Concrete VS. Asphalt: What’s Best For My Needs?

Concrete and asphalt are the primary options when it comes to paving your sidewalk, driveway or parking lot for an affordable price. Driveways and sidewalks can also be done with pavers but the cost is generally greater when choosing paver options along with more expensive to maintain.

Commercial Property Paving From Largo, FL to The Greater United States

When it comes to commercial property paving, in most situations asphalt is going to be the recommended option as these surfaces see much higher traffic numbers. The increase in traffic yields to faster degeneration of the surface and asphalt tends to stand of the test of time better than concrete. Another primary factor when it come to commercial parking lots is the visibility of the stripping. Stripping refers to the white boundary lines that are painted within the lot to direct vehicles where to park, enter and exit the lots. The naturally darker color of the asphalt is much better contrast to make these lines visible.
Cost also plays a factor for commercial paving and asphalt comes in a lower price point for both material and paving costs.

Residential Property Paving

Unlike commercial paving, asphalt and concrete options are one a much more even playing field for home owners looking for a paving solution. One of the top reasons home owners are choosing concrete over asphalt boils down to aesthetics. The darker look of asphalt can be a turn off for some as it does not always match the look of the home as well as a lighter color concrete may. When comparing the two surface paving options, here’s a quick list of pro’s and cons:

• Asphalt Driveway Pros

  Less expensive: Asphalt driveways tend cost less than concrete ranging from $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot.
  Long term, asphalt tends to be a lower cost to maintain as cracks are less expensive to fill and also tend to be much more aesthetically pleasing then the look of cracks repaired on concrete.
  When properly maintained, expensive repairs can likely be avoided.

• Asphalt Driveway Cons

  May need resealing within a year or two.
  In general, asphalt is not the preferred option for aesthetic reasons among home owners.

• Concrete Driveway Pros

  More aesthetically pleasing according to home owners. Can also be decorative if sought after.
  Does not need to be resealed.
  Generally more durable than asphalt.

• Concrete Driveway Cons

  More Expensive: Concrete driveway paving typically runs from $4.00 to $7.00 per square foot however, when decorative details are added these costs and more then double.
  Cracks in the surface are more expensive to fix and the final product of a concrete crack repair does not blend as well as asphalt, making it somewhat of an eye-sore.