Introduction
The driveway is essential in nearly every property. It is an integral form of every estate and provides endless functionality to the residence. Apart from its various advantages, the driveway also adds to the compelling aesthetics of a property and gives room to the homeowners to make some changes to the residence.
Functionality of a driveway
The primary functionality of the driveway is to provide a medium or connection for the vehicles from the entrance of the residence to the main street or the main road. As everyone is aware, the property is more elevated from the main street, and without the presence of a driveway with proper height, the vehicles would not be able to move in and out of the property without damage. Therefore, the driveway also facilitates the safe locomotion of vehicles.
Many individuals consider Concrete Asphalt Driveway services because of the increase in curb appeal that they can attain from doing this. Over time, Asphalt paving services that you did earlier on for your driveway will begin to wear out and you will have a much distorted-looking driveway that does not appeal to the human eye and needs some major changes.
The same may also be the case when you use cement instead of asphalt and such damage due to the immense weight of the vehicles or the wear and tear by natural causes adversely impacts the curb appeal. In such cases, it is preferred that you reach out to the relevant Concrete Asphalt Driveway services to install the Asphalt Driveway and retain the curb appeal of your residence.
Concrete and Asphalt
Concrete and asphalt, are both very know materials in the construction world and probably the most used materials today. Both are very rugged and tough materials known for their ability to withstand heavy pressures and even stay intact after years of wear and tear.
Concrete and asphalt are different and in some places, the physical properties of concrete make it a better option as in other situations, cement is the more preferred material. An example of this is that in the construction of roads, the majority of the time we use asphalt but in many commercial construction projects the use of concrete is more common.
Difference among the Two
Concrete
- Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, and other aggregates including sand, and gravel to give it strength, and the cement in the concrete acts as the binding substance that aids in holding all the materials and the aggregates together.
- Concrete is known for its durability and strength as well as its ability to bear heavy loads making it a common material in construction buildings, bridges, and highways
- The concrete has a smoother and rigid surface but it mostly depends upon the finishing done by the Asphalt paving services who also do the concrete work and they finish it in different textures and designs.
- When we speak about the appearance and color of the concrete, it is more grey but at times, color pigments are added to it to make it more colorful.
Asphalt
- Another name for the asphalt is bitumen and it is an adhesive and dark material. It is initially an extremely viscous liquid or also a semi-solid form of petroleum. These are the properties of asphalt in its initial stages and the asphalt we use on the construction of roads and driveway consist of multiple different aggregates such as small stones and gravel to give the asphalt shape and integrity.
- The asphalt concrete is flexible in nature enabling it to adapt to movement in the ground which prevents it from cracking or deforming when pressure is applied by heavy loads or by contraction and expansion because of the climate.
- the installation of asphalt is not particularly a sophisticated process and it is considered simpler than that of concrete
- while having a smoother surface than concrete that provides a quiet and comfortable ride for vehicles on the road, the physical characteristics of asphalt provide more grip to the vehicles mitigating chances of any mishaps
- The asphalt is dark in appearance with limited options available for coloring. It is often chosen for its functional properties rather than aesthetic considerations.
Which is better to be used in driveways?
To be able to judge which of the following material is a better option for construction of driveways there are a number of factors that should be considered:
- Budget
When we speak about cost upfront then in that case the asphalt is the right option to choose from. The asphalt is a quick and easy process to install and the material used in asphalt does not cost a lot and the installation procedure does not require a large number of labors. Concrete on the other hand is costly when we talk about upfront payments.
- Climate
The climate is also a factor to consider when choosing the material. The concrete tends to work best in areas that are warmer but are known to no be able to withstand the pressure when temperature drops. The asphalt on the other hand is somewhat flexible and is great option to consider in cold area. The flex in the asphalt material allows it to contract and expand thus preventing cracks.
- Aesthetic Preferences
If aesthetics are a major concern for you then the concrete is the option for you. The concrete can be colored and can be poured into different shapes but the asphalt has only one dark color with limited or no options of customization.
- Maintenance Commitment
If you are looking for an option that requires less commitment to frequent maintenance then you should go for the concrete that requires less periodic maintenance. With asphalt on the other hand you have to apply seal coating from time to time.
Conclusion
In summary, choosing between an asphalt and concrete driveway requires thorough evaluation of your needs, your financial situation, and local variables. Concrete is a good option for people who value a long-lasting and adaptable solution since it provides durability, design freedom, and less ongoing upkeep. However, some homeowners find asphalt to be a viable choice due to its speedier installation, initial cost benefits, and adaptability in freeze-thaw regions.
