Why Choose Asphalt for Your Home's New Driveway?

Construction & Contractors Blog

Asphalt and concrete both have their advantages when it comes to a home's driveway, but when you're ready to have a new driveway installed, you may want to consider some surprising benefits of asphalt. This material is quickly becoming the most popular choice for many homeowners, and for good reason. Note a few of those reasons here.

1. Sound insulation

The bumpy, somewhat soft texture of asphalt actually works to absorb sound waves rather than allowing them to bounce around. This can mean less noise coming from outside your home when you choose an asphalt driveway. Not only will asphalt absorb the noise of cars that may drive over the surface, but it may also absorb the sound of children playing, dogs barking, and the like. If you live near a busy roadway or school or in a somewhat loud neighborhood, an asphalt driveway, along with asphalt walkways, may cut down on the noise.

2. Affordability

Asphalt is usually cheaper to install than concrete, but its installation is not the only way it's more affordable. The repairs you may need to do to asphalt are usually much more affordable; you may be able to use a simple premade mix to fill in cracks in asphalt, whereas materials for concrete repairs can be more costly. You may even need to remove sections of concrete to provide a good surface for repairs, which also adds to the cost.

If you're concerned about the appearance of your driveway, note that concrete can be painted or stained, but this too can be very expensive. The naturally dark color of asphalt can provide a more attractive look for your property without the added expense.

3. Speed and ease of installation

Installing a concrete driveway usually takes much longer overall, as the concrete takes longer to pour and then needs to set and dry for several days. Asphalt driveways can usually be poured in one day, depending on their size, and may be ready for traffic that same day or the next at the latest. 

Asphalt is also much easier to actually install. When pouring a concrete driveway, you may need to add a wire mesh layer, then a sub base, then a base, and then the concrete; this will ensure the soil can hold the weight of the concrete and that it remains level and even. When pouring asphalt, you typically only need a base of gravel or another material to make the ground level, and can then pour the asphalt. This makes it an easier installation for those tackling the job themselves and may cut down on contractor costs since it involves less work for them.

15 September 2015