Before selecting the materials of your driveway, it is important to know the differences between concrete and asphalt.
Concrete and asphalt are both great materials for parking lots, driveways, and more. If you are
interested in potentially changing the parking lot at your property to concrete or asphalt, here’s
what you need to know. Today we will be discussing the core differences between concrete and
asphalt.
How Long Do They Last?
First things first, keep in mind that longevity is related to how well the pavement is maintained.
An asphalt pavement that is well-maintained will always last longer than a poorly-maintained
concrete parking lot. Assuming that you put the same amount of effort into each one, concrete
parking lots can last up to 30 years and asphalt parking lots can last up to 20 years, depending
on maintenance and use.
How Are They Made?
Asphalt is made from aggregates that are blended together, dried, and heated. Next, the entire
mixture is combined with liquid asphalt cement. The mixture is then transported to the
construction site. Concrete is made from a mix of cement, water, and both fine and coarse
aggregates mixed together. Concrete is known for being very malleable once it is mixed and
drying to a strong and hard finish.
Which is Better for Your Pavement?
At the end of the day, most people choose concrete driveways because of their durability and
lack of maintenance. However, asphalt is very attractive and can last even longer than concrete
as long as you have it regularly seal-coated and maintained. Asphalt pavement does not need
much curing time, so you could have your parking lot completely re-done in a short period of
time. Asphalt is also much easier than concrete to repair, as cracking and holes can be sealed
and patched as they occur. Concrete can take a long time to cure, up to seven days, so it might
not be the best choice for a property’s parking lot unless you can afford to move parking
elsewhere for an entire week.
Parking Lot Repairs and Maintenance from PTG Enterprises
PTG stands out as an industry leader due to our methodology of pavement management planning: a systematic, long-term approach to managing and extending the life of your pavement. We will work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy to extend and maximize the lifespan of your asphalt and concrete surfaces and care for all aspects of your grounds which keep them beautiful and dry, including storm drains. We offer commercial concrete, masonry, asphalt installation, repair, and paving throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, and Flickr.
Tags: asphalt, Asphalt driveway, Concrete, concrete driveway, Driveway maintenance
