Need a new driveway? You’re probably torn between the two most famous materials; concrete vs asphalt.
These two materials have a lot more in common than they are different. For one, they are both composed of stone and sand, make durable driveways, and are both aesthetically pleasing.
Their significant difference is the adhesive binder in their construction. Asphalt paving’s binder is asphalt, which is a viscous petroleum-based liquid, while concrete’s binder is cement.
The difference in the binding material creates the difference between the two materials. For example;
- Asphalt is softer and more flexible; it deteriorates easily, making concrete more durable with a lifespan of 50+years, while asphalt can last up to 30 years.
On the flip side, the lack of flexibility of concrete material also puts it at a disadvantage in freezing temperatures. The material will often crack, and concrete repair is much harder, but the flexibility of asphalt makes asphalt repair an easy job. - The design options; concrete offers quite a lot of creative design options, it can be stamped to represent different patterns and textures, and it can also be tinted in different colors.
Asphalt, on the other end, has only one design feature, black to gray color. However, recent developments are making ways to allow coloring into an asphalt mix to give it more than one design characteristic. - Maintenance; concrete only requires occasional degreasing to stay in good condition. On the other hand, asphalt needs resurfacing and resealing every 3 to 5 years, which makes asphalt paving high maintenance.
- Costs; concrete is more expensive.
What’s the bottom line?
Concrete and asphalt both have all the desirable qualities of a good paving material which are:
- Durability
- And good aesthetics
The one you choose will all depend on your preference and your budget. You can’t go wrong with either. They are both a surefire investment.
Let Us Help with Your Paving Services
Whether you choose concrete or asphalt, what makes or breaks a driveway is the quality of the installation. By choosing to work with Coats of Armor for your paving services, you’re choosing quality workmanship.
Give us a call to handle your driveway installation in New Braunfels, TX, and the surrounding 50-mile radius.