Shortcut To Decide Between Asphalt And Concrete For Your Driveway?

Asphalt and concrete are two very different products that have different pros and cons. If you’re thinking of doing some home renovations, it may help to know more about the differences between asphalt and concrete driveways. You must know the cost, durability of each and which snow melt suits both.

Here’s what you need to know:

Durable

Concrete is more durable than asphalt. It lasts longer, becomes less prone to cracking and chipping, and resists UV damage better. Concrete can be resurfaced many times over the course of its life; asphalt cannot be resurfaced.

Aesthetic and Design

If you are looking for an aesthetic and designed driveway to enhance your property’s curb appeal, concrete will be the right choice because you can apply colors, finish, stain, or stamp your concrete driveway. While asphalt has to be rolled and compressed during installation; hence does not lend well to spend, stamp or stain.

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Cost

Generally, an asphalt driveway is cheaper than concrete, costing $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot. However, its prices tend to fluctuate with crude oil prices, whereas a basic concrete driveway costs between $4.00 and $6.00 per square foot. However, colors, finishes, and stains can increase the price to $15.00 per square foot.

Maintenance

An Asphalt driveway must be resealed every 3 -5 years to maintain its long life. However, a concrete driveway does not require so much sealing. Degreasers may increase the maintenance cost for concrete driveways. However, removing oil, fuel, and chemical stains that appear over time is sometimes necessary.

Climate and Weather

In colder regions, during winter, your concrete can crack during the freezing and thawing cycle.

Unlocking The Secrets To A Durable Concrete Driveway

Ready to get your hands dirty for that driveway project? Here is a straight-talk guide written specifically for you that covers concrete driveway installation, essential driveway maintenance tips and making it last longer. Let’s delve into some insider tips and must-knows on these.

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Concrete Driveway Installation

Think of your driveway as the red carpet leading to your home—it needs to be firm! Starting off right is crucial:

• Ground prep is where you win half the battle. Excavate to the correct depth (usually 7-8 inches) and compact the base thoroughly to prevent any future shifting.
• Choose wisely your concrete mix. For driveways, the compressive strength of concrete should be at least 4,000 psi to satisfy vehicular traffic requirements.
• Do not forget about curing. Maintain surface dampness ensuring even and gradual development of concrete strength.

Concrete Driveway Tips

This is a jewel: DIY driveway concrete may sound enticing but think again! Do an analysis to determine the advantages and disadvantages of pre-mixed concrete vs bagged concrete. With premixed one gets convenience while bagged gives one control over the mix.

The concrete driveway mix ratio can either make or break a concrete driveway project. So target water-to-cement ratio at around 0.45 in order to have durability without having too watery mixture.

Long-lasting Driveway

A driveway that lasts isn’t just built; it’s maintained:

• Seal it! Apply a quality sealant every few years to protect against moisture and cracks.
• Address repairs promptly. Even small cracks can evolve into major headaches if water seeps in and freezes.

Concrete Driveway Maintenance

• Routine care is non-negotiable. Regularly clear debris and clean stains to maintain the aesthetic and integrity of your driveway.
• Be cautious with deicers. Avoid using harsh chemicals like calcium chloride and magnesium chloride especially in the driveway’s first winter. Opt for pet and plant-friendly ice melt products instead.

Remember, whether it’s choosing the best concrete mix for driveways or mastering the art of concrete driveway maintenance, each step you take should aim for longevity and functionality. Don’t just build—build to last! And remember, going the DIY route can be rewarding, but for something as foundational as a driveway, consulting with a professional can save you from costly mistakes down the road.

Is Ice Melt Safe For Concrete?

Salt and chloride-based snow melts can cause profound harm and result in spalling and scaling the concrete if you don’t know what ice melt to use on concrete. 

On the other hand, the hot sun in summer can melt the asphalt and make it sticky to shows and car tires.

The takeaway from this post should be that both asphalt and concrete driveways have their benefits. Asphalt is less expensive, but concrete lasts longer in colder climates and need less maintenance over time. This means that if you live in an area where it snows often or freezes during the winter months, then concrete would be a better option for your driveway than asphalt. 

On the other hand, if you live somewhere that doesn’t get much snow or cold weather, then asphalt will work just fine!

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Conclusion

There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding what material to use for your driveway. While asphalt is cheaper, concrete has a better appearance that can be customized. You also need to think about the environmental impact of each material and how long it will last. 

When choosing between these two options, consider these points carefully before making your decision

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