Concrete: Comparison Summary
- Asphalt is much faster to cure than concrete. Within the day, asphalt cures completely, and you can drive on it right away.
- However, you can not apply much decorative process to it.
- Using asphalt serves you best if you are resurfacing massive areas such as commercial driveways or parking areas.
What are some alternatives to concrete driveway?
Top Alternatives To Replace Your Concrete Driveway
- Gravel. Gravel isn’t just a common but highly preferred driveway material in many regions that experience exceedingly low temperatures.
- Asphalt. A frequently used option in lieu of concrete is asphalt. ...
- Brick. Driveways made of brick are quite popular in a lot of circles due to the vivid personality they add to the house.
- Rubber. ...
- Timber. ...
What is the average price of a concrete driveway?
The average is just above $3,000, or $6 per square foot. Factors like location, size, decorative elements, potential reinforcement, and removing the existing surface can all influence that range. A simple concrete driveway ranges between $4 and $7 per square foot.
Is concrete cheaper than asphalt?
While concrete lasts longer, it’s easier and cheaper to resurface asphalt. Budget, time to rehab and climate are significant factors when selecting a material for parking lots. Many are asphalt since it’s easier to repair, cheaper and not subject to temperature variations.
Which is better cement or asphalt?
Concrete stains much better than asphalt, making it possible to match your driveway’s color or style to your home. Typically, asphalt is dark gray or black and matches the street rather than the home. You might experience the following disadvantages if you go with a concrete driveway.
What lasts longer concrete or asphalt?
Concrete driveways normally last longer than asphalt. In general, if installed properly in a suitable climate and maintained regularly, your concrete driveway should last 30 to 40 years, while an asphalt driveway is generally good for 20 to 30 years.
Which is more expensive concrete or asphalt driveway?
The initial cost to install a concrete driveway is $3 to $10 per square foot—double the price of asphalt.
Is asphalt pavement better than concrete?
Concrete roads are highly durable and more environmentally friendly as compared to asphalt roads. However, asphalt paving costs far less than concrete paving. Also, asphalt road provides a little better safety of the vehicle against snow and skidding.
What type of driveway lasts the longest?
ConcreteConcrete is the old standby for driveways. Most suburban homes opt for this material for two big reasons: Concrete is typically the longest-lasting driveway surface, and, if installed properly, it is practically maintenance-free.
What is the best type of driveway to have?
Concrete. Among the most durable options on the market is a concrete driveway surface. Although it provides a hard and stable surface, that is highly dependant on professional installation, high upfront costs, maintenance, and weather conditions.
What are the disadvantages of asphalt?
Cons of AsphaltLifespan: Asphalt paving doesn't last quite as long as concrete. ... Amount of Maintenance: Asphalt paved surfaces tend to require more maintenance than concrete; for example, seal coating should be performed every three years.
Which is more slippery concrete or asphalt?
The costs of concrete roads are also higher than that of asphalt, both in installation and repair. Concrete is not as "grippy" as asphalt, either. Spills, vehicle chemicals, and other pollutants do not absorb into concrete as well as asphalt. This material is also more prone to slippage during rain or snow.
Why do we use asphalt instead of concrete?
Asphalt provides a nicer, smoother, often quieter ride when relatively new. Concrete can be noisier because it is tined or broomed during construction to make it rough enough to provide good tire grip.
Is it cheaper to use asphalt or concrete?
Cost. The cost of an asphalt driveway is typically cheaper than concrete, costing $2.00 – $4.00 per square foot. Asphalt prices tend to fluctuate with fluctuations in crude oil prices. In contrast, a concrete driveway costs between $4.00 – $6.00 per square foot for a standard installation.
What is the cheapest way to do a driveway?
A gravel driveway is by far the cheapest and quickest to install, especially if the existing driveway's sub-base is sound.
Why are roads asphalt instead of concrete?
Advantages of Asphalt Roads New asphalt is quieter than concrete. Though it creates a smooth drive, it also boasts better traction and skid resistance. Since asphalt is black, it utilizes the natural heat from the sun to help keep the roads clear after storms.
How long should a concrete driveway last?
25 to 30 yearsThe average life of your concrete driveway will depend on installation methods, environmental conditions and temperatures. However, you can expect your surface to last anywhere from 25 to 30 years with proper care. The key to prolonging the life of your investment is to pay attention to wear and tear each season.
Concrete Offers More Visual Options.
In their most basic forms, asphalt is dark gray to black—hence its common name of “blacktop”—and concrete is pale gray. Unlike asphalt, though, con...
Asphalt Can Suffer in The High Heat, While Concrete Performs Poorly in Extreme cold.
Climate is a major consideration when choosing between asphalt and concrete. If you live in an area with very hot summers, you might find an asphal...
Asphalt Requires Sealing Every Few Years, but Concrete Stains More Easily.
A few months after installation to allow for full curing, your asphalt driveway will need to be sealed to protect the surface and lengthen its life...
Asphalt Is Easier to Repair Than Concrete but Needs It More frequently.
While both asphalt and concrete crack, asphalt tends to deteriorate faster due to its softer consistency. However, it’s fairly easy to repair crack...
Concrete Driveways Normally Last Longer Than Asphalt.
In general, if installed properly in a suitable climate and maintained regularly, your concrete driveway should last 30 to 40 years, while an aspha...
You Can Drive on Asphalt Fairly Quickly but Must Wait For Concrete to Cure.
You can normally use an asphalt driveway within a couple of days of installation. With concrete, you’ll wait at least a week before it fully cures...
Concrete Costs A Lot More Than Asphalt.
As a rough rule of thumb, a concrete driveway costs around 45 to 50 percent more than an asphalt driveway. According to price site CostHelper, home...
The similarities and main difference between asphalt and concrete
In fact, concrete and asphalt are somewhat similar, being heterogeneous and composed of aggregates bound together with a binding material. However, the main difference in their composition lies in the binder. In concrete, the binder is generally cement and water.
The seven key factors for comparing concrete vs asphalt driveways
The major comparison factors include cost, curing time, lifespan, aesthetics, frequent maintenance, repairs, and durability.
Cost of concrete vs asphalt driveways: is asphalt or concrete cheaper?
The cost of concrete or asphalt driveways per square foot can have a wide range, due to various controlling factors such as the location, size, surface preparation, thickness, exposure conditions, borders, colors, staining, stamping, sealing, and others.
Curing time: and when can you drive over new concrete and new asphalt?
It is generally recommended to wait at least 7 days before driving over new concrete, and preferably 10 to 14 days before parking a vehicle. In fact, normal concrete reaches about 65% of its strength after seven days of curing, and about 85-90% after 14 days.
Lifespan: how long does a driveway last?
A concrete driveway should last from 25 to 40 years on average with proper maintenance. In fact, there are many factors that can influence its lifespan, including ground preparation, quality of the mixture, design, exposure conditions, maintenance, and others.
Aesthetics
Concrete driveways can have a wide range of customizations. For example, one go for stamped concrete, with an almost endless variety of colors, patterns, and textures. Also, concrete can be stenciled, stained, etched, painted, brushed, and much more. Hence, concrete can be customized in many ways to add a unique decorative touch to a driveway.
Maintenance
Concrete driveways usually require routine maintenance, such as cleaning and sealing. When it comes to sealing, it is important to choose the adequate type of sealer with the required properties for your project.
