When new people come to your home or business their first impressions are based on appearance. Having a cracked and broken sidewalk or driveway is not creating the best first impression. Concrete or asphalt paving can be the facelift that your property needs in order to have every newcomer stunned by the beauty. When considering your driveway, walkway or sidewalk you may be going back and forth between asphalt and concrete paving. Which is better? Which is more durable? What are the prices like? At Pacific Coast Paving we can help you answer all those questions and more!
Concrete Paving
Commercial construction sites such as shopping malls, corporate buildings and medical buildings are all built with concrete sidewalks for multiple reasons. One reason being the durability, concrete can last up to 40 to 50 years. Another reason is that concrete poured material dries quickly. Within 30 minutes a smooth finish can be applied to the surface followed by a broom finish. Cement is a great material for curb ramps and corners with diverse slopes and grades. Cement does not require long-term maintenance. However, concrete walkways can also be more expensive than asphalt. Concrete repairs are generally more pricy. On the other hand, repairs wouldn’t be needed for a long time after the cement has been placed. Though concrete costs more money in the long run you may save more money as they don’t need constant maintenance or repairs.
Pros:
- Is the most versatile
- Easy maintenance
- Easy to seal
- Longest lifespan
- Most durable and thick
- Concrete can withstand Vancouver’s hot climates without cracking or breaking
- Recyclable and long-lasting allowing it to be more environmentally friendly
- Best for resale value
- Cheaper to install a heated driveway
Cons:
- The more versatile the more expensive
- Can stain due to mould, leaves, mildew and drainage from vehicles.
- The appearance of repairs are not ideal and are expensive
- Will crack under the cold Vancouver conditions
- Salt, snowplows and deicing chemicals will damage it
- Uses non-sustainable natural resources
Asphalt Paving
Asphalt paving is more cost-friendly. The price can vary from $2-5 per square foot of a driveway. Concrete can cost $3-10 per square foot of a driveway. If your vehicle leaks oils it is less noticeable on asphalt. Gasoline, however, will cause damage. The lifetime of asphalt lasts 20 to 25 years. Once the paving is finished you can drive on asphalt immediately, whereas concrete needs one week to dry. More maintenance is needed with asphalt paving, six months after installation resealing is necessary as well as every 3 to 5 years. Resealing is quite inexpensive ($20-50 for 4.75 gallons) and it’s a simple process too. You can personalize asphalt when it comes to specialty paint-like sealers to get have brighter colours and tinting is available using naturally coloured rocks, iron or glass.
Pros:
- Inexpensive installation
- Easy cleanup if any oil leaks occur
- Easy to repair and Resurface
- The appearance of repairs are unnoticeable
- The best for cold climates and extreme temperature fluctuations
- Recyclable
- 93% of roads are asphalt
Cons:
- Round edges don’t work with decorative pavers
- More maintenance is needed
- Professional help is required for large cracks and holes
- Can get sticky during high temperatures causing the bottom of a shoe to be stained.
- Uses petroleum products in the installation and sealing processes.
Conclusion
Both concrete and asphalt have the pros and cons of what they can offer your driveway. If you are needing a cost-effective and quick process asphalt is better. If you are wanting to have as little maintenance as possible concrete is the better choice for you. Over time both asphalt and concrete will need resealing and repairs to obtain their best condition. No matter what you choose your driveway will end up beautiful with the help of Pacific Coast Paving. We would love to assist you when deciding on what material to use specifically for the property when you book your free estimate. Visit here to book your free estimate today!