Why Choose Concrete Driveways over Asphalt?

October 27, 2009

Even though asphalt is less expensive to install and more durable, there are many reason a homeowner may choose concrete for his or her driveway. One reason may be strictly a cosmetic one - in other words concrete just looks better on the outside. You can embed designs within concrete, something that is more difficult to do with asphalt. That doesn't mean you can't do it with asphalt but you have to keep in mind that once the heat hits it, asphalt will begin to liquefy thus causing any designs you have created to fade into oblivion. It is also unlikely you will be able to add colors to asphalt. Although you can include colorful sad particles in your picture the heat will also likely absorb these into the liquefied asphalt if it becomes too hot.

On the bad side, concrete driveways are more expensive to maintain and have a tendency to crack more easily than asphalt. Most people tend to repair holes in concrete by using an asphalt mixture. In addition when concrete driveways or roads become very damaged the contractors tend to use asphalt for resurfacing. Does that mean you should use concrete? No, not by any means because there are many good reasons a person may choose concrete over asphalt, especially if you live in areas where extreme weather conditions exist. Using asphalt is more favorable when you live in areas with more constant temperatures and those on the milder side.

You also want to look at the financial implications of using one material over the other one. While concrete is more expensive to install and maintain, not everyone likes working with asphalt. The smell is one many people prefer to shy away from making concrete a more favorite smell to the nostrils.