When renovating a house or building a new one, concrete and asphalt are most probably the first two driveway paving materials that come to your mind. Both of these options can create attractive driveways, but there are other things to consider when choosing one over the other for your home. Here are the key differences between the two main driveway materials.
Lifespan
If installed properly, under suitable weather conditions, and with proper care, a concrete driveway can last for 30 to 40 years. In some cases, this driveway material can even last 50 or more years with occasional degreasing and repairs. An asphalt driveway has a shorter lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
Maintenance
Both concrete and asphalt require proper maintenance and repairs at some point after installation. At Sunshine Services Limited, Inc., we recommend seal coating your asphalt driveway after six months from the installation date and resealing it every three to five years. This helps to preserve the oils in your driveway.
On the other hand, concrete driveways don’t need regular sealing. But those with decorative finishes can benefit from seal coating every five years to enhance the driveway looks and reduce surface abrasion.
Aesthetic Appeal
Your paving material plays a critical role in the general appearance of your driveway and the entire home. Concrete has a light color with a smooth texture, while asphalt has a dark and textured appearance.
If you want to achieve a specific look or design, hire reliable driveway paving services in Palm Beach FL to install a concrete driveway. You can tint, stamp, etch, or stain it to match your desired look. However, asphalt doesn’t adjust well to stamping, etching, and other finishes. Even though some sealants contain tints, you are limited to black.
Climate and Weather
You should also consider weather conditions when choosing between concrete and asphalt for your driveway. Hot weather condition makes asphalt soft. It then gets sticky as temperatures rise. Asphalt can crack as it keeps on softening and re-hardening when temperatures drop.
Drying Time
If you have a newly installed asphalt driveway, you can drive on it after two to four days, depending on the humidity and other climatic conditions. Note that driving on wet asphalt can lead to damage.
Concrete takes much longer to dry. Although you can walk on it in 24 to 48 hours, you’ll have to wait a week or more to drive on it. Concrete drying time depends on factors such as temperature, moisture, and the mix design.
The Best Driveway Paving Services in Palm Beach FL
With the above comparisons, you can now make a better decision on the driveway paving material for your home. Aesthetics, maintenance, and the weather patterns in your area are some of the critical things you should consider. If you need professional assistance on your next paving project, contact Sunshine Services Unlimited, Inc.