Asphalt Vs. Concrete Driveway: What’s The Cons and Pros?

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If you’re ready to replace your driveway or patio, there are several things you’ll want to think about. One of the first decisions to make is whether you want an asphalt or concrete driveway. While these two materials may sometimes be confused with one another, they are actually quite different.

Insight

As All County Construction explains, there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of materials. Understanding the pros and cons of each material choice and which types of applications they are best for you can help you choose the best option for your project.

Once you’ve decided on which driveway type is right for you, you’ll be able to choose a reputable and reliable contractor to help you complete your project. Some contractors may specialize in either concrete or asphalt projects, so you’ll want to decide between the two materials before choosing who you wish to work with.

What is asphalt?

Asphalt Kingdom explains that asphalt is a composite mineral made up of a few key ingredients. Gravel, sand, and crushed stone are the primary ingredients used to make it. Bitumen is a binding ingredient that also makes up a small portion of its composition.

This works to hold all of the other ingredients together, resulting in the solid surfaces that make up roads, driveways, and more.

There are three main types of asphalt: hot mix, warm mix, and cold mix. The European Asphalt Pavement Association explains that each of these varieties is produced using different mixing conditions and temperatures based on the level of traffic, climate, and other variables at the application site. The ideal variety for higher traffic areas is hot mix asphalt. This variety is made using very high temperatures, which also makes it the most durable.

Warm mix asphalt is seen as a more environmentally-friendly option. It can be mixed under lower temperatures than the hot mix variety, only 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This requires less energy, releases fewer fumes, and provides a safer work environment for workers when spreading the material.

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Related Sources:

• ACI – Concrete Pavement

• BSI – Concrete Pavement

• API – Asphalt pavement

• BSI – Asphalt

• ASTM – Concrete Pavement

• ASTM – Asphalt Pavement

Related Questions:

• Is a concrete driveway a good idea?

• What is the difference between asphalt and concrete driveway?

• Is an asphalt driveway worth it?

• How logn does a asphalt driveway & concrete driveway last?