municipal, commercial and residential customers, we provide complete solutions for driveways & parking lots, road ways, infrastructure projects, and more. If you’re searching for reliable Calgary concrete contractors call or email us and we’ll provide you with a free estimate. We maintain an Alberta Certificate of Recognition and an A+ Rating on the BBB

The average cost to pave a driveway is influenced by a number of factors, not the least of which is your selection of a Calgary paving company. Other factors include the size of the project, the type of asphalt paving, and the requirements of the project.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Calgary Paving

Size

The size of the project will play a big role in your Calgary paving project, especially for driveways. Driveways come in all shapes and sizes in Calgary, and yours will fall into a bracket of associated costs. Therefore, understanding the size of your driveway can play a significant role in determining the costs and making informed hiring decisions.

Type of Asphalt Paving

The type of your Calgary paving material will also have an impact on the cost. You can choose the cheapest option offered by your paving company of choice, but this will likely lead to a shorter term of life and an increased likelihood of potential issues. Therefore, knowing your options beforehand, and speaking candidly with your paving company will ensure a successful project that stands the test of time.

Project Requirements

Another factor influencing the cost of paving your driveway is the project requirements. Yes, it may seem straightforward to you that the only part of your project is paving the driveway. However, some people wish to add additional items to the project, which might include things like paving stones to your backyard, repouring the steps up to your house, or a custom design or finish for your driveway.

Blacktop Paving Road with Slipform Paver

Make sure that you understand the possibilities that your driveway paving holds so that you can take full advantage of the situation. Again, speaking with your paving company of choice is an effective way to supplement your options and will offer you an accurate list of opportunities.

The Average Cost of Driveway Paving

While all of the factors listed above will play an essential role in the final price of your driveway paving, there are some standards that you can use as a baseline. For instance, the average cost of asphalt paving generally ranges from $1000 – $8000 for a two-car paving space. Particularly, the price of a two-car driveway is $3,600, but in addition to the factors listed above, your specific location and city will play a role in the cost. Happy paving hunting, and enjoy the search!

Economy Paving is your trusted Calgary paving project partner. Working with municipal, commercial and residential customers, we provide complete solutions for driveways & parking lots, roadways, infrastructure projects, and more. If you’re searching for reliable Calgary concrete contractors, call us at 403-278-7727 or email us at [email protected].