To help you choose, we’ll compare each aspect of asphalt and concrete. Read on to discover every detail you need to know about these two driveway materials.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\n Get a preliminary home value estimate in as little as two minutes. Our tool uses information from multiple sources to give you a range of value based on current market trends.<\/p>\n \n While asphalt and concrete may both be equally popular choices for driveways, there are a few key differences to note:<\/p>\n Similar to blacktop<\/a>, asphalt<\/a> is a mixture of aggregates like gravel and sand, with a binder known as asphalt cement that is usually a thick, liquid form of petroleum called bitumen<\/a>.<\/p>\n Asphalt tends to have more give and flexibility than concrete, making it easier on the body should you use your driveway to exercise or play sports<\/a> like basketball. It also offers better shoe grip than concrete.<\/p>\n Often used interchangeably with the term “cement,” concrete<\/a> is primarily made up of three components: water, aggregates like rock, sand, and gravel, and a powdered binding agent called cement.<\/p>\n One big benefit of concrete for driveways is its pale gray color, so it reflects sunlight and stays cooler in summer. Concrete is considered an ideal surface for some ball sports<\/a> because it provides a harder surface for more ball bounce, and its rigidity won’t warp in the heat the way asphalt can.<\/p>\n Should your decision come down to cost, asphalt edges out concrete in the short term as it’s more affordable to purchase and install. However, when considering lifespan and maintenance costs, concrete may be the cheaper option in the long run. We’ll detail these maintenance requirements in a minute.<\/p>\n Asphalt costs between $7 to $13 per square foot<\/a>, which includes both materials and labor. On average, homeowners spend between $2,934 and $6,565 installing a new asphalt driveway.<\/p>\n Concrete costs between $8 to $18 per square foot<\/a>, with decorative elements such as color and stamping increasing the cost per square foot. Most homeowners spend between $1,800 and $6,000<\/a> to install a new concrete driveway.<\/p>\n Demolition and removal of your old driveway surface take up the bulk of the installation timeline. Once the space is ready, it takes around the same time for contractors to lay both materials \u2014 only drying\/curing times differ.<\/p>\n It typically takes installers just one day<\/a> to lay asphalt. However, installers usually need a prep day in advance of the installation to lay the sub-base<\/a>, which provides stability and a frost barrier for your asphalt driveway. Asphalt installers typically lay the sub-base on the same day they demolish and remove your existing driveway.<\/p>\n Once the asphalt is down, the material takes 3 to 5 days to cure partially<\/a>. After that time, it’s safe to drive on your asphalt driveway but not to park on it. It takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks to fully cure.<\/p>\n Concrete driveways typically take between 1 to 3 days to complete<\/a>, depending on the driveway size. For homeowners who want to park on their driveway faster, concrete is the better option. Once the concrete driveway is poured, you typically only need to wait seven days before parking<\/a> your vehicle on it. However, for heavier vehicles or equipment, you’ll need to wait as long as 30 days.<\/p>\n When it comes to longevity, concrete definitely has asphalt beat.<\/p>\n Asphalt driveways have a relatively short lifespan of 20 to 30 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n A concrete driveway has an expected lifespan of between 40 to 50 years<\/a>. This lifespan can be reduced if the driveway isn’t adequately sealed from time to time.<\/p>\n Neither asphalt nor concrete are “pave it and forget it” driveway materials as both require maintenance over their lifetime. However, overall, concrete requires less maintenance than asphalt.<\/p>\n You should seal asphalt every three to five years<\/a> or so. Sealant costs between $0.68 to $1.64 per square foot<\/a>.<\/p>\n In between sealings, keep an eye out for cracks in your asphalt. You can fill minor cracks with an asphalt crack sealer<\/a> for around $6 per tube<\/a>. Fail to seal these cracks regularly, and you risk weakening the structural integrity<\/a> of your asphalt driveway.<\/p>\n While you don’t need to seal a concrete driveway, doing so every 5 years<\/a> or so can extend its lifespan. You can pay a professional to tackle the job for around $1 to $2 per square foot<\/a>, or you can DIY for $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot.<\/p>\n Just like asphalt, concrete driveways may crack over time, especially in four-season regions with harsh winters. You can fill concrete cracks between a quarter-inch and half-inch wide<\/a> with concrete crack filler for around $13 per tube<\/a>.<\/p>\n Appearance plays a significant role in the asphalt vs. concrete debate for homeowners concerned with their home’s curb appeal. When you want decorative design options over function, concrete is the clear winner.<\/p>\n Traditional asphalt is black or gray. Recent innovations in asphalt allow for flexible design options, however, the color options available<\/a> are only of the earth tone variety.<\/p>\n There are dozens of design options for concrete driveways because of the number of ways you can color and manipulate this flexible material. If you don’t want the traditional gray style, you can tint or stain your concrete driveway<\/a> to match or complement the color of your house. You can also add complex designs and patterns to existing concrete<\/a> if you want to change the style later.<\/p>\n Contractors can stamp patterns and designs into concrete<\/a> to mimic brick, cobblestone, and complex medallion patterns.<\/p>\n In some regions, the climate, not your personal preference, determines which material works best for your driveway.<\/p>\n Since asphalt is a deep black in color, it absorbs heat, and during the summer, can become sticky and oily. If the material melts enough, you can even track it into the house on your shoes. In areas where summer temperatures stay in the 100s, asphalt driveways are a no-go.<\/p>\n In cold, wet climates, asphalt’s flexibility becomes a liability as it can crack or become destabilized. However, asphalt is more porous than concrete<\/a>, allowing water to run through it rather than get trapped and freeze, as sometimes happens to concrete.<\/p>\n Concrete is the go-to driveway material for steamy southern states, but it can work in colder climates, too, since the material is low maintenance and less prone to cracking than asphalt. However, there are some drawbacks to concrete driveways in colder climates.<\/p>\n Concrete driveways with their interior rebar and wire mesh reinforcements<\/a> are essentially rigid. When moisture from rain and snow soften the soil underneath concrete, the concrete surface may heave upward<\/a>. Concrete is also less porous than asphalt, so water can get trapped inside and freeze, causing the concrete to crack.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n How much is your home worth today? In as little as two minutes, HomeLight can provide you with a preliminary estimate of value in preparation of your plans to renovate, remodel, or make repairs.<\/p>\n \n ![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n A quick (and free) way to check your home value<\/h3>\n
Key characteristics<\/h2>\n
Asphalt<\/h3>\n
Concrete<\/h3>\n
Cost to install: Asphalt is more affordable<\/h2>\n
Asphalt<\/h3>\n
Concrete<\/h3>\n
Installation process: Concrete dries faster<\/h2>\n
Asphalt<\/h3>\n
Concrete<\/h3>\n
Lifespan: Concrete lasts longer<\/h2>\n
Asphalt<\/h3>\n
Concrete<\/h3>\n
Maintenance: Concrete is lower-maintenance<\/h2>\n
Asphalt<\/h3>\n
Concrete<\/h3>\n
Aesthetic: Concrete is more versatile<\/h2>\n
Asphalt<\/h3>\n
Concrete<\/h3>\n
Climate: The best choice depends on where you live<\/h2>\n
Asphalt<\/h3>\n
Concrete<\/h3>\n
\n <\/div>\n \n Renovating? Check your home value first<\/h3>\n