There are a few building materials for driveways and deciding on which one is best for you will depend solely on your needs.
Asphalt and concrete are two of the most used materials for driveways due to their qualities, however, each of them has different characteristics that make them unique.
Here are some comparisons between asphalt and concrete driveways:
Cost
On average, asphalt driveways cost about $3 to $5 per square foot. Concrete runs from $4 to $10 per square foot.
Lifespan
With good maintenance, concrete can last up to 30 years, while asphalt lasts 20 years on average.
Repairs
If a concrete driveway is not properly maintained it will eventually crack. To prevent this, good maintenance habits will make the difference as well as repair existing cracks.
The main difference between repairing asphalt and concrete is that to repair cracks in asphalt your contractor will have to remove and replace the cracked sections of your driveway and with concrete, you can repair without replacing the piece.
Eco-friendliness
Concrete is the most used man-made material in the world for many reasons, but one of them is because concrete is 100% recyclable, so instead of ending in landfills, concrete can be broken down and used for other construction purposes or in new pavement.
Color properties
In San Diego we have great weather, we have sunlight almost all year round, but during summer months the heat can be a serious issue that can affect our lives, so when it comes to choosing a concrete driveway material, you should consider that dark colors absorb more heat than light colors.
So, which building material is the best for you? When it comes to durability, environmental impact, and safety, concrete is the best option for street, driveway, and floor construction without a doubt, but if you still have more questions about concrete construction please give us a call, at Agundez Concrete, we’d love to help you learn more about the concrete services we offer for San Diego homeowners.
Thanks for the info on here. Sometimes we get calls for an asphalt driveway but customers will often ask if concrete would be a better option. We tell them the same things you share here and we want what is best for them and not for us. If concrete makes more sense to them we go ahead and tell them to go with that option.