Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveway
| Factor | Asphalt | Concrete |
| Cost | $2-5 per square foot | $3-10 per square foot |
| Climate | Shrinks and expands with temperature flu ... | Cracks in extreme cold Salt/de-icer can ... |
| Maintenance and Repairs | Requires resealing six months after inst ... | Sealing not required, but done every fiv ... |
| Longevity | 20-25 years | 30-40 years |
How do you calculate the cost of a concrete driveway?
Upgrading a gravel driveway to a concrete driveway:
- Grading the existing drive and removing some material, if necessary for proper height
- Installation and finish of 4-6 inches of reinforced concrete
- Application of sealer
- Cost: $3.40 to $5.25 per square foot using 4 inches of concrete
- Cost: $4.35 to $6.50 per square foot using 6 inches of concrete
What is the average price of a concrete driveway?
The average is just above $3,000 or $6 per square foot. Factors like location, size, decorative elements, potential reinforcement and removing the existing surface can all influence that range. A simple concrete driveway ranges between $4 and $7 per square foot.
How to pick concrete vs. asphalt driveways?
- Cost: Much cheaper than alternatives which require demolition and replacement
- Construction Time: Can be used within hours and laid much quicker than pavers or concrete
- Easy to repair: Cracks can be easily filled to extend the life
- Longevity: Can last 30 years, depending on design and type of use
Which is better concrete or asphalt?
Concrete can stay as many as 10 degrees cooler than asphalt which makes it a better choice in climates with higher temperatures. By considering the scope of your project, your timeline and the weather, you’ll be able to choose the material that will work best for your particular situation
Is a concrete driveway worth it?
The combined strength and longevity make concrete a relatively good value for large areas of paving. As a driveway surface, concrete is more expensive than gravel and asphalt, but it is considerably less expensive than a driveway made with brick, cobblestone, or concrete pavers—and it typically outlasts all of these.
Is a concrete driveway more expensive than asphalt?
The initial cost to install a concrete driveway is $3 to $10 per square foot—double the price of asphalt.
What is the cheapest way to do a driveway?
A gravel driveway is by far the cheapest and quickest to install, especially if the existing driveway's sub-base is sound.
What type of driveway lasts the longest?
ConcreteConcrete is the old standby for driveways. Most suburban homes opt for this material for two big reasons: Concrete is typically the longest-lasting driveway surface, and, if installed properly, it is practically maintenance-free.
What is the difference between concrete and asphalt?
Concrete and asphalt are both mixtures of sand and crushed stone called aggregate. The difference is what binds the aggregate together . In concrete, cement binds the mixture and gives it a light gray appearance. Asphalt is bound with a black, viscous petroleum-based substance. Both come in assorted colors, stained or stamped for a decorative effect.
How much does a gravel driveway cost?
The cost of a gravel driveway is the cheapest at $1,500. Concrete driveways cost $3,900 on average and asphalt costs $4,500.
How much does it cost to install a driveway heating system?
You can install a driveway heating system under either type of material. The average cost to install under asphalt is just under $9,000. The average cost to install under concrete is just under $8,000.
What is concrete driveway?
Concrete or Cement Driveways. Often used interchangeably, concrete is a composite material held together with cement. Concrete is a mixture of crushed stone, sand and cement. Cement is a mixture of water, powdered rock and clay. Pros pour the cold mixture onto a prepared gravel surface and level it. After several days of curing, the surface is ...
How thick is concrete?
Concrete. A minimum thickness of four inches is necessary. An additional inch will increase load carrying capacity by 50 percent, but it will increase cost by 20 percent. It’s easier to determine load capacity for concrete.
What is asphalt driveway called?
Colloquially, people refer to asphalt driveways as “blacktop” and call roads, airplane runways or parking lots “pavement.”.
How long does it take to drive on asphalt?
Pros pour the hot mixture over a level, gravel base before pressing and smoothing it with a steamroller. You can park or drive a car on it within 24 hours.
How much does it cost to install an asphalt driveway?
The average asphalt driveway will cost from $2 to $6 per square foot. For example, laying a 600-square-foot driveway will cost approximately $283 in materials.
How much does it cost to build a concrete driveway?
Installing a concrete driveway, on the other hand, will cost $4 to $10 per square foot. Building a 600-square-foot driveway will cost approximately $868 in materials and about $2,126 in labor for a total of $2,994, an overall cost of $4.99 per square foot.
What is the difference between asphalt and concrete?
Both asphalt 1 and concrete have the basic ingredients of stone and sand in their composition. The difference is in the adhesive element that binds these ingredients together. For asphalt, this adhesive is tar, a byproduct of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel production, whereas the adhesive for concrete is cement.
How long does it take for asphalt to cure?
