Using the right driveway material when building your home is important, just as the driveway is essential, the paving materials are also crucial in the construction of a good driveway. There are two primary paving materials: concrete and asphalt, and there has been a series of questions about which is the best for constructing a driveway. Well, in as much as they both serve as suitable materials for the construction of driveways, there are still differences as well as similarities amongst them.
Both materials have gravels and are both produced using stone and sand. The noticeable difference in both of them is mainly adhesive materials. Let’s explain, asphalt is made from petroleum, while concrete is a product of cement. There are other differences, though, but this does not mean in any way that any of them is inferior to the other.
3 Known Differences Between Concrete vs Asphalt Driveway
#1. Pricing
From the look of things, the cost of an asphalt driveway is cheaper than its concrete counterpart. The pricing cost between $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot. Due to its affiliation with patrol, the price does fluctuate according to the price of petroleum, as in, if the international oil price falls, it falls, and vice vasa.
As for the concretes driveway, it cost between $4.00 to $6.00 per square foot for every standard installation. Meanwhile, details, stains, and finishes can push up the price a bit to 15.00 per square foot.
#2. Repair and Maintenance
It is expected that you maintain the asphalt driveway six months to one year after it is installed. This is because an asphalt driveway needs to be sealed over and over again at least every three to four years. Doing this will prolong the life span of this driveway, and it doesn’t even need the services of a professional to do this. All you need is the right materials many homeowners are even the ones sealing their driveway.
But in the case of concrete driveways, such sealing is not required, using a concrete driveway enhances the look of the driveway while preserving the finishing. Maintaining this type of driveway can attract more costs unlike the asphalt, this is because of the involvement of degreasers used in removing oil, fuel, or chemical stains that accumulate over time.
#3. Durability
With proper maintenance, concrete is more durable than asphalt. The lifespan of a concrete driveway is expected to last for more than 50 years as against asphalt driveways that are expected to last for over 30 years. So, you now see the difference. And note, the concrete driveway will only last that long if only good degreasing and occasional repairs are performed.
Finally, you must understand that there are many factors you need to consider as a homeowner before installing any of these driveways. Since the two are of superior quality, you need to check your budget, and how often you can afford to maintain it then go for the one that best suits you. Good luck.
