Why Asphalt Is the Best Choice for Homeowners

For many people, their home is their biggest investment. So it only makes sense to take good care of that investment. That includes driveways and other paved surfaces around your property. For many years, concrete and pavers have been the favorite paving materials for most homeowners. But over the past few years, asphalt has become increasingly popular and with good reason. In this article we explore why asphalt is often the best choice for homeowners’ paving projects:

• Asphalt is less expensive than concrete and pavers. Not only does asphalt cost less than concrete; it also costs substantially less than other options, such as pavers, for example. And asphalt is every bit as durable. As long as you keep your asphalt surface maintained by having minor repairs made as needed and having it sealcoated on a regular basis, your pavement should last for 15 to 20 years and even longer in some cases.
• Asphalt is faster to install. Having a new concrete driveway or walkway poured is a time-consuming process. Once the installation is complete, it typically takes several days for the concrete to set up. And, as you can imagine, installing pavers is not only expensive but extremely time-consuming. Installing new asphalt, on the other hand, is a relatively quick process. The majority of the time involved in pouring asphalt is in the preparation of the sub base, or the ground below where the asphalt will be installed. Once that is completed, the asphalt can be poured and left to set up – a process that usually takes only 24 hours or so.
• Asphalt is visually appealing. The naturally dark color of newly installed asphalt provides a beautiful complement to your home and the surrounding landscaping. An added benefit of the dark, rich color of asphalt is that it won’t show stains and spills from automotive fluids. Concrete and pavers, on the other hand, have a tendency to stain easily. And while it’s true that asphalt does fade over time, you can quickly refresh the appearance of the pavement by having a protective sealcoat applied. Not only does this give the asphalt a like-new appearance, it also helps to fill in tiny cracks and protect the surface from damage.
• Asphalt is environmentally friendly. Unlike some other paving options, asphalt is a relatively porous surface. This allows rainwater to flow through it and into the soil below, thereby reducing runoff and erosion. And much of the asphalt used by paving companies today is recycled!

To find out more about the benefits of asphalt for homeowners, contact a local paving company today and schedule an appointment.