One of the most crucial factors to take into account while constructing or renovating the driveway or pavement of your commercial property is the material. It’s important to choose a material that looks great and is highly durable for pavements because they receive a lot of traffic and are exposed to different climatic conditions.

For paving, concrete and asphalt are the two most used materials. Bitumen, sand, gravel, and crushed rock are combined to create asphalt, which is then heated to make it more malleable. Cement, water, aggregate (such as sand and gravel), and other additives are all combined to create concrete. These two materials are significantly different in their characteristics and how they affect the final result.

To learn how asphalt and concrete differ, continue reading.

Key Differences Between Concrete and Asphalt

There were traditionally two types of pavement materials: flexible and stiff. Concrete is a solid sort of paving material, whereas asphalt is a flexible type that is poured thinly over a base.

Installation Period

Be sure to allow for a few days of curing time if you decide on concrete paving. On the other hand, asphalt is ready in a few hours and can be used as soon as it has completely cured. Asphalt is a great option if you want as little disruption as possible to your normal routine. If you’re a homeowner paving your driveway, you can park there again by the end of the day. If you’re a property owner paving a parking lot, building visitors will only need to park elsewhere for a couple of hours before the parking lot is ready to use.

Maintenance

Concrete pavements don’t require as much sealing as asphalt pavements, which need to be done every three to five years and six months to a year following installation.

Asphalt pavements are more porous than concrete ones, which means they may absorb more water. Concrete does not require sealing with an impervious surface since it does not absorb moisture as readily as asphalt.

Design and Aesthetics

The majority of the time, appearance also plays a significant role in choosing the pavement material. Concrete pavements can range in color depending on the type of cement used, but asphalt pavements are often black or dark gray.

Durability

Concrete and asphalt both require maintenance as they age and deteriorate. If properly maintained, asphalt pavements can endure up to 30 years, with concrete pavement lasting up to 50.

Cost

Concrete paving costs about twice as much as asphalt up front, but on the plus side, it doesn’t require regular maintenance as frequently as asphalt does.

Asphalt, on the other hand, is the more economical option for businesses or individuals looking to save money. While regular sealing is required, if you stick to your maintenance schedule, your asphalt pavement can hold up just as well as a concrete pad.

If you need asphalt paving services for your personal or commercial property, look no further than Tristar Paving. We’re here to help your property’s upcoming paving project be a success. Get in touch today for more information on our services or for your free estimate!