Concrete vs. asphalt

[Kevin54]

I snapped these Sunday after running the snowblower. This was about 2 hours later and around 15°F. The concrete was not melting and the asphalt had already melted off and was starting to dry up. The sun was barely peaking but was enough to warm the asphalt up. I just thought I'd post the pics in case anyone was trying to decide on the two. Although the concrete is way more durable, I hate ice. As of yesterday evening, I still had snow and ice on the concrete and the asphalt was completely clean.

 

[NXGTS]

Any idea on the life span of concrete vs. asphalt. I'm kicking both around for after the garage consrtruction. It seems either way you have to give something up. Concrete you give up your dollars. Asphalt you give up some durability.

 

[tkaotic]

Also in case you didnt know for some states Concrete drive ways add to your house value so you may more in taxes on your house vs asphalt like you said is considered temporary and doesnt add to your house assessment

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Asphalt that isn't too thin will last a long time on a stable base, especially if you seal it. Concrete hates salt as well, so I would avoid it in my area.

 

[Kevin54]

With as bad as we always get ice in the winter and getting older I really don't want to take a dive. Our concrete has a turnaround drive that you can't see in the pic that everyone wants to use as a turnaround when they don't know where they are driving to, plus the fact that we have some bad spots in the drive that need repaired. We are going to take out the turnaround and just make it so we can back out of the garage into a spot then pull out. But we are going to take all the concrete out and put asphalt in just for the melting value of the ice

 

[Identaltech]

Go to the store and check out the parking lots.
around here the concrete parking lots last much longer.
The asphalt lots seem break up.
Nice feature of asphalt if you park in the same spot it has self parking.
Ever park a motorcycle on asphalt on a hot summer day?
I'll stay with concrete.

 

[Kevin54]

Go to the store and check out the parking lots.
around here the concrete parking lots last much longer.
The asphalt lots seem break up.
Nice feature of asphalt if you park in the same spot it has self parking.
Ever park a motorcycle on asphalt on a hot summer day?
I'll stay with concrete.

Most of the time we never have anything parked on a driveway for very long. Usually all of the vehicles set in the garage. I have never been one to let a vehicle set out. But I do know what you mean about self parking. I had a car trailer that did that.
For me, falling is my worst fear. With an artificial shoulder and the problems I have with it, falling is not an option that I want. And combined with the fact that some of the drive needs redone anyways...........

 

[NUTTSGT]

Any more around here, it seems asphalt is catching the concrete in price. Add in the price to have somebody seal it every year or other year and it gets closer.

The asphalt does seem to clear up faster, my guess due it being black and absorbing more of the suns heat. Which will also make it hotter in the summer.

The asphalt is cheaper on the property taxes too, like said above.


Best of both worlds ? Can you stain concrete black ? Pass it off as asphalt to the county appraiser ? Maybe a longer life without having to seal it every year ?

 

[djjsr]

For a decorative look, asphalt can be easily embossed with jackstands.

 

[Bear]

Why remove the concrete? It is a "stable base"! Just over lay it with the asphalt. You will need a lot less asphalt that way also.

 

[JJ Deuce]

For a decorative look, asphalt can be easily embossed with jackstands.

I used to sell asphalt for a living. this statement rings true in South Texas.

 

[bucs012]

We just moved into our acreage last Fall. Has a nice THICK black top drive that runs about 60-70 feet. Then turns into a new concrete pad about 30 feet by 30 feet that butts up to the original black top where my new garage is.

Cost of concrete is a lot more here in Iowa than black top. All neighbors have black top drives. They need more TLC but on an acreage I am not worried about it so much.

In the city our drive was the original 1975 concrete and was really cracked and settled down (between pads) as much as half an inch when we moved in. We lived there 13 years and never did fix it but it had gotten much worse! Sold the house and the new buyers never said nothing about it.

With the cold winter, ice and snow we have had this year in Iowa, both cement and blacktop have been just as bad...............With my Harley, I carry around a round splastic disk to use under my kickstand when I park on asphalt. Just in case it's a hot day........

 

[orf]

Hilarious.

For a decorative look, asphalt can be easily embossed with jackstands.

 

[Mike83]

If you like to walk around barefoot in summer go with concrete.

Snowblowing and shoveling would be easier on asphalt with its lack of joints.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

With my Harley, I carry around a round splastic disk to use under my kickstand when I park on asphalt. Just in case it's a hot day........

Yep. I always carried a metal double gang box cover. Came in handy many times...

 

[porschedude996TT]

How about coloring the concrete black?