Asphalt Pavement vs. Concrete – Which One Should You Choose?

When designing or renovating a commercial property, pavement is a big part of the planning process. You need high-quality driveways for your venue to be accessible and parking considerations for staff and visiting patrons. Your choice of pavement materials is essential to ensure long-term performance, aesthetics, and property value. Each business owner or property manager will eventually find themselves choosing between asphalt or concrete paving. 

Which type of pavement is best for your property and long-term plans? What if you already have old, cracked concrete driveways? Here at One Stop Asphalt, we have a few practical and professional answers to help you decide when to choose asphalt or concrete pavement.

Considerations When Choosing Between Asphalt and Concrete Paving

Concrete is manufactured porous stone poured into slabs on a firm foundation of packed dirt. Asphalt is a multi-layer installation with a sub-base, aggregate, and binder that forms a smooth, springy pavement surface. Each performs a little differently depending on the factors at hand, including the weather, traffic, use cases, and how long you want your pavement to last. Let’s take a closer look at the factors to consider when choosing an asphalt lot or concrete driveway.

The Local Climate

Asphalt is slightly flexible and designed to adapt to changing climate conditions, especially extreme swings between hot and cold climates. Asphalt becomes slightly soft during a hot summer and is especially resistant to the rigors of cold like freezes and salt. 

Concrete, however, tends to show cracks in moisture or temperature extremes because the porous stone (and the ground underneath) may swell and contract with the weather, leaving cracks and crumbling over time. Concrete often looks nice initially, but the climate quickly leaves it looking weathered.

Expected Traffic

Concrete driveways are a safer choice for properties that expect to see minimum traffic and stress on the pavement, while asphalt is used for heavy-use parking lots and interstate highways for a reason. Asphalt typically offers longer-term durability and is easier to repair when signs of wear and tear appear.

Concrete tends to be a better choice for foot traffic, which is why it is favored for sidewalks and plazas. Decorative concrete has great potential for outdoor decor, but asphalt is typically the better choice for high-volume vehicle traffic.

Environmental Impact of Paving Materials

Did you know that asphalt is often made of recycled aggregate and can be recycled when removed? You also must remove less of your asphalt installation to enact repairs – even repairs down to the sub-base level. For businesses striving to achieve fully green practices and facility design, asphalt allows you to support the recycled material movement and reduce your overall carbon footprint.

The materials for concrete pavement can be recycled, but concrete is typically made from fresh materials, and slabs must be broken up and removed to make repairs.

Ease of Installation

Once the sub-base is ready, asphalt can be installed and driven on far more quickly than a concrete slab because asphalt is made of a compacted yet springy mix of aggregate (big and little gravel), binder, and oil. Once the binder sets, which happens within a day, you can begin to walk on asphalt, and very soon, vehicles will be able to begin a normal flow of traffic.

General Maintenance and Upkeep

Asphalt is also more reliable where upkeep is concerned. While asphalt calls for more routine maintenance like re-sealing and the occasional patch, this routine maintenance keeps your asphalt beautiful and functional for far longer than a concrete slab will remain crack-free.

Should You Choose Asphalt or Concrete for Your Commercial Pavement?

Concrete is a wonderful material for sidewalks, plazas, and low-use pavements. However, if you are planning a commercial parking lot or a high-traffic driveway, asphalt is almost always the better long-term plan. With a simple asphalt maintenance schedule, you can ensure that your pavement remains pristine, safe for vehicles and pedestrians, and aesthetically complimentary to your building for years and decades into the future.

Professional Asphalt Pavement Installation Services in Phoenix

Whether your Phoenix commercial property needs an upgrade or you want to sculpt a fresh piece of land for your purposes, One Stop Asphalt is here to ensure that your pavement installation is a smooth, enjoyable process. Contact us today to learn more about choosing the right pavement and parking design for your commercial property.

Get a free estimate of professional asphalt pavement installation services in Phoenix through our handy online form.

Image Credit / Shutterstock / Andrewshots

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