Let’s say you are building a new home and you are thinking on which material to use to make your driveway. Either way, you will have to pick between concrete and asphalt. The materials may appear similar but they have some notable differences which you might want to ponder before making a decision. Both materials must possess a well compact base of gravel before being used.

Both materials are made of the same material sand and stone. The only difference lies on the adhesives used. Asphalt uses tar while concrete uses cement. The different adhesives are the one that gives each material unique feature. Moreover, they also affect durability, maintenance, and cost. For instance, tar is softer and degrades faster than cement making it cheaper than cement. However, with proper maintenance, asphalt driveways can last long.

Here are some key differences between the two;

Maintenance

After a period of six months to one year after installing, driveways made of asphalt should be sealed. Subsequent sealing should be done after every three to five years. The sealing does not require special tools. Frequent sealing extends the life of the asphalt greatly.

On the other hand, concrete driveways do not require sealing. However, sealing preserves look and the finish. Concrete stains easily than asphalt and may require degreasing in a case of oil stain.

Both concrete and asphalt driveways can be renovated. However, it easier to renovate asphalt cracks and they can blend well to original if done well. Additionally, asphalt can be resurfaced if the old layer wears out giving it a new top. This is impossible with the concrete.

Cost

Comparing the two in terms of installation, asphalt is cheaper than concrete. Averagely, a square foot will run from $3-$4.5. Even when there is a fluctuation in crude oil, the prices will fall between those margins. Concrete ranges from $4.5-$4.5 per square foot. The prices can even be higher if the concrete has detailed finishes.

Climate

Climate is an important aspect to consider when comparing the two. In cold and freezing winters, concrete suffers from frost and cracks. Further, the salt used during ice melting process can leave pits creating marks on the driveway. In warmer climates, the tar used in asphalt can become softer and deforms in some parts of the driveway. In fact, there are many house owners those who are not able to understand the difference between concrete and asphalt, you can go here to read what’s the difference between concrete and asphalt after which you can easily understand the difference.