When it comes to driveways, the benefits of having an Asphalt Driveway in Norwich CT far outweigh any costs involved with the upkeep. While concrete may last longer than asphalt, what is not as widely known is that concrete and asphalt durability changes with the environment. Here are a few major differences between asphalt and concrete and why choosing asphalt in Connecticut is a better decision.
Expense
Let’s get right down to the main difference between asphalt and concrete. Per square foot, asphalt is half the cost of concrete, no matter where you purchase materials. As a general rule, concrete will run you around $4 to $7 per square foot, while asphalt costs around $2 to $4 per square foot. Asphalt paving and repair companies such as The Driveway Guys of CT, usually offer free estimates on both new paving and repair, so getting an estimate is pretty easy.
Climate
When living in Connecticut, where it snows six months out of the year, having an Asphalt Driveway in Norwich CT can be the difference between needing to completely replace your driveway in three years and simply having to resurface an existing driveway in five years. It’s no secret that cold weather and salt are a deadly combination for concrete driveways and parking lots, but asphalt suffers none of those issues. Because of the makeup of asphalt, it is engineered to withstand freezing temperatures and salt has no effect on it at all. Also, asphalt has much more give, and compensates for pressure changes that are caused from the ground settling underneath. Because of this compensation, cracks and potholes are limited.
Upkeep
Asphalt has its share of erosion issues, but the upkeep and repair costs are miniscule compared to what it would take to repair concrete. Because concrete color depends on many environmental exposures, the repair of a crack or hole is obvious unless you repave the whole surface. With an Asphalt Driveway in Norwich CT, any small crack or divot that could occur on the surface is easily fixed by filling it in with more asphalt; the color and structure stay the same, and the repair is virtually seamless. Also, concrete takes much longer to cure than asphalt. You can drive on a new or repaired asphalt driveway within hours or placement, while it will take several days for any concrete surface to cure. To learn more about the advantages of asphalt Driveway Paving in Norwich, CT, contact The Driveway Guys of CT.
