What is the difference between pavement and concrete

Once asphalt has been paved, it can be driven on within hours. Concrete, on the other hand, with its base substrate of cement, takes several days to cure before it can be walked or driven on. Although concrete is an aesthetically-pleasing option for sidewalks, driveways, and patios, the costs for initial installation and subsequent maintenance are quite expensive compared to asphalt. Installation costs for asphalt are often half the price of concrete and asphalt paving is finished and usable in significantly less time.

This is not always the case with concrete, which must be hauled away and disposed of in an environmentally approved facility. Certain types of asphalt, such as porous or permeable asphalt , also helps with water drainage by allowing the water to percolate through the pavement into the soil below.

With concrete, the water must run off the sides into streams and the local water table. Asphalt is often considered superior to concrete for certain paving projects because asphalt is much easier to work with than concrete. There may be more preventative maintenance with asphalt materials, but this serves to keep the asphalt looking and functioning like new for a longer period of time. Concrete, on the other hand, often loses its new look much more quickly.

With proper maintenance, asphalt pavement can last more than twenty years and when it is replaced, the cost is often significantly less than concrete. Still not sure about the difference?

Contact Wolf Paving with your questions and receive knowledgeable answers from the experts. With over 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs. Fun fact 1: Cement is the most widely used material in existence and is second only to water as the most-consumed resource on Earth!

Fun fact 2: The chemical process for hydraulic cement was actually found by ancient Romans who used volcanic ash with lime added to the mixture. Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, pebbles, or crushed rock and water, and is the primary material used to construct buildings.

Since raw concrete surfaces are usually pretty porous — making them susceptible to chemicals like oil and dyes — different finishes can be applied to protect them and improve their appearance. Aesthetic and Design When it comes to the look of your driveway, pavement material plays an important role. Climate and Weather Homeowners living in very cold or hot regions should consider how climate and weather patterns affect their pavement decisions.

Here are a few takeaways to remember as you continue to make the best decision for your needs and budget: Characteristics of an Asphalt Driveway Asphalt is less expensive Asphalt is a softer material, leading it to deteriorate faster and easier than concrete repairs. With proper maintenance, expensive repairs can be avoided.

It does not have the creative design aspect that concrete does, but recent developments now allow asphalt to be mixed with coloring or be sealed with color tints.

It requires occasional resurfacing and resealing every three to five years. Characteristics of a Concrete Driveway: Concrete is more durable than asphalt. Because it is a less flexible material, it cracks in freezing temperatures, and many people turn to concrete patching products.

The only maintenance required is occasional degreasing. Resurfacing a concrete driveway offers more opportunities for creative appearance. It can be stamped with patterns, tinted to different colors, given different finishes, or engraved with designs. Though it is more durable overall, when damages do occur, concrete repair is harder and costlier than asphalt repair. Conclusion Overall, there are many factors to consider when choosing between an asphalt driveway or concrete driveway.