A beautiful driveway will make your home look even more spectacular. But chances are you haven’t really given your driveway much thought. You might focus on other parts of the exterior of your home, like the garden, lawn, and paint job, but your driveway is often ignored and taken for granted. Curbside appeal is essential and is often overlooked. It should be important to you to make an excellent first impression; after all, you have driven by houses and noticed the way it looks and if it has a “wow” factor. And even if your home isn’t on the market, you still want to have the best-looking house on the block. With an upgraded driveway, it shows your neighbors and others that you take pride in your home and that first impressions are important to you. Look, you are diligent in keeping the exterior of your home neat and tidy, and that takes gumption as well as a lot of work. But just as crucial as your beautiful garden and splendid lawn is your driveway.
If you are tired of looking at the stains and cracks in your driveway and are contemplating getting it replaced, you are probably wondering what type of material you should choose. The most common choices to use for driveway materials are concrete and asphalt, both of which offer plenty of advantages and a few disadvantages. Yes sir, the age-old debate between concrete and asphalt continues; both serve a very similar purpose, but there are a few differences you should consider.
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Benefits of Concrete Driveways
- Long Lifespan
- Holds Up in Hot Weather
- Very Stylish
- Maintenance
Long Lifespan– Your concrete driveway, if not neglected, will last you for up to 40 years or longer before you have to have it replaced. So it makes a good choice if you are planning on staying in your home for many years.
Holds Up in Hot Weather– Concrete won’t get soft when the hot sun beats down on it.
Very Stylish– Even in its most basic form, concrete will add plenty of curb appeal. You can also have your concrete driveway stamped with custom patterns or colored for added appeal.
Maintenance– Concrete doesn’t require a whole lot of care; it will only need to be sealed and cleaned from time to time.
Cons of Concrete Driveways
- Cost
- Installation
- Repairs
- Cold Climates
Cost– You can expect to pay about twice as much for a concrete driveway when compared to an asphalt driveway.
Installation– It takes time for a concrete driveway to cure properly; you have to wait several days before you can start using it.
Repairs– Concrete is tough and durable, but it does crack and stain due to the light color, and repairs are costly.
Cold Climates– Cement does not fair as well in cold climates as it is prone to cracking, and the surface is sensitive to salt and snowplows.
Benefits of Asphalt Driveways
- Cost
- Smooth Surface
- Holds Up in Cold Temperatures
- Quick Curing
Cost– The initial cost of an asphalt driveway is about half that of a concrete driveway.
Smooth Surface– There are no seams or sections with an asphalt driveway; this makes activities like skating and biking better on asphalt driveways. It also makes it easier to shovel in the winter.
Holds Up in Cold Temperatures– Asphalt maintains its integrity in cold temperatures and won’t crack. In addition, the black color of asphalt absorbs sunlight, facilitates ice melt, and salt won’t damage the surface.
Quick Curing– You won’t have to wait as long before using your asphalt driveway compared to a concrete driveway.
Cons of Asphalt Driveways
- Shorter Lifespan
- Maintenance
- Not as Upscale
- Hot Surface
Shorter Lifespan– While a concrete driveway will last 40 years or longer, you can expect your asphalt driveway to only last about 20 to 30 years.
Maintenance– You will need to seal coat your asphalt driveway every four to five years in order to keep it in good shape.
Not as Upscale– There ate people who feel that asphalt is not as aesthetically pleasing. High-end decorative concrete is undoubtedly more visually pleasing.
Hot Surface– When the temperatures rise in the summer, asphalt can get tacky and even gooey if hot enough. It can stick to your shoes and stain your home’s floors.
Plenty of Considerations
As you can see, there are several things to consider when choosing between a concrete or asphalt driveway. Cost, appearance, and longevity are all things to think about before making a decision. A new driveway is a significant investment that will give you years of service; it is not a decision to be taken lightly. If you have any questions about what material is the right choice for your driveway, we are eager to answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to give us a call or fill out our estimate form, and you will be hearing back from us as soon as possible.
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