The most fundamental question when you’re having a new driveway installed is which material to use. While there are several options, the two most common, practical, and cost-effective driveway paving materials are asphalt and concrete. But how to choose between the two? For some, it may come down to personal preference. But, there are many practical factors to consider, too.

Climate

One major difference is asphalt expands and contracts with changes in temperature, and concrete does not. Therefore, certain weather patterns can be problematic for concrete. The intense cold of Northeastern winters, for example, can potentially cause concrete to crack.

Damage & Repairs

There are two sides to the damage and repair coin when it comes to asphalt and concrete driveway paving. On one side, asphalt paving is damaged more easily than concrete; the flipside, however, is that asphalt damage is easier to repair than concrete damage. Asphalt cracks can easily be filled and sealed, while concrete seals are more obvious and more extensive repairs may be required.

Longevity

In overall longevity, concrete has a clear advantage. A concrete driveway can last up to thirty years, whereas an asphalt driveway will usually top out at twenty. Both asphalt and concrete can last longer or shorter than predicted depending upon how well or poorly it is maintained. One key way to increase your driveway’s longevity is to have it pressure washed every few years. Additionally, asphalt should be sealed every three years or so.

Cost

There is some crossover in cost, but asphalt generally costs less than concrete. In addition to initial costs, it’s important to keep in mind the cost of repairs and upkeep. Remember that asphalt requires more, easier, less expensive repairs, and concrete requires fewer, more extensive, and costlier repairs.

In the market for a new driveway? Family-owned and -operated Beausoleil & Sons in Cranston, RI, has been providing residential and commercial paving to Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut for over 40 years. Call (401) 632-0203 for more information or visit them online for a complete list of their services, including asphalt and concrete driveway paving.