A driveway doesn’t last forever and when it’s time to redo yours, you’ll likely end up choosing between an asphalt driveway or concrete. Now depending on personal preferences this might be an easy choice, but for a lot of homeowners the choice isn’t so black and white. So let’s dive into some of the pros and cons that come with both options so that you have all the information you need to make the best possible choice.
How Long Will They Last?
One of the most important topics of discussion when it comes to installing a new driveway is how long is it going to last? I mean nobody wants to put their hard earned money into a new driveway that’s going to end up breaking down in just a few years. Both of these options have pretty long lifespans but concrete comes out on top in this battle. With proper care concrete driveways can last over 30 years. This is great if you’re putting down roots and settling into your home for the long haul.
Now asphalt is still pretty long lasting but it has a shorter lifespan than concrete does. If you stay on top of your yearly maintenance you can expect about 20 good years from an asphalt driveway. Something to think about, is that if you live in places with really hot summers and freezing winters this can create a freeze-thaw cycle that can cause your asphalt driveway to crack. So asphalt may not be the ideal choice for these locations.
Is There A Lot Of Maintenance?
Speaking of maintenance, let’s break down what you should expect for each of these options. Concrete driveways are pretty low maintenance which most people, including myself, love! Apart from hiring a professional pressure washing company every few years and getting it sealed to keep those pesky oil stains away there’s really not much to it.
But, if you go with asphalt, you’re going to be looking at a lot more work for yourself. First off you’ll need to seal it each year. This sealing process is far more labor intensive than sealing a concrete driveway. In addition you’ll need to repair any cracks or potholes that pop up to prevent more damage from occurring to your driveway. If you’re not too worried about spending the occasional weekend slopping oil on your asphalt driveway it’s still a decent option.
How Much Will It Cost?
Let’s talk about the money. This is always the first thing people want to know when they start looking into fixing up their driveways. How much is it gonna cost me? An arm and a leg? Or just an arm?
While both concrete and asphalt driveways are big investments, concrete actually is more expensive upfront. Now before you crown asphalt the winner let’s take a second to cover the details. Yes, concrete does cost more to install, but it lasts longer and is more durable and requires less maintenance. All those little costs eventually add up and even though asphalt is cheaper to install, you’ll most likely end up spending more money on your asphalt driveway in the long haul than you would with a concrete driveway.
Conclusion
In the end the winner for us is concrete. With long lasting durability and minimal maintenance, you can’t really ask for much more. Yeah you’ll have to invest more on the front end to get it installed but in the long run you’ll end up having more money in your wallet than if you go with a concrete driveway.
This post has been brought to you by the expert team at Custom Concrete & Forms. We are the number one choice when you’re looking for Greeley concrete contractors to handle your concrete services. Whether you’ve got a new driveway you want installed, stamped concrete, or patio repaired, you can trust our professionals to get the job done right.
