Residential driveways are commonly made from concrete and asphalt. Many homeowners want to know about the maintenance and installation cost of each material before proceeding with the exterior building of their home. Asphalt driveways are a more cost-effective option, but are they the best choice for your home? 

Precision Asphalt Maintenance wants to share knowledge with homeowners on how asphalt is applied, what it can do for your driveway, and if concrete may be a better option for your specific home. We will compare both to help you make an informed decision for your home. 

How Is Asphalt Made And How Is It Applied?

Asphalt starts as a liquid and is made of aggregates and bitumen. Bitumen is a liquid cement and is the binder for asphalt, while aggregates consist of sand, stone dust, and small crushed rock to make the structure. Asphalt is heated and poured to make roads and driveways. After the mixture is poured it is then compacted using an asphalt roller. 

What Is Concrete And How Is It Applied?

Concrete is made very similar to asphalt but it uses water and cement as the binder combined with aggregates. This means that it is cooler and dries quicker than asphalt. Concrete is more versatile as it is used for sidewalks, driveways, pools, patios, and much more. It is durable but can crack and chip over time. 

Appearance

Every aspect of your home needs to look good and fit the aesthetics of the exterior design. Concrete is usually considered a more attractive option by homeowners because it comes in many different shades and variations. Concrete can be stained or coated to any color or mix of colors. This will give your home a more elegant look. 

Asphalt is usually less visually appealing because of its dark color. It can be dyed or painted a different color but usually doesn’t look as clean as concrete once painted. 

Affordability

Asphalt is less expensive than concrete and is a great option for first-time homeowners. The installation for asphalt driveways is quick which means that you will only need to pay installers for one day typically. Over time though, you will need to spend more money to upkeep asphalt and make repairs. 

Concrete is more expensive, but it lasts for a lot longer than asphalt. Depending on where you live and how often you are using your driveway, concrete will require fewer repairs down the road. 

Lifespan And Potential Damage

Each material that is used for driveways will only last if it is properly maintained. Concrete lasts up to 50 years with proper care whereas asphalt lasts around 30 years. Asphalt can see more major damage in just a short lifespan like potholes or cracking. Asphalt driveways will look their best when they are applied with a sealant and maintained properly each year.

Cleaning And Maintenance

Exterior parts of your home are exposed to weather, deterioration, and extreme temperatures. Performing maintenance on the exterior of your home, driveway, curbing and windows will ensure your home stands out from your neighbors. 

One way to protect your concrete or asphalt driveways is sealants. Sealing prevents extra moisture from getting underneath your driveway. Sealants will prevent early deterioration and oxidation which will prevent your asphalt driveway from looking lackluster. 

Concrete on the other hand doesn’t require to be sealed. Degreasers will be needed to remove oil drips and chemical stains. Concrete cracks easily and is much harder to repair than asphalt. It is almost impossible to resurface concrete, so it will need to be fully replaced. 

Asphalt Driveways With Precision Asphalt Maintenance

Before applying asphalt driveways, we take extra care to inspect the surrounding soil and drainage capabilities. We also work to understand how much traffic the asphalt will see so that we can recommend maintenance and cleaning options. Precision Asphalt Maintenance takes pride in the details and helping you have the best end result possible. 
Beyond asphalt driveways, we offer crack sealing, slurry sealing, line stripping, excavation, and grading in the Northern Utah area. You can trust our technicians to get the job done effectively and quickly. Contact us for a free quote!

Have you ever wondered why pavers use asphalt for roads? In the United States, almost all roads are paved with asphalt. The black and sticky substance is commonplace in many areas and is easily recognizable because over 90% of roads are paved with asphalt. It is paved onto predetermined areas to help create a smooth driving experience for all.

Back in 1870, most of the roads were made of concrete, so why the switch? We will answer some common questions about the use of asphalt for roads in this blog. 

Smooth Drive For All Vehicles

The main reason why contractors use asphalt for roads is to create a better experience for the driver. Asphalt creates a smooth surface that helps the tires of your car to better grip while they are driving. Concrete has less traction than asphalt, so drivers on asphalt roads can drive safer and smoother. 

Longevity And Durability

Asphalt has a long lifespan, which means that it needs limited maintenance and repairs over many years. While roads will need to be repaired every so often, using asphalt for roads is much more durable than other materials. Interstates, highways, and areas with high traffic need a durable material to prevent potholes and cracks from appearing daily. 

Asphalt is made of a mixture of aggregates, a binder, and a filler. Aggregates usually consist of ground-up sand or rocks which are then bound together with bitumen as the binder. With multiple materials working together, asphalt can hold its own against weather and heavy vehicles. 

Ease Of Application

The laying of asphalt and applying a seal coating is a fairly quick process. It can also be done one lane at a time, which means that entire roads don’t need to be shut down during the repaving process. Using asphalt for roads helps to minimize disruptions to daily life.

Other Benefits Of Asphalt

While many of the benefits of asphalt apply specifically to roads, there are benefits to using it as your driveway, in parking lots, around schools, and more! Here are some of the other benefits of asphalt:

• High skid resistance
• Noise reduction
• Low maintenance costs
• Snow melts faster
• Increase fuel efficiency for vehicles
• Eco friendly
• Lower construction time

Different Types Of Asphalt And What They Are Used For

Hot Mix Asphalt: The asphalt for roads is usually a hot mix asphalt. This type is flexible and weather resistant. It is heated and poured at a temperature of 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It also cools quickly, so it can require some expertise to apply. 

Warm Mix: This mix is relatively new to the paving industry but has been helpful in extending the paving season because it cools slowly. It is heated to anywhere between 30 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and it creates fewer greenhouse gases when heated. 

MC Cold Mix: The cold mix is used for patching or only in low-traffic areas. It is not as durable as hot or warm mixes but can be used for temporary repairs when the weather is cooler. 

Dense Graded Mixes: This is suitable for all traffic types and is great for leveling or patching needs. This hot mix is impermeable which gives it added durability and less risk of cracking.

Porous Asphalt: Porous asphalt allows water to drain through it to infiltrate the soil below. This is commonly used for driveways and playgrounds. When done by a professional, this mix can last up to 20 years. 

Asphalt Repair With Precision Asphalt Maintenance

Precision Asphalt Maintenance offers asphalt services to Northern Utah and beyond. We help pave roads, commercial projects, and driveways, and we also help with asphalt repair, sealing, and pothole repair. 

If you are looking for durable asphalt, our team can help provide you with a clean application and smooth finish. Precision Asphalt Maintenance offers quality installation at low prices. With over a decade of experience, our company can take asphalt projects to the next level. Contact us or request a quote today!