Every year, Americans spend billions of dollars on asphalt paving for driveways, parking lots, and other projects.
Asphalt regularly ranks as one of the most popular materials to use for driveways and driving surfaces, and for good reason.
There are lots of benefits that come with investing in asphalt driveways and using asphalt for other paving projects.
Read on to learn more about all the benefits that asphalt has to offer homeowners and business owners looking to pave or repave their driveways.
Fast Installation
If you want to have your driveway installed as soon as possible, asphalt is definitely one of the best materials to work with. Professionals can usually lay an asphalt driveway in just one or two days, depending on factors like the size of the project and the weather.
A concrete driveway takes much longer to lay and much longer to set. In most cases, with an asphalt driveway, you can drive and park on it within two days of completion. Concrete driveways take about a week to cure before you can drive on them.
Lower Costs
Asphalt is significantly less expensive than concrete or other paving materials, whether you’re using it for driveways, parking lots, or even city roads.
If you’re working with a strict budget, an asphalt driveway will help you get a lot more bang for your buck.
The materials themselves cost less than other paving materials. The labor costs are also lower since the project can be completed much faster.
Smooth, Seamless Appearance
As far as appearance goes, asphalt driveways often look nicer than other types of driveways as well.
They have a smooth, seamless look, and they tend to give houses more of a warm and inviting atmosphere from the second someone pulls up and takes a look at them.
Asphalt driveways come with different tints and finishes, too, so you can choose an option that works best for your home and gives it the type of appearance you’re looking for.
You can also invest in finishes that make it more slip-resistant and provide your family and visitors with more traction when they walk across it.
Durability
For those who prioritize durability above all else, asphalt driveways are a great option to consider. This is because asphalt isn’t as finicky as concrete.
If concrete isn’t laid exactly right, it may flake or crack. Asphalt is more durable and flexible, and you don’t have to worry about it as much as concrete.
Less Maintenance
Thanks to its durability, there’s less maintenance required with an asphalt driveway compared to a concrete driveway or one paved with other materials.
In most cases, all you have to do to maintain a concrete driveway is to keep it swept on a regular basis and have a protective sealant applied to it on a regular basis (every couple of years).
Long-Lasting
If you take good care of your asphalt driveway (and, as you can see, that’s not hard to do), it’ll last you a long time, too, with very few issues to repair.
On average, an asphalt driveway can last between 12 and 20 years.
The exact amount of time it lasts will depend on other factors like installation quality, maintenance, climate, and usage.
In general, though, you can expect your asphalt driveway to last quite a while before you need to think about resurfacing or replacements.
More Weatherproof
Asphalt driveways can handle inclement weather better than driveways paved with other materials, too.
During the winter, it’s common for concrete to deteriorate, especially in the face of extreme shifts in temperature or when it’s exposed to salt and other chemicals.
Asphalt driveways are less vulnerable to these conditions, though. They’re less likely to flake or deteriorate and can handle weather shifts more easily.
Asphalt driveways, because of their dark color, also help snow to melt faster. This means you’ll have to worry less about shoveling in order to get out of your driveway on snowy days.
Various Options
Many people don’t realize that there are several different types of asphalt from which they can choose. When you’re looking into an asphalt driveway for your home or business, some of the most popular options you can use include the following:
- Porous Asphalt: This is one of the most cost-effective options that’s been around for decades
- Perpetual pavement: This option uses a multi-layer paving process for long-lasting and durable results.
- Hot-Mix asphalt: This option allows for driveways to be paved sooner, and it withstands freezing and thawing better than some other options.
- Warm-Mix Asphalt: This allows for asphalt paving at much lower temperatures to save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
If you’re not sure which type of asphalt you ought to use for your property, you can always ask a professional for their opinion and recommendations.
Easy to Repair
Asphalt driveways are quite durable, so you don’t have to worry about cracks or other issues forming very often.
In the event that you do need a repair to your driveway, though, it’s quite easy to take care of asphalt damage. Most of the time, asphalt driveway repairs take very little time to complete.
Because of the dark color of the asphalt, it’s also harder to tell that a repair took place at all. This ensures that your driveway will look great for a long time and won’t show signs of wear and tear or stains from parked cars.
Learn More About Asphalt Driveways Today
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why you might choose asphalt driveways. They’re a great-looking, durable option that’s perfect for homes and commercial properties.
Do you think an asphalt driveway if right for you? Do you want to learn more about alternatives to asphalt before you make a decision? Either way, we’ve got you covered at Norfolk Paving Pros.
If you’re located in or around the Norfolk area and want to learn more about an asphalt driveway for your home or business, we can help.
Contact us today for more information about our services or to get a free quote.
