Asphalt vs Concrete driveway: what to choose

If you are looking for a driveway for your new home or as an upgrade of your current home, you probably have questions about what material to use. There are two important options to choose from: asphalt and concrete. So then the question arises: what is the difference between an asphalt vs concrete driveway? In this article we will explain all about it.

Asphalt vs concrete driveway

Where there are differences between asphalt and concrete, there are also similarities. They both have a gravel base, but the binding materials vary. This might look like a small difference, but makes that the materials are completely different in various aspects. For example in the duration, the maintenance and how they react to different weather conditions. So let’s have a closer look at the differences of asphalt vs concrete.

When can I use my driveway after?

If you use your driveway for parking your car and you have no possibility to park your car on the street, you would like to know when you can use your driveway after the installation. Also, if you work from home and customers can come by, you want your driveway to be functional as soon as possible. Normally, you can use an asphalt driveway on the day of installment, while you will have to wait a few days for you to use your concrete driveway.

Asphalt vs concrete driveway: maintenance

Of course it is important to know what is the difference in maintenance if you are considering an asphalt vs concrete driveway. Asphalt will need sealing 6 months till a year after the installation. And after that you will have to repeat this every 3 – 5 years. You can try to do this yourself or contact a professional to help you. A concrete driveway in general has less maintenance. It doesn’t necessarily need sealing. The maintenance you will most likely encounter is the removal of stains that build up over time.

Repair of your driveway

Both with an asphalt and concrete driveway you can experience cracks over time. In general homeowners say that small cracks in asphalt are easier to fix. However, if you have larger cracks in the asphalt, normally this part has to be replaced. Since asphalt is softer than concrete it can deteriorate faster and easier in comparison to concrete. With a concrete driveway a crack or sunken slab doesn’t mean you need to get this replaced. There are different methods to fix this. At Concrete Experts we use a concrete lifting foam. So, if you notice cracks or sunken slabs in your concrete driveway, you can contact concrete lifting experts to fix this for you.

Duration of asphalt vs concrete

Since you are making an investment that you want to last for years, another fact to consider is the duration of your driveway. How long will it last you? In general a concrete driveway has a longer lifespan than one made of asphalt. Where asphalt lasts around 20 years, a concrete driveway can last you at least 30 years. Of course, the correct maintenance is important to improve the duration of your driveway.

Driveway and weather changes

When living in Calgary, the weather is something to take into consideration with the questions asphalt vs concrete driveway. It plays an important part on your driveway. Extreme cold can cause cracks in a concrete driveway. With our concrete lifting method these can easily be fixed however. On the other hand hot temperatures are not good for an asphalt driveway. It can affect in a negative way as it softens under the sun. This can cause your shoes and for example car tires to stick.

Asphalt vs Concrete: what should you choose?

In short: a concrete driveway in general lasts longer and doesn’t need as much maintenance as an asphalt driveway. But the installation of asphalt driveways can be less expensive. Depending on your needs, wishes and budget you can decide what works best for you. Also looking at the long term. Of course, it is always important to choose an expert for the installation. You can also contact professionals when you have problems with your driveway, no matter the material it’s made of.