Benefits of asphalt driveways over concrete ones
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Well-installed asphalt driveways in Melbourne can be as good as concrete ones but with much lower costs involved. Being a product of petroleum, it is more flexible than concrete and also has lesser chances for cracking when compared to concrete. Asphalt contractors in Melbourne help to complete different projects for laying driveways made of this form of petroleum. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of asphalt driveways:
Faster usability and installation: Asphalt Melbourne can easily lay a driveway in one or two days, depending on the size of the project. Concrete driveways would take longer time to set.
Durability of driveway: Asphalt does not cause flaking of the surface due to poor installation. Also, it eliminates the worry of spalling which means the incorrect preparation and application of salt to melt snow and ice. This surface flaking is a common issue with many concrete driveways, especially when they get hastily installed.
Lesser maintenance costs: if the Asphalt driveway gets some lineal cracking, repairing it would be inexpensive and easy. The sealants for cracks are widely and easily available among various retailers and don’t cost much. Also, the application of such repairing kits can be done by anyone, even if there is no prior paving experience or expertise. Preventive maintenance such as sealcoating, crack filling, sweeping and general maintenance would extend the lifespan of Asphalt Driveways to at least 20 years. At the same time, concrete would be tough to maintain as it cannot be heated or repaired like asphalt roadways.
Can be reheated and reused: Asphalt can be reheated and reused. The results would be a new looking asphalt driveway that would not only look great but save money as well. The gravel used for laying asphalt driveways can be reused if the missing or washed away bits of gravel get replaced. At the same time, crushing and mixing concrete for reuse can consume excess energy and is not an environment-friendly activity.
Affordability: It may be a confusing decision with regard to preferring an asphalt driveway or a concrete one. However, if you have budget constraints, sticking to an asphalt driveway would be ideal. But keep it in mind; the cost of installing an asphalt driveway may depend on many factors such as the geographical area, market price of the materials needed, and preparation work before laying the driveway etc.
Smooth appearance: Concrete contains cement, so a driveway made from this material would provide an industrial look rather than an inviting or warm look. If you prefer an inviting look, it’s best to opt for an asphalt driveway. For asphalt driveways, colour options are next to none. However, special finishes and tints are available. Asphalt contractors can even add a colour coating which includes mineral aggregates that would help in boosting slip resistance and traction. Filling the holes and cracks as they appear and sealing the driveway provide a smooth look to an asphalt driveway.
Copes with harsh weather well: There are chances for concrete driveways to deteriorate as the weather changes, especially during winter. The concrete driveways face damage when exposed to extreme temperature shifts, chemicals or road salts. At the same time, asphalt driveways are less prone to flaking or deterioration in such weather conditions.
