A good driveway changes the property value and aesthetics of your whole house. You’ll have a few different choices for driveway paving, like concrete, asphalt, and stones. Each of these types of paving have certain benefits and drawbacks.
Asphalt Driveways
An asphalt driveway can maintain great condition and quality for at least 10 years, and as long as 35 years. This long lasting structure allows you to rest easy in the investment in your home value.
Build
Asphalt driveways have a solid foundation at the bottom which prevents the weather and elements from damaging the asphalt. If the foundation is not laid well, and the soil not treated properly, it will drastically reduce the lifespan of your driveway. Good driveway contractors know that only well-drained soils with sand in them serve as a proper foundation. If the soil is poorly compacted or has a lot of clay in it, it will not support the asphalt driveway properly. In this case, the foundation must be adjusted.
Cost
Asphalt driveways are generally a cheaper solution than concrete, installed with crude oil. They can be completed really quickly as well, which tends to reduce costs. Plus, if you’re putting in a really long driveway it’s much easier to use asphalt than to use concrete. Additionally, concrete is easier to shape and sculpt in smaller sections.
Concrete Driveways
Concrete driveways are a bit more expensive, but they last almost 50% longer than an asphalt driveway will last. Plus, concrete driveways generally require less maintenance which keeps the long term cost down.
Curb Appeal
Concrete driveways look amazing! They often match the color schemes of houses far better than an asphalt driveway was. But if you’re putting in a larger or longer driveway, concrete is often not the best option. Concrete is great for odd shapes and smaller sections.
Surface and Environment
A concrete driveway has a nicer surface than an asphalt driveway. There are no oils on it that can get on shoes and tires during hot weather. Asphalt can begin to break down with oils in weather, but a concrete driveway won’t do that. This helps the driveway maintain it’s shape and quality over time. The same two driveways, one asphalt and one concrete, won’t keep their shape and quality in the same way.
General Driveway Considerations
Plants and roots are some of the biggest threats to the longevity of your driveway and the process of driveway paving. A good contractor will help you plan and place your driveway far from root systems. In some cases, you’ll have to clear foliage before placing down the driveway. There are certain soil sterilization tactics that you can use to limit the chances of roots cracking your surface.
Another potential problem with the driveway is drainage. Good driveways drain quickly when water gets on them, with a crown that slopes about a fourth of an inch for every foot of the asphalt. That’s enough slope to get water off the surface quickly. Drainage pipes are usually not needed if the foundation of the driveway is solid.
What to Look for in a Residential Driveway Contractor
- Past jobs: always look at past job sites to see how the contractor has performed in the past.
- Customer support: are you easily able to contact the company? Do they seem to be able to answer your questions?
- Price: Make sure that you get an estimated cost so that you have an idea of what the driveway will run you. You should get quotes from a couple of different contractors to get a great price.
- Experience and knowledge: Learn about how long the contractor has been in business and what driveway paving projects they’ve worked on.