Because asphalt sets and hardens more quickly, it cures in a few days and can be driven on in three to five days. Due to the high moisture content in new concrete, a freshly poured driveway must cure for seven days before it can withstand the weight of a vehicle.
How long does an asphalt driveway last?
With proper maintenance, an asphalt driveway can last about 30 years. Without maintenance, the driveway can be unsightly and perhaps unusable after only five years. Even with a good maintenance record, the durability of asphalt cannot match that of concrete. A concrete driveway, which can last 50 years or more, ...
How long does it take to lay a concrete driveway?
The typical residential concrete driveway takes from one to three days to complete, not including curing time. An asphalt driveway will take about the same length of time to prepare and lay. The curing time, however, is less, as described below.
Do you need a foundation for a concrete driveway?
Professional installation is required for both asphalt and concrete driveways due to the labor and specialized equipment required. Also, both types need a strong foundation of gravel before the surface material is spread.
How much does it cost to install asphalt?
How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost? A basic asphalt driveway costs about $2 to $6 per square foot, including installation. That provides you with a base and a top coat.
What is asphalt driveway?
Asphalt Driveway Overview. Asphalt is one of the most common materials for driveways. Also referred to as blacktop for its coloring, asphalt is made using a combination of stones and sand, bound together with materials left over from the production of fuels like gasoline, diesel and kerosene.
What is the texture of asphalt?
Oily texture - Asphalt has an oily texture that softens in heat or direct sunlight. If the asphalt gets stuck to your shoes and you track it through the house, it can stain your floors.
How much does concrete cost?
Basic, construction-grade concrete costs about $5 to $10 per square foot, including installation. Opting for fancier, decorative versions such as stamped or colored concrete will add several dollars per square foot to the price. Very high-end concrete could cost as much as $15 per square foot.
How much does it cost to remove a driveway?
Removal of an existing driveway usually runs $50 to $60 per hour.
Is asphalt driveway better than concrete?
Asphalt Driveway Pros. Price - Asphalt is considerably less expensive than concrete. In some cases, it’s about half the price. Better in cold climates - Asphalt is less likely to crack in cold weather. It performs better than concrete in very harsh or snowy climates. Snow removal is also easier with asphalt.
Can you repair a crack in an asphalt driveway?
Asphalt driveways can be repaired or re-layered, while concrete generally needs to be replaced.
What is the difference between concrete and asphalt?
Concrete offers more visual options. In their most basic forms, asphalt is dark gray to black—hence its common name of “blacktop”—and concrete is pale gray. Unlike asphalt, though, concrete takes well to staining or tinting to just about any color you fancy. You can also stamp patterns into concrete or brush it for a textured finish.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
In general, if installed properly in a suitable climate and maintained regularly, your concrete drive way should last 30 to 40 years, while an asphalt driveway is generally good for 20 to 30 years. Neglect to install without an even, stable substrate of gravel —or be careless about proper maintenance—and either type of driveway can fail within a few years.
Why is my driveway sticky?
Climate is a major consideration when choosing between asphalt and concrete. If you live in an area with very hot summers, you might find an asphalt driveway becomes gooey or sticky when the temperature soars. The cycle of softening in high heat, then re-hardening once things cool down, can cause asphalt to crack or sag.
How long does it take for an asphalt driveway to cure?
You can normally use an asphalt driveway within a couple of days of installation. With concrete, you’ll wait at least a week before it fully cures enough for you to drive on it—something to keep it in mind if street parking is a challenge in your neighborhood!
Can you put a new top coat on asphalt?
It’s also relatively easy to apply a new topcoat of asphalt if the surface is heavily marred or showing its age. Concrete is tougher to repair, and patched spots are usually fairly obvious unless you plan on resurfacing the whole driveway. Photo: istockphoto.com.
Is it a must to seal a concrete driveway?
While it’s not a must-do for concrete driveways, sealing concrete helps cut down on fading—an important protective measure for a tinted driveway. Advertisement. When it comes to engine oil, gas drips, rust, and the rugged use driveways typically endure, the dark surface and matte finish of asphalt hides most stains and wear very well.
Is there a winner in the battle between asphalt and concrete?
There is no definite “winner” in the battle between asphalt and concrete; the decision comes down to which is best for your climate, your budget, and your tolerance for maintenance needs.
The similarities and main difference between asphalt and concrete
In fact, concrete and asphalt are somewhat similar, being heterogeneous and composed of aggregates bound together with a binding material. However, the main difference in their composition lies in the binder. In concrete, the binder is generally cement and water.
The seven key factors for comparing concrete vs asphalt driveways
The major comparison factors include cost, curing time, lifespan, aesthetics, frequent maintenance, repairs, and durability.
