Why Asphalt Paving is better than Concrete
When it comes to installing new driveways or making new roads, one is stuck between the choices of using asphalt or concrete. Although there are several other material choices such as brick pavers or gravel at the low end, the most common and popular are concrete and asphalt. However, each carries their pros and cons, but still, asphalt paving is better than concrete. Many countries are already switching over to asphalt as it is cheaper and carries some major advantages over the concrete roads. So, which of the two is the best choice? Read on to find out.
Concrete and Asphalt Paving
Asphalt mix is made of aggregates comprised of gravel, sand, and stone along with liquid asphalt, which acts as an oil-based glue to holds everything together. Concrete is made from rock, limestone and water and is the most commonly used manmade material.
Here is why Asphalt is preferred over Concrete.
- Maintenance
Concrete lasts for a longer time, but asphalt driveways are less costly. If the concrete road breaks down, the team has to replace the whole concrete slab. Moreover, if one has used the wrong de-icing product, the concrete driveways can suffer heavy damage. Asphalt may need more maintenance, but it is easier to repair as compared to concrete. Repairing asphalt road is easy, and the older layer can be layered over. - Costs
The cost of paving a road with concrete is higher as compared to asphalt paving. Asphalt is still less expensive as compared to concrete and takes lesser time to work with as it dries faster. Moreover, as it is a recyclable material, it can be reused, and this can further lower the costs. A basic asphalt driveway will cost you about $2 to $5 per square foot while in the case of concrete, the costs can touch $10 per square foot. - Safety
During the rainy and the winter season, the concrete roads get slippery due to rain and snow, and this can raise the risks of accidents. Asphalt roads provide better skid resistance and traction for vehicles and keep the roads free of ice and snow during the winters.
The hot, dark and sticky asphalt is poured onto a bed of heavier aggregate to make a parking lots or driveways, a steamroller pressed into it. Once the asphalt cools, it gets strong enough to withstand traffic, because of its extremely hard and durable nature. The removal and replacement of asphalt are relatively easier, and moreover, Asphalt is 100% recyclable. One can work faster with Asphalt, and the construction projects can be opened for traffic much faster as compared to concrete. It is an inexpensive task to handle any Asphalt crack repair, and it can be easily done by a single person.
Concrete carries its advantages as compared to asphalt for roads, but asphalt scores higher on the essential issues of maintenance, safety, and costs. The traffic bearing ability of both asphalt and concrete pavement are similar. Resurfacing with asphalt adds to the structural integrity, and it makes for a much better driving surface under higher volumes and weight of traffic.
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