All American Paving & Seal Coating
Asphalt and concrete are probably the two most common types of pavement used for several projects, such as driveways, parking lots, roads, sidewalks, home garages, walkways, sidewalks, curbs, patios, etc.
Both materials (asphalt and concrete) are beneficial in their own ways and have various pros and cons that should be considered before they are ultimately decided on for a specific project that you may have in mind for your home or workspace.
Therefore, we will be reviewing what the various benefits of asphalt and concrete are so that when it comes down to the time for you to choose one or the other for your next big project, you will be confident about your choice and know how to go about maintaining your asphalt or concrete as well.
Benefits of Asphalt
94% of US roads are paved with asphalt, and for good reason. Asphalt pavements are:
Safe
Asphalt pavement provides a high level of skid resistance and a high contrast in color between the black asphalt pavement and white and yellow road markers, which gives drivers better road visibility in any condition of weather they might be driving in.
Additionally, asphalt’s dark color melts snow and ice much more rapidly than all the other pavement types because its dark color is prone to absorbing heat. Additionally, open-graded asphalt is able to minimize splash during rainstorms— ultimately reducing crashes and fatalities on highways. All American Paving & Seal Coating also eliminates potentially life-threatening and expensive pavement blowups.
Smooth
Asphalt pavements are a much more uniform surface, unmatched by other types of pavements. Smooth roads are safer because uneven surfaces decrease driver’s control when driving, increasing the driver fatigue they experience.
Additionally, smooth asphalt roads lessen rolling resistance (i.e. the friction caused when tires drive over the pavement), which ultimately means better fuel economy and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Being environmentally friendly is always a plus!
Quiet
Asphalt roads help to reduce the amount of roadway noise that is created by cars. This is beneficial for both drivers and people who live near busy roads. Asphalt surfaces help to reduce the noise by up to seven decibels, making it a quieter option for roadways.
Additionally, streets made of asphalt reduce the need for costly sound barriers, which often exceed $2 million per mile.
Pretty Low Maintenance
Concrete, on the other hand, is much more durable but also requires more maintenance. Concrete needs to be sealed and resealed every few years in order to keep it looking new and prevent water from seeping in and causing cracks.
Additional benefits of asphalt
- Asphalt is 100% recyclable
- Very cost-efficient
- Asphalt projects do not take long to be completed
- Asphalt is beneficial for surfaces that are prone to water drainage issues
- Asphalt is typically a good choice when you have the safety of vehicles in mind, making it traveler and business-friendly
Benefits of Concrete
Lowest Carbon Footprint
Concrete’s unmatched durability, recyclability, and energy efficiency— in tandem with industry innovations like lower carbon Portland-limestone cement, i.e. Contempra— all contribute to its status as the lowest carbon-building material over the entire lifecycle of pavement or a structure.
Strong and Durable
Concrete lasts for decades longer than other building materials—actually getting stronger over time. This equals the reduction of the total cost of ownership, in addition to the environmental impact related to more frequent reconstruction or rehabilitation.
Resilient
Concrete doesn’t rot, rust, or burn. Its resistance to fire, wind, water, vibrations, and earthquakes keeps people safer and reduces costs related to any sort of damage. When it comes to the aftermath of extreme weather conditions, concrete structures have proven themselves to be the most resilient. Therefore, due to concrete’s durability, the only maintenance required is sealing when necessary.
Additional benefits of concrete
- Concrete, believe it or not, is extremely resilient to the elements
- Concrete is great at absorbing and retaining heat, making it highly beneficial for cutting the costs of heating and cooling in nearby buildings (energy efficient)
- Highly resistant to wind and water damage
- Concrete is versatile and low maintenance
- Can be locally sourced and recycled (environmentally friendly)
Now that you know what the various characteristics of asphalt and concrete are, we hope this information helped you to get a better idea of their differences and the multiple benefits that they provide. Both can be a great option for different projects, depending on the project’s needs and environment.
