December 19, 2016
Had a question from a customer on driveways. Concrete or asphalt. Both have their pros and cons. We will discuss asphalt first. From what I have witnessed with asphalt driveways in the winter is that they are the first to get covered in snow but are the first to melt. They hold heat and release the heat to melt the snow and ice off of the driveway. In my opinion they convey a certain sense of elegance and prestige. They are easily damaged by heavy equipment (many companies make you sign a waiver before they will drive any heavy machinery on it releasing them from liability) and The asphalt does not take kindly to roots from trees. Patch jobs always look like a patch job if a repair is needed. If in the future you wish to add on an apron or make the driveway wider, there will always be a seam. Appearance wise you get what you get. A black smooth surface that will fade to a grey color over time. There are many different coatings that can be applied every few years to give it a fresh appearance. Asphalt will not last as long as a concrete drive. That is something to keep in mind when comparing costs.
Concrete will last a lifetime provided it is cared for properly. Concrete has many more options as far as appearance. It can be colored and designs stamped into the surface before it dries. You could have the look of a cobble stone driveway for much less than a real one and a lot less maintenance. Concrete does have control joints. They can be strategically placed for a better appearance. To ensure your driveway melts off as fast or faster than an asphalt drive you can run a series of warm water pipes through the concrete as it is placed. The warm water system can be operated through a variety of devices. Geothermal or an outdoor boiler (the same units used for heating your home and hot water by using wood).
Maintenance
Asphalt and concrete both require a certain amount of maintenance. Sealing both is important to keep water from penetrating the surface and causing those unsightly cracks. Asphalt will crack into small chunks. If the base material was not compacted correctly you can end up with low spots as the base material and asphalt sink. If concrete has the proper amount of reinforcing materials in it, a soft spot in the base material will not travel through the concrete.
I hope this helps with your decision between the two.
Had a question from a customer on driveways. Concrete or asphalt. Both have their pros and cons. We will discuss asphalt first. From what I have witnessed with asphalt driveways in the winter is that they are the first to get covered in snow but are the first to melt. They hold heat and release the heat to melt the snow and ice off of the driveway. In my opinion they convey a certain sense of elegance and prestige. They are easily damaged by heavy equipment (many companies make you sign a waiver before they will drive any heavy machinery on it releasing them from liability) and The asphalt does not take kindly to roots from trees. Patch jobs always look like a patch job if a repair is needed. If in the future you wish to add on an apron or make the driveway wider, there will always be a seam. Appearance wise you get what you get. A black smooth surface that will fade to a grey color over time. There are many different coatings that can be applied every few years to give it a fresh appearance. Asphalt will not last as long as a concrete drive. That is something to keep in mind when comparing costs.
Concrete will last a lifetime provided it is cared for properly. Concrete has many more options as far as appearance. It can be colored and designs stamped into the surface before it dries. You could have the look of a cobble stone driveway for much less than a real one and a lot less maintenance. Concrete does have control joints. They can be strategically placed for a better appearance. To ensure your driveway melts off as fast or faster than an asphalt drive you can run a series of warm water pipes through the concrete as it is placed. The warm water system can be operated through a variety of devices. Geothermal or an outdoor boiler (the same units used for heating your home and hot water by using wood).
Maintenance
Asphalt and concrete both require a certain amount of maintenance. Sealing both is important to keep water from penetrating the surface and causing those unsightly cracks. Asphalt will crack into small chunks. If the base material was not compacted correctly you can end up with low spots as the base material and asphalt sink. If concrete has the proper amount of reinforcing materials in it, a soft spot in the base material will not travel through the concrete.
I hope this helps with your decision between the two.
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