Cost of concrete vs asphalt driveways: is asphalt or concrete cheaper?
The cost of concrete or asphalt driveways per square foot can have a wide range, due to various controlling factors such as the location, size, surface preparation, thickness, exposure conditions, borders, colors, staining, stamping, sealing, and others.
Curing time: and when can you drive over new concrete and new asphalt?
It is generally recommended to wait at least 7 days before driving over new concrete, and preferably 10 to 14 days before parking a vehicle. In fact, normal concrete reaches about 65% of its strength after seven days of curing, and about 85-90% after 14 days.
Lifespan: how long does a driveway last?
A concrete driveway should last from 25 to 40 years on average with proper maintenance. In fact, there are many factors that can influence its lifespan, including ground preparation, quality of the mixture, design, exposure conditions, maintenance, and others.
Aesthetics
Concrete driveways can have a wide range of customizations. For example, one go for stamped concrete, with an almost endless variety of colors, patterns, and textures. Also, concrete can be stenciled, stained, etched, painted, brushed, and much more. Hence, concrete can be customized in many ways to add a unique decorative touch to a driveway.
Maintenance
Concrete driveways usually require routine maintenance, such as cleaning and sealing. When it comes to sealing, it is important to choose the adequate type of sealer with the required properties for your project.
How much does a concrete driveway cost?
A plain gray concrete driveway costs $4 to $8 per square foot. Adding a stain, basic border, and broom-finish texture increases the price to $8 to $12 per square foot. A stamped concrete driveway with multiple patterns, colors, decorative borders, and sealing costs $12 to $18 per square foot.
How much does it cost to install a concrete driveway?
A concrete driveway costs $1,600 to $6,400 to install or $4 to $8 per square foot on average. The cost to pour a new concrete driveway with decorative colors, borders, stamped patterns, and finishes is $8 to $18 per square foot. Old driveway removal adds $1 to $3 per square foot when replacing.
How much does stamped concrete cost?
Stamped concrete driveways cost $12 to $18 per square foot , depending on the number of colors and patterns. Stamped concrete, also called patterned or textured concrete, replicates the look of stone, brick, or tile. Installers use a texturized mat to imprint a pattern directly into the concrete.
How thick should a driveway be for a car?
A residential concrete driveway should be 4 inches thick to hold standard passenger cars. For heavier vehicles or RVs, a thickness of 5 to 6 inches is recommended, which increases the load-bearing capacity by 50%.
How much does it cost to pour concrete?
Cost to pour concrete driveway. The average cost to pour a 1,000 sq. ft. concrete driveway slab is $4,000 to $8,000 or $4 to $8 per square foot, depending on the size, shape, and decorative finishes. Small driveways may cost more per square foot because most installers have a minimum job price. Cost to pour concrete driveway.
How much does a driveway permit cost?
A concrete driveway permit costs $50 to $200, depending on location. Most cities require a permit for new driveway installations, but may waive the fee if there's already a paved apron connecting the property to a public street.
How much does it cost to remove a driveway?
Removing an old driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot, including demolition and hauling away the debris. Removal costs depend on the size, conditions, disposal fees, and if the concrete is reinforced with rebar or wire mesh.
How much does it cost to build a 600 square foot driveway?
The average 600-square-foot asphalt driveway will cost $283 in materials and $947 in labour for a total of $1,230, which works out to $2.05 per square foot. Costs for a stamped or colour top coat can go as high as $8 per square foot.
How much does it cost to install pavers?
Some homeowners have the requisite skills to install pavers on their own. On the other hand, some professional installers charge at least $50 per hour for site preparation, installation and cleanup.
What is interlocking pavers?
Interlocking pavers are made of cement or concrete and shaped in way that they interlock with similar pavers. This makes it possible to install them without any mortar. Interlocking pavers closely resemble#N#cobblestone pathways.
Why is a driveway important?
The driveway is a significant element of curb appeal because it’s one of the most noticeable features in the home. Asphalt and concrete have traditionally been the preferred materials for driveway construction. Interlocking stone pavers, however, are quickly becoming a common sight in many driveways due to their unique look and ease of installation.
How much does pavers cost?
Total material costs fall in the $6 per square foot to $8 per square foot range
Why is a driveway important in real estate?
The consensus among real estate professionals is that a home’s first impression plays a big part in how it fares in the market. The driveway is a significant element of curb appeal because it’s one of the most noticeable features in the home.
Do you need sealer on concrete driveways?
Sealers, on the other hand, are not strictly required for concrete driveways though they can be applied every few years to maintain custom finishes. Comparing the Costs of Interlocking Pavers, Asphalt and Concrete Driveways was last modified: May 6th, 2021 by Lucy. Lucy.