When you are planning a driveway design, the most important choice has to be the paving material. After all, you have to spend the bulk of your budget on this material. Depending on the length and breadth of your driveway, this cost can increase or decrease. So, you have to be very cautious about this first choice of options. Asphalt or concrete, both have a high popularity as options for this type of construction. But when you have to choose just one, how can you make the right decision? Here is a list of pros and cons of both options to make it all a bit easier for you.
Decorative Designs
If you have hired a professional for driveways North London, the first question they will ask is whether you have a vision for a simplistic or decorative driveway design. This is the very first fork in the path that separates you in either of the two choices – concrete or asphalt. The key difference in appearance for both is rooted in this factor. Asphalt has no decorative options. It is the best choice for simplistic style driveways. However, with concrete you are spoilt for choices. Ranges of colours, design and finishes make customization with concrete a breeze.
Durability
Undoubtedly, driveways take a huge beating in terms of the harsh weather conditions. On top of that, this part of your home in itself is going to be busier than your garden or backyard. As such, the durability of your paving material is an important aspect to consider. In this regard, asphalt might take the lead since it is durable for harsher climates. It is also easier to maintain during colder climates to clean snow out. You can also salt the asphalt pavement to keep the snow from melting and forming black ice. On the other hand, concrete might develop cracks in colder climatic areas. However, asphalt is more prone to develop root growth during the spring or summer season. Concrete pavements are super tough so these types of driveways North London will not have any issues with root growth.
Repairing The Damage
Now that you know what can damage each of these paving materials, you have to understand which one is easier to repair and maintain. Asphalt driveways are softer and more porous than concrete, so you have to seal asphalt driveways at regular intervals to protect them from the weather and stray seeds from taking root.
Concrete driveways are more prone to developing cracks and that can be harder to repair without replacing the entire slab. If the crack runs for multiple slabs, the cost of replacement will increase.
The best solution for a particular type of driveway has to depend on your budget and ability to maintain the material. However, you can take the advice of a professional contractor to learn from their experience as well.
