Wondering which type of driveway to get for your residential or commercial property? Almost always, asphalt driveways come out on top in terms of features, practicality, and usability. So, what makes these works so well for all requirements? There are many distinctive features that separate asphalt pavements from the rest in many regards. From easy installation to maintenance and longevity, everything helps.
When you find a good asphalt paving contractor, they will surely prepare the groundwork right. It is also very important to make the right preparations. Also, that hot asphalt mix has to be proportioned right according to your usage and climate requirements. When done right, a good asphalt project should last three decades with maintenance. Here are some unique benefits of asphalt over concrete driveways:
1: Asphalt Driveways Are Cheaper, Faster to Finish, and Start Using
When it comes to laying the surface, asphalt pavements are far easier and quicker. Concrete driveways have a lot of different steps involved including curing of different materials and different levels. Practically, your concrete pavement contractor will have to work in stages that take many weeks.
Also, ideally, your asphalt driveway should be finished in a few short days. It can take half as many days as a concrete project. Also, concrete driveways will require much longer to set properly. Asphalt projects are often made from recycled materials that make them cheaper and eco-friendly as well.
Additionally, from a usability point of view, asphalt driveways are also a lot quicker. You should be able to use one after a day or two of drying. Concrete projects will have you wait for several months before they become fully operational and usable for vehicles.
2: Asphalt Driveways Have a More Elegant Darker Look
Aesthetically, more people favor asphalt projects over concrete. This is solely because of the darker more elegant finish of asphalt compared to concrete. A typical concrete mix is lighter in color that might also start feeling rougher after a few short months.
On the other hand, asphalt driveways are known to boost the outdoor appeal and value of your property. They remain looking clean and uniform for quite a bit longer. Also, a cheap seal coat brings back that elegant dark sheen in as little as a day as well.
However, the aesthetic is purely preference based. Yet, the overall value of your property from the outside boosts with a cleaner more minimalistic look of asphalt. This makes it so much more desired.
3: Asphalt Driveways Are More Durable and Longer Lasting
When it comes to longevity, asphalt is a winner as well. These are typically more durable. However, that doesn’t have to do with the hardness of the material or the surface. In fact, asphalt pavements are much softer in their multiple layers than that of concrete projects.
This is where that typical durability and longevity come into play too. The softness of the mixture allows it to bear heavy loads in a more efficient way. A typical concrete pavement will need replacement in no more than ten years. An asphalt project lasts three times that.
Also, besides being more durable and long-lasting, asphalt driveways are recyclable and eco-friendly. Contractors can dig up the old one and recycle the material to form a new hot mix.
4: Lower Maintenance Costs and Options for Fixability
There are great maintenance options available with asphalt driveways. On the other hand, there are typically no maintenance options available with concrete. So, when concrete gets cracked up or broken apart, there is no way to bind it back up again. Also, options like seal coating, don’t apply to concrete.
This maintenance is what makes asphalt driveways last so long. You can get a seal coat every five years to refresh the surface look. It will also bind together any loose debris. Options like potholes and cracks filling are only available with asphalt driveways as well.
Additionally, all these maintenances and fixability options are very cheap with asphalt pavements. You can spend much less on asphalt and have it looking good for much longer.
5: More Grip for Tires and Shoes
In the case of commercial parking lots that get heavy vehicle deliveries, more grip plays a vital role. This is what you get from asphalt driveways as well. A professional driveway paving contractor will keep in mind all requirements of your project to design the hot mix accordingly.
By setting the mixture right, options like more grip and the ability to handle heavier loads can be added. Also, for residential driveways, when more people will be walking on these surfaces, this grippy nature makes the surface a lot safer as well.
As long as you make sure to communicate the requirements of usage with your contractor, the paved surface should be as required. It will be safer, more durable, and much cleaner in aesthetics too.
Bottom Line
Driveways and parking lots are all of great importance. They can improve the look and finish of your residential or commercial property from the outdoors. Asphalt driveways are cleaner in their finish and are able to last much longer when laid by a professional service provider.
Concrete pavements fail to provide maintenance and fixability options like asphalt projects. If you want your driveways or parking lots to be safer, asphalt is the way to go as well. Moreover, this material is also very recyclable. These benefits combine to make asphalt surfaces much better options indeed.