Asphalt can be an effective option for paving your driveway or parking area. However, you may not be familiar with all of the benefits that this can have over choosing concrete for large paving projects.
Faster Installation
Asphalt will have the advantage of being among the fastest options when you are needing to pave your driveway. In contrast, concrete can actually be among the slower due to the need for it to dry and undergo a lengthy curing process. In fact, most individuals will find that asphalt will be able to harden once it has cooled, and this cooling process should only take a couple of days in order for the asphalt to be ready for you to drive over it. Until the pavement is ready, you may need to park your vehicle on the grass or leave it at the curb, but asphalt can be the ideal material for minimizing this particular disruption.
Less Maintenance
Maintaining the asphalt will be another step that you will have to follow. Unfortunately, it is often the case that homeowners simply fail to appreciate the importance of keeping their pavement clean and sealed. Without these steps, the pavement would rapidly degrade. While asphalt pavement will need to be cleaned and periodically sealed, this work will be needed far less frequently than concrete pavement. While asphalt pavement may only need to be sealed every few years, this can be a yearly process with concrete if you are to effectively protect it against water damage.
Compatible For Ice Salts
Ice salts are one of the more effective and commonly used options for preventing ice from collecting on the pavement. Unfortunately, these salts can be extremely damaging to concrete as they can cause the concrete to become brittle and prone to cracking. Asphalt is generally unaffected by the use of these substances, which can make it ideal for homes in areas where icy conditions can be a common problem during the winter months. While these salts are unlikely to cause considerable damage to the asphalt, you will still want to rinse them off as soon as they are no longer needed. Otherwise, the salts could actually corrode your vehicle.
As you are actively evaluating the potential materials to use for paving your home's driveway, it can be useful to spend some time reviewing the benefits that asphalt will be able to provide over concrete. Otherwise, you may not be able to effectively choose a paving material that will work the best with your property. For more information about asphalt paving, reach out to a company like Arrow Blacktop & Masonry Inc near you.