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
