When property owners want to have pavement installed for the first time, they might need to choose between concrete and asphalt. They're likely aware that roads and parking lots are generally paved in blacktop, and they've seen some driveways made of the material. Asphalt costs less to install, which is why people tend to choose it for larger projects. Concrete, however, has distinct advantages that lead property owners to select it for shorter driveways, patios, sidewalks, and smaller parking lots.
Cooler Surface Temperature
In hot sunshine, concrete stays significantly cooler than blacktop. That's important for patios and sidewalks on residential property where people might like to go barefoot.
No Changes in Hardness
Hot sun rays beating on asphalt also make it softer. If a car stays parked in the same place for weeks at a time, this can lead to permanent dents where the wheels are. That doesn't happen with concrete.
Better Longevity
One primary reason people choose concrete is substantially better longevity. Concrete driveways built generations ago are typically still in excellent condition, with minimal maintenance required. In contrast, the weather has negative effects on asphalt. Ongoing ultraviolet light exposure, along with repeated freezing and thawing, causes flaws and overall deterioration.
No Routine Maintenance Needed
Because of the cracks and holes that regularly develop in blacktop due to weather and traffic, the material requires routine upkeep. Without someone filling in those flaws as they occur, the edges of the holes and cracks continue to crumble. That makes the problems larger. In addition, exposed edges of asphalt pavement deteriorate over time and require repair. This can happen along the edges of driveways, for instance.
Minor Repairs and Preventive Strategies
The most frequently seen problems with concrete pavement are small holes and cracks. Unlike in asphalt, these flaws do not grow larger, and cracks can largely be prevented.
A little hole might appear when a bit of aggregate near the surface pops out during freezing and thawing conditions. A concrete contractor can patch this flaw so it is barely visible except on close inspection. This isn't necessarily a concern on commercial property, but homeowners appreciate their patio looking perfect.
Cracks are prevented by installing one or more contraction joints in the pavement. When stress occurs due to the ground settling or shifting, those joints allow the concrete slabs to move instead of break. This explains why municipal sidewalks are not poured as one long area of pavement. Instead, they are made of square slabs separated by joints.
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