What Type of Driveway Material Should I Use? Part 1

Annie, there are several considerations for addressing this question. First there is the installed cost and life cycle of asphalt vs. concrete. For many years, the initial cost of asphalt was much lower than concrete. However, in recent years with the increase costs for petroleum products, the initial costs between the two are must closer. Assuming initial costs are not the issue; the next consideration would be maintenance and/or life cycle. Concrete, once installed has virtually no required maintenance other than keeping it free from long-term dirt, debris and any ponding water. Asphalt, on the other hand will begin to require regular attention within a few years of installation. Regular sealing and crack repair will be needed to assure a reasonable life cycle and performance. Another consideration should be service use. Asphalt surfaces will be much more forgiving to staining and surface abuses. A concrete surface will show imperfections and stains much more prevalently. Look for part 2 of this response in next week’s column where we will cover location, base stability, drainage and environmental conditions when considering an asphalt or concrete driveway.