Advantages of Asphalt Driveways
Asphalt, also commonly referred to as bitumen is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid produced from petroleum distilled residue. Contractors utilize asphalt in different areas of construction including installation of driveways. Overtime, asphalt driveways have gained more popularity compared to other types like concrete driveways. To help you understand more about asphalt driveways, here are some of the advantages of using asphalt on your driveway.
Asphalt driveways are fast to install
A qualified contractor and his team may take approximately two days to install an asphalt driveway. The driveway will in turn take 48 hours to cure and become ready for use. In comparison, concrete driveways may take several more days to install and probably twice as many days before they are ready for use.
Asphalt offers a more durable solution
As a property or home owner you definitely want your driveway to always look and remain appealing. The flexibility of asphalt fulfils this want due to its ability to expand and contract with fluctuating temperatures. Additionally, asphalt is not subject to flaking, a situation that commonly affects concrete driveways.
Asphalt driveways are easy to maintain
Since asphalt driveways do not flake easily the major maintenance to be done is sealcoating. Sealing the driveway protects it from any deterioration that may be caused by harsh weather conditions, water run-off and the overall use of the driveway. An asphalt driveway should be sealed every three to five years as opposed to annually as most people think. The sealants required for asphalt driveways, are easily available and you can comfortably apply them even if you do not possess any previous paving experience.
Asphalt driveways are Affordable
It is generally cheaper to install an asphalt driveway compared to a concrete alternative. This is in terms of driveway maintenance, purchasing the materials to be used as well as the paying for the labour utilized to install the driveway.
Asphalt driveways are Easy to repair
Just like concrete driveways, asphalt driveways may need repairs as well. Asphalt driveway repairs may include repairing things such as asphalt potholes and asphalt alligator cracks. While preparation for a concrete driveway repair, may require the use of a specialized skill or contractor, asphalt repair preparations are basic. These may include removing dirt and dust from the affected areas or simply uprooting growing vegetation from the cracks that have formed. In addition, the materials required for repairs are easily available at your nearest lumber stores. Finally, patch work repairs on the asphalt black top surface are less visible compared to patches on a concrete driveway. This goes a long way in maintaining the aesthetic appeal of a driveway.