Having a quality driveway that fits your home’s aesthetic, and which adds to the functionality of your home is a great way to boost your home equity. However, when people begin to consider this project, they are immediately faced with a huge decision: concrete or asphalt.

While there are other driveway materials, such as black top, none are as valuable or high-end than concrete or asphalt. However, both of these materials come with their own unique pros and cons. By understanding these differences more clearly, you can make an informed and intelligent investment in your home’s value.

For example, concrete lasts much longer than asphalt for driveway areas, but asphalt is significantly less expensive to install. While they may be less expensive to have put in, however, asphalt driveways require more maintenance to keep stable and clean. To complicate this further, asphalt driveways also have lower repair costs. In fact, both materials even require different types of de-icing products to keep them in tip top condition. With all of these factors in mind, the process of choosing a material can seem intimidating, but after reading this article, your mind will be put at ease.

The two largest aspects of your decision should be based on the area of your home, the amount you’re willing to invest in the project.

As far as home area goes, you need to examine the homes around you. If your driveway stands out too much from nearby homes, it has the potential to negatively impact your home equity. Ultimately, you want to go with a material that not only fits your own home’s aesthetic, but those around you as well. Consulting a quality contractor of real estate agent is the best way to understand which material is the best investment for your home.

The second aspect to consider is the amount you are willing to invest. Here are the costs breakdowns for the two popular materials:

Concrete Costs:

• Plain Concrete: $3 to $10 per square foot. (Average cost of $1,080 to $3,600 for a standard, two-car driveway)
• Customized Concrete: $15 to $25 per square foot. (Average cost of $5,400 to $9,000 for a standard, two-car driveway)

Asphalt Costs:

• Basic Asphalt: $2 to $5 per square foot. (Average cost of $720 to $1,800 for a standard, two-car driveway)
• Stamped Asphalt: $2 to $9 per square foot. (Average cost of $1,080 to $3,240 for a standard, two-car driveway)

Want more useful information about the primary differences between concrete and asphalt? Here are an additional 5 areas of consideration to help you with your brainstorming session:

Longevity:

Concrete: Concrete tends to last up to 30 years on average.

Asphalt: Asphalt tends to last up to 20 years on average.

Resurfacing Considerations:

Concrete: When installing a concrete driveway, any original material needs to be removed to guarantee the concrete adheres, costing you additional cash.

Asphalt: Asphalt can be paved over pre-existing material in some cases, depending on the state of the base, helping to save you construction costs.

Crack Repair:

Concrete: Concrete repairs are very unsightly, and should be repaired immediately. Thankfully, it is a fairly simple process.

Asphalt: Asphalt cracks can be sealed. However, larger sections that become cracked may need to be excavated and replaced.

Life-Extensions:

Concrete: To extend the life of your concrete driveway, you should pressure wash it at least once every two years.

Asphalt: Asphalt driveways should be sealed once every three years to keep them in a stable and beautiful condition.

Wait Periods:

Concrete: To be safe, it is recommended that you wait a full week before driving on a recently completed concreted driveway.

Asphalt: Normally, you can use an asphalt driveway on the same day that it’s completed.

Now that you have a good idea of how much the project may costs you, its time to start looking for a high-quality contractor in your area. By finding an affordable, and well-praised contractor, you ensure yourself that your driveway will be worth your investment. Trying to tackle a job of this magnitude by yourself, or hiring your cousin to do the job, is ill-advised. With a project this important, you need the best help available.

Need assistance locating the right contractor for your driveway job? At Fast Contractor Leads, we have been helping people find the perfect match for many years. Simply visit our page for concrete/asphalt pros, and enter you zip code to get started. The results will list the best-rated contractors who specialize in this task in your area. We wish you luck in your journey toward a more valuable and beautiful home!