Homeowners can choose between a few different paving options for their driveway. While it is vital to carefully consider the best material to use, most homeowners opt for asphalt paving because of its durability, flexibility, and overall design. Installing asphalt driveways can be quick, require little maintenance, and has numerous advantages over other solutions.
Quick to install
When you pour an asphalt driveway, it will be ready to use as soon as it hardens, which can be a matter of hours. Your installer may advise you to remain off it for a day or two to let it properly set and avoid dents or cracks. However, compared to other materials, you will be able to use your new driveway considerably sooner with asphalt.
Stays attractive with occasional maintenance
An asphalt driveway will benefit from a seal coating treatment every few years. A protective coating is applied to your driveway throughout this procedure. It fills up small crevices, keeping debris and water out of the small cracks on your surface. Sealcoating also provides a beautiful black finish to your driveway. This is how new asphalt surfaces look and seal coating restores the original color.
Asphalt has a long lifespan
When properly maintained, your asphalt driveway will be an investment that will serve you well for many years. An asphalt driveway has a 15-year average lifespan, with some reaching 20 years depending on how well it is maintained. The upkeep necessary to extend the life of your driveway is minimal. Seal coating the asphalt every one to two years and filling cracks as needed is highly recommended to get the most out of your driveway. Resurfacing may be required every five years or so but is relatively affordable compared to getting a new driveway.
It will get you through the winter
The cold months can be hard on driveways but asphalt is durable to make it through this harsh season.
Freezing and Thawing – Winter is notorious for putting driveways through a freeze-thaw cycle when temperatures drop below freezing and then slowly creep back up. Water in and under the pavement expands and shrinks at different rates. This might put a lot of strain on the driveway material. Fortunately, asphalt is extremely malleable by nature. Since asphalt is elastic, it can endure the stresses of freezing and thawing.
Snow and Ice – No matter how sturdy your driveway is, it will eventually be covered with snow and ice. The result could mean keeping your driveway clear might be difficult. If you prefer to treat snow and ice with rock salt, you will be relieved to hear that asphalt driveways withstand this chemical treatment better than other driveway materials. In addition, there is a chance you will not need to use as much snow removal treatment because of the dark tone of asphalt, snow that falls on asphalt driveways melts faster than snow that falls on other driveway materials.
Asphalt is environmentally-friendly
Along with being long-lasting, asphalt is also environmentally friendly. Asphalt is 100 percent recyclable, needs less energy to install, and produces no post-consumer waste. Asphalt pavement has a low life cycle cost since it may last up to 20 years with adequate maintenance. When the asphalt has to be replaced, it may be recycled into other products that require asphalt, such as shingles or standard asphalt pavement, with minimum alterations.
Strength, flexibility, easy maintenance, and the other many benefits mentioned of asphalt paving will ensure that this surface will enhance the curb appeal of your property for years to come. As a homeowner, you will have peace of mind that asphalt paving can withstand the varying weather conditions and trust the overall longevity of your driveway.
