Looking To Install A New Driveway? Learn The Benefits Asphalt Has Over Concrete
Asphalt and concrete are the two most commonly used materials for constructing a driveway. If you need a new driveway constructed, you may find yourself debating between the two. Asphalt has an advantage over concrete in a variety of areas. Here are a few of the benefits that asphalt has over concrete:
An Asphalt Driveway Can Be Used Faster
If you are looking to have a driveway installed on your property, odds are, you want to use the driveway quickly. Unfortunately, you have to wait longer when a concrete driveway is laid than you do with an asphalt one. A concrete driveway has to fully cure before any cars can be driven on the driveway. While the exact time frame can vary based on the type of concrete used and weather conditions, you typically have to wait at least a week before driving on a new concrete surface. On the flip side, asphalt cures much faster and you can typically drive on and use this type of surface in 24 to 48 hours.
Snow and Ice Melt Faster on Asphalt
If you live in a cold weather climate, asphalt may have a particular benefit that may appeal to you. Asphalt is black in color. This helps to attract and retain heat from the sun. Once the sun comes out, the asphalt surface begins to absorb the sun's heat, which helps it to heat up faster than concrete does. This helps asphalt to more rapidly melt snow and ice from your surface. This helps to reduce the amount of salt that needs to be used or the amount of shoveling you have to do.
Asphalt is Cheaper
The last benefit that asphalt has over concrete is that asphalt is cheaper than concrete. On average, it costs about $2.50 to $4.00 per square foot to install an asphalt driveway. Costs exceed $6.00 per square foot to install a concrete one. It is important to note that costs can vary based on the region you live in and the quality of the material used. But as a general rule of thumb, asphalt is less expensive than concrete in most regions. If budget is a big impact on your decision, then asphalt is the clear winner.
If you are interested in obtaining an estimate for an asphalt driveway, contract residential paving contractors. They can tell you how much it would cost to construct an asphalt driveway on your property and how much time the project would take to complete.
Contact a company like New England Paving for more information and assistance.
