PRIME ASPHALT

Should You Choose Concrete or Asphalt for Driveway?

When we talk about constructing driveways, there are basically two common materials which are quite abundantly used. They are concrete and asphalt and neither of these is superior to one other. They both have their fair share of benefits and disadvantages. Based on your locality and the environment, either of them can be good or bad for your driveway.
A driveway is an important part of your house or commercial setup. It needs to look good and be durable for a long time. This is why you should carefully consider all the factors before making a driveway for your property and that includes the material which you’re planning to use.
In this article, we are going to shed light on both and see which comes out as a better option.
So without further ado, let’s read on.

Concrete Is Relatively Expensive Compared to Asphalt

If you’re on a budget and you’re planning to get a suitable material for your driveway, then asphalt is the best choice for you. It’s because concrete (compared to asphalt) is a bit more expensive and any new driveway requires a considerable amount of material. On the other hand, asphalt is available at considerably cheaper rates and you can get a driveway constructed much more easily.

Concrete Requires Less Maintenance Than Asphalt

If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like to spend their time maintaining things, then concrete driveways will best serve you. However, there’s a downside to it. From time to time, the concrete driveway may need to be cleaned and resealed to retain its look and strength. But generally speaking, they relatively require fewer cleaning & resealing sessions than asphalt.

Concrete Leave Stains While Asphalt Doesn’t

If there’s one thing about concrete that’s not good for a driveway is its tendency to easily get stains. One can easily find oil spills and other chemical marks on this material. Other biological developments like moss, fungus & mold can also be seen quite easily in concrete. However, asphalt is much better at resisting stains and they look cleaner than concrete. Besides such developments, there’s also a significant chance of discoloration over time.

Concrete Is Harder and Longer Lasting Than Asphalt

When it comes to durability, concrete stands out hands down. It may require less frequent repairs compared to its counterpart. Asphalt is a softer material and can easily succumb to wear and tear due to gradual usage. So if your driveway has a lot of heavy vehicle movement, asphalt can easily deteriorate over time. On the other hand, concrete is more solid and can easily last for years.
The best way to protect your asphalt is to cover up any noticeable wear with an extra layer.

Asphalt Is Easier to Repair than Concrete

If you’re looking for an easy repair option, then asphalt is the best choice. It’s because asphalt can easily be filled in and repaired with a relatively smaller investment. On the other hand, repairing concrete requires more work and it would involve breaking up large pieces and then relaying them again which will cost you a lot of time and money.

Which One Should I Choose: Concrete or Asphalt?

It is quite evident that both asphalt and concrete have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. So, it’s quite hard to decide which one should you choose. However, the decision will largely depend on your locality, weather conditions and usage. Asphalt is great if you’re looking for something that is cheaper, easy to repair and requires less maintenance. On the other hand, if you want something solid, and long-lasting, and if it would observe more foot traffic than normal then concrete is a suitable option for you.
At Prime Asphalt, we offer our customers both concrete and asphalt driveways and can help them choose the best option for their needs. Get in touch with us today so that we can provide you with a suitable solution.
CALL: 817-689-8965

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