Factors That Affect Your Driveway's Finish

There are a few different factors that influence your choice of asphalt or concrete for a driveway or parking lot. The appearance, weather resistance, maintenance, repairs and cost are the top considerations.

Asphalt vs. Concrete

Let's do a comparison between the two types of finishes for driveways and parking areas:

Finished Appearance

• Your standard asphalt driveway finish is dark black and smooth. You can add some design enhancements such as Belgian Block borders and aprons.
• Concrete can be tinted, stained and stamped with patterns, allowing you to decide on a one-of-a-kind finish.

Weather Resistance

• In very hot weather, asphalt becomes malleable and can be damaged by heavy objects. In the winter, asphalt is resistant to salt for de-icing.
• Concrete can hold up to the very hot weather and can handle heavy loads and vehicles. Concrete has a tendency to crack and heave during freezing weather, as well as to be damaged by salt.

Maintenance

• Asphalt must be sealcoated every 2-3 years after it has fully cured to refresh the look and protect it for longevity.
• Concrete stains easily, but can be protected with a concrete sealer every few years.

Repairs

• The flexibility of asphalt lends itself to easily repairing cracks that blend into the original surface. Asphalt has many options for repairs to suit a multitude of scenarios.
• Repairs to concrete stand out, due to fading and discoloration of the original finish. Options to repair concrete are limited.

Cost

• Initially, the cost to install asphalt is low compared with concrete, but frequent sealcoating pushes up the maintenance costs.
• Concrete can be expensive to install, especially with custom finishes, but it is more durable and requires less maintenance.

Make the Right Decision for Your Home

There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to both types of finishes. At Maintain It All, we have the expertise to help you make the best choices for your home's exterior. Reach out today and talk to our team about choosing asphalt or concrete for your driveway.