Whenever construction related topics are discussed, the use of asphalt VS concrete always creates a bit of controversy. This is especially true when Divalashes the discussion focuses on paving. Even the word paving these days is used to describe mostly asphalt. But the truth is pavement is any material used to created roads or driveways. The most common modern paving methods however are asphalt and concrete.
Both asphalt and concrete have a long history in the building industry because of the variety of ways the materials can be used. However, in regard to paving parking lots and driveways the biggest argument has mainly been about initial cost.
Now comes the inevitable question, “Which is the better material for parking lot and driveway surfaces?” The answer may surprise nearly everyone. And if you are a property or business owner, the results documented by industry experts as well as scientific studies are quite revealing.
According to Wikipedia, Discovery.com and Industry Sources, here are the latest findings. We’ll start with Concrete Paving:
The Complete Details About Concrete Paving:
• – Concrete is more prone to cracking and buckling because it’s rigid and dense design. Tree Roots, Ground Movements, Freeze Thaw Cycles and soil movement are huge contributors to concretes deterioration.
• – According to the Ohio Highway Commission, concrete costs of $70 to $100 per cubic yard were more than double the costs of asphalt paving. All Ohio highway paving is now done with asphalt.
• – Concrete paving of parking lot and driveway surfaces requires more time and initial cost than asphalt paving. This hold especially true the larger a project gets.
• – Repairs to concrete paving surfaces are more costly to repair than asphalt. They also don’t blend as well as asphalt paving does. Especially after asphalt gets freshly seal coated.