When choosing a driveway material, you have two main options: asphalt and concrete. While both are made of stone and sand and utilize a gravel base, they each adhere differently and offer distinct levels of strength and performance. To help you find the best solution, here is what you need to know about the differences between asphalt and concrete.

Asphalt

The stone and sand in asphalt are held together by an adhesive made of tar, which is a petroleum product. This helps it cure faster, usually within a few days of installation and makes for a strong and durable—yet flexible—surface. This flexibility is key to withstanding the damage that weather and routine traffic can bring. There is also less risk of cracking with asphalt paving.

Asphalt provides a smooth surface that is typically dark gray or black in color, though you may be able to find a few different finishes. The dark, sleek appearance is another major benefit of asphalt, as it integrates seamlessly with any property and design scheme and helps anchor the look and feel of the space.

Even though asphalt is made from petroleum products, it is recyclable. So, after your driveway has given you many years of dependable use, it can be crushed and reused as an aggregate base.

Concrete

Concrete is held together with Portland cement. Even though the words concrete and cement are often used interchangeably, they are two different things. Cement is a component of concrete, along with stone, sand, and water. Because it has a higher moisture content than asphalt, a concrete driveway will take longer to cure, often a week or more. 

Asphalt surfaces are usually sealed but concrete is not. This makes it more susceptible to damage, such as cracks from heavy use and displacement from frost heaves.

You have more color, style, and texture options with concrete. You can more readily match the driveway to the color or architectural style of your home.

Concrete, like asphalt, is recyclable. Recycled concrete aggregates can be used in any application that requires concrete.

An asphalt driveway offers benefits and peace of mind beyond what you'd get with concrete. Lyons & Hohl Paving Inc., has been providing asphalt surfaces to the East Earl, PA, and Tri-County area since 1989. They offer residential and commercial paving services, including installation, resurfacing, and repair. Call (717) 355-9219 to request a quote or visit them online to explore their residential services in more detail.