The Advantages of Concrete vs. Asphalt Paving

Appearance

• The appearance of concrete is light-colored, while asphalt is specifically a charcoal black. Concrete's advantages include its ability to be stained numerous solid or multicolored tints to mimic natural stone and to blend in with, complement or contrast the structural and aesthetic appearance of the property. Texture and pattern can be imprinted into the concrete, giving it a faux stone or paver appearance. Both asphalt and concrete can be molded to the form of the planned path, lending flexibility in design and the ability of a path or road to meander with an organic form around trees and structures. Asphalt and concrete can stand alone, or they can be accented with a decorative brick or paver border.

Temperature

• Concrete and asphalt are both suitable for cool climates, but in the heat, concrete outperforms asphalt in temperature management, color and integrity. Asphalt absorbs the heat and its oil-based components make the surface extremely hot in comparison to concrete. Asphalt also softens in the heat, especially newly laid asphalt. While this flexibility prevents asphalt from easily cracking like concrete in sudden impact or from expansion and contraction from heat and cold, this softness lends to dips in the road caused by the weight of the vehicles and also where the ground is soft beneath the asphalt. Concrete keeps the ground cool in sun exposure, while asphalt heats it up.

Fading

• Weather-beating takes its toll on the surface of asphalt, while the face of concrete is more durable throughout the seasons, over many years before visible weather damage is noticed. Asphalt changes tones from a dark charcoal to a light gray in as little as three years, depending on the amount of direct sun exposure and wet weather. It develops cracks and ridges that often cause potholes. Topcoats are applied to asphalt once every five years to preserve the integrity of the asphalt and to improve its faded appearance. With concrete, it maintains its color with minimal fading and while it can develop cracks, this does not happen nearly as often as with asphalt.

Environmental Friendliness

• Concrete is gentler on the environment than asphalt. The rock-based material of the concrete can seamlessly be recycled into the environment, and its installation simply requires water to activate its bonding materials to yield a solid concrete surface once it dries. Asphalt requires added oil to spread it over the ground, and it releases its petroleum fumes into the air.

Costs

• By far, concrete is more expensive to install initially -- more than 40 percent higher than asphalt, with its costs being more noticeably expensive for larger applications than for residential properties. After the initial expense, concrete doesn't require further applications for many years, but asphalt regularly requires repairs and topcoat applications to maintain its smooth, dark-tone appearance.