Are you preparing to do some work on your driveway? You’ll likely either choose between concrete or asphalt for your driveway material. But which of these two will be the best choice?
Here’s a quick overview of some of the differences between asphalt vs. concrete in Sanford, NC and why you might find concrete to be a more suitable selection.
The physical properties of asphalt vs. concrete
The way in which these two materials are made differs quite a bit. Asphalt (the common hot mix variety) is made out of a series of aggregates (stone, gravel and sand) combined with the liquid asphalt, which serves as the binding agent to hold everything together. Concrete is made out of materials such as limestone, rock and water. Both are quite commonly used, but concrete is the most frequently used manmade material in the entire world.
Material durability
Rigid concrete will provide you with much more durability than asphalt. Streets and driveways paved with concrete instead of asphalt are much less likely to have potholes, and the surface of the concrete provides more friction to prevent vehicle skidding, which ensures greater safety for drivers on the roads.
Environmental considerations
Concrete is a completely recyclable material, and is, in fact, the most recycled construction material in the world. Instead of being sent to landfills, where it will sit for eternity, it can instead be broken down and used for new pavement or for other types of construction processes. The same is not true for asphalt, which is not recyclable.
One report from the Federal Highway Administration indicates it takes five times as much fuel to make asphalt as it does to make concrete for a road designed to handle the same amount of traffic. While a driveway is a much smaller scale project than a road, it’s still important to consider what you’re doing as a homeowner to reduce fossil fuel consumption and your carbon footprint.
In addition, because concrete pavement does not require as much maintenance and repair, you don’t have to worry about as much fuel being consumed by heavy equipment coming out to your property to make the necessary repairs.
Cost and maintenance differences
Asphalt requires significantly more maintenance over its lifespan than concrete does. You’ll need to frequently engage in sealing the driveway to prevent damage and to keep it looking good.
Concrete pavement will last from 20 to 40 years, but asphalt likely will only last 15 years even with regular maintenance. This adds up to some significant cost differences as well. Even if asphalt costs less for initial installation, the maintenance costs will quickly add up, making it much more expensive in the long run than concrete, which is relatively low maintenance.
Ultimately, while both materials can give you high-quality results for your driveway, the benefits of concrete vs. asphalt in Sanford, NC make it clear that there are many reasons to choose concrete as your primary option.
For more information, contact Maddox Concrete, LLC today to speak with an experienced concrete contractor.