There are interesting pros and cons for both asphalt and concrete driveways. Should you pour a concrete slab or just asphalt the car access? Read more.
Please note that the price information in this article was based on data from 2018 and may now be outdated.
Generally, you can expect your asphalt driveway to be cheaper than concrete. Some experts even claim that asphalt can be almost 30% – 40% cheaper than the same surface covered in concrete.
- Australian average for asphalting services is $25/m2 to $40/m2.
- Concreting is $65 – $85, depending on the slope of the terrain, finish and many other options.
When the price is in question, it is obvious that asphalting is the more economical variant, at least in the beginning. Over time, repairs can add to this price and shrink this advantage. It is hard to say whether asphalt or concrete makes a better option for your driveway. It all depends on your priorities and expectations.
Asphalt is made out of aggregates and bitