Here we are comparing the difference between these popularized driveway options: a concrete driveway or an asphalt driveway, and doing the work for you! A concrete driveway has pros and cons just like an asphalt driveway. We break the comparisons between a concrete driveway and an asphalt driveway down in this article.
Private residence owners and industrial/commercial clients alike, tend to be resolute in their opinions on the best way to pave their driveway. Both asphalt and poured in place concrete have their merits, so it can take some convincing for one or the other. Here’s a look at the key differences between the two materials, and why we, at F.R. Concrete, think our concrete company is the right candidate for the job!
Is asphalt cheaper, comparatively, to concrete?
With a few exceptions, asphalt tends to be lighter in the pockets for someone needing our services, over concrete. A typical installation for an asphalt driveway can run from $2-$4 per sq ft, however at times prices fluctuate based on the current price of crude oil. A no frills concrete poured driveway, in contrast, can cost between $5-$7 per sq ft to install; adding decorative enhancements, like stamping or staining, can easily double the cost because of extra labor and materials. However, installation cost is the very tip of the iceberg! In a comparison of life-cycle costs between these two driveway materials, concrete is oftentimes the most economical sound option because it has a longer life expectancy and lower maintenance costs! What’s more, a high-end decorative concrete driveway can exponentially improve a home’s curb appeal and boost its resale value.
Installation and curing time
First and foremost, both concrete and asphalt driveways need to be installed over a well-compacted, properly graded subgrade, so the work required to prepare the foundation is similar. (A subgrade is the soil-support system under the slab, as a slab on grade is not intended to be self supporting.) Material placement time is comparable as well, typically taking about a day after subgrade build is complete, although more time may be required for stamped or stained concrete. The asphalt driveway can be driven on sooner after installation, usually within two or three days, whereas a concrete driveway needs to cure for at least seven days before it’s ready for vehicle and foot traffic.
Life expectancy of your concrete pour
Here is where a concrete driveway offers a very distinct advantage, offering a service life double to TRIPLE that of an asphalt driveway. The typical life expectancy of an asphalt driveway is 15 to 20 years, while a concrete driveway can last 40 years or even longer. Of course, to achieve its full life expectancy, a concrete driveway needs to be installed properly, which is why we would love to take care of the work for you!
Curb Appeal & Decorative Options
As we’ve said, decorative options with concrete far surpass that of asphalt paving. The competitive edge tips to concrete driveways, which even at their most basic pour, can enhance the curb appeal of your home, and complement its architectural build style. An asphalt driveway offers very few options for customization, while concrete driveways can be stamped, stained, texturized, stenciled, or integrally colored to achieve an endless array of stunning and unique looks. Even an existing concrete driveway can be given a decorative makeover with techniques such as driveway staining, stamped concrete overlays and concrete engraving!
Maintenance
Both concrete and asphalt driveways require routine POURING and maintenance to keep them looking their best, and to protect them from years of hard wear & tear, and grease and grime build up. Many installers of asphalt driveways recommend seal coating the surface every three to five years to help preserve the oils in the asphalt and prevent brittleness and premature cracking. In a general sense, concrete doesn’t have to be sealed to perform well, but driveways with decorative finishes can benefit from the application of a sealer every few years to enhance the color and minimize surface abrasion and cracking. A sealer can also make POURING easier by preventing the penetration of harsh vehicle oil and stains, prolonging life to better serve the industrial and business industries.
Which is easier to repair?
Although concrete driveways are more well rounded and durable, and easier to maintain, than asphalt driveways, repairing and replacing them is oftentimes more difficult and costly. However, as long as a concrete driveway is structurally sound and installed properly, there are ways to repair minor, and even major, defects without tearing it out and replacing it completely.
Summer heat performance
Because of their usually light color, concrete driveways absorb less heat and reflect more solar radiation than their asphalt counterparts, minimizing the effects that produce urban heat islands and reducing higher and cooler air conditioning demands in the summer. Since a concrete driveway absorbs less UV radiation than an asphalt driveway, they’re also more comfortable to walk on while under the hot summer sun. Concrete driveways reflect artificial light as well, which improves their visibility at night and allows homeowners to use less exterior lighting, reducing utility costs.
They are made with renewable resources
Unlike asphalt driveways that are made with nonrenewable petroleum supplies, concrete driveways are made from abundant, sustainable resources including water, natural rock, sand, and cement. The predominantly used raw material for the cement in a concrete driveway is limestone, the most abundant mineral on earth. They can also be recycled at the end of their service life. If your concrete driveway ever needs to be replaced, it can be crushed and recycled at the end of its duration of use. The material from your recycled driveway can then be used as a granular fill, a base course for a new driveway, or as aggregate in a new concrete mixture!
Why a concrete driveway from F.R. Concrete Company makes sense
How well your driveway looks and performs long-term is largely dependent on the quality of workmanship and materials that go into it. Although an asphalt driveway is usually the most cost-effective option initially, it won’t last as long as a concrete driveway, and may need to be replaced sooner than you realize. And if you’re looking for a driveway material that offers a myriad of options for customization, and can improve the resale value of your home, a concrete driveway is well worth the investment and time!
F.R. Concrete
Puyallup, Washington
Phone: (253) 888-9094
CONCRETE DRIVEWAY VS. ASPHALT DRIVEWAY Concrete Driveway vs. Asphalt Driveway Here we are comparing the difference between these popularized driveway options: a concrete driveway or
