Advantages of Having a Concrete Driveway

The driveway is the first thing that people will see when they approach your home. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to ensure the property is well maintained at all times. The driveway could be in a bad state and you’re thinking of replacing it. Here are some of the reasons why you should seriously consider using concrete for your driveway project.

Lifecycle Expense

The cost of installation is not the only thing you should be worried about when considering the material to use for your driveway. Asphalt might have a low upfront cost but you could be looking at a lot more expenses down the line.

Concrete driveways are known to last longer with little maintenance required. A concrete driveway is likely to provide up to 60% more service compared to an asphalt driveway. This means that asphalt might not be cheap after all if you’re looking at the maintenance that is needed for the driveway.

Curb Appeal

Concrete driveways are known for their beauty and curb appeal. There are so many aesthetic options that you could go for when you opt for concrete as the choice of materials. You can even go for colored concrete if you're looking to spruce things up on the exterior of the home. Concrete can easily blend with the architectural design of the home which could also increase the value.

Heat and Light

Concrete performs better when it comes to heat and light absorption. There are some materials that will easily crack when exposed to heat. Concrete driveways are cooler as they don’t absorb as much UV rays compared to asphalt. This means you can even walk barefoot when the sun is out. The reflectance on the concrete will also reduce the light requirements for the driveway. Asphalt driveways absorb a lot more light and you might need a third more lighting compared to lighting.

Maintenance Expenses

You can reduce the maintenance expenses of concrete to a bare minimum.  One of the ways you can keep the costs down is by the use of sealers. Sealers will protect your driveway from moisture absorption and de-icers.

For asphalt driveways, asphalt binders will begin to dry right from the moment it is installed. You might have to spend a lot of money on maintenance as a result. Periodic seal coating will be required in order to slow down the process. Even when the asphalt driveway is occasionally sealed, it will not last long compared to a concrete one.

Resale Value

If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market, it will be pleasing to know that those with a concrete driveway tend to have a higher resale value. A potential homeowner will know that there is little maintenance that is needed for concrete driveways compared to asphalt driveways. You’re likely to find it easy to sell your property in the future and you will definitely recover a portion of the investment once you get the right buyer.

Environmental Considerations

The energy costs for installing concrete driveway are generally lower. This means that there won’t be a big impact on the environment compared to installing asphalt. Less energy is required to produce and place the concrete on your driveway.

By contrast, a lot of energy will be required to heat up asphalt to the required temperature before it is poured on your driveway. You will also require more petroleum products when it comes to sealing the asphalt driveway.

Surface Characteristics

One of the reasons why homeowners prefer concrete is the distinct surface characteristics that you get. The surface of the concrete is not subject to any kind of dissolution. This is not true for asphalt driveways. The evaporating oils can get on the sole of shoes which will be hard to clean.

Load-Bearing Capacity

Concrete can handle heavy objects without a problem. That means that you don’t have to be worried about the load on the driveway. Trucks or heavy machinery could cause rutting and damage if you’re having an asphalt driveway. The same could be said if you have more than two vehicles being parked on the driveway on a regular. Concrete is the recommended solution if you’re looking for something that will be able to withstand load capacity without a problem.

As much as concrete is the ideal solution for your driveway, you want to make sure you’re getting the right contractor for proper installation to avoid problems down the line. If that is the case, you will need to look for a concrete company in Colorado Springs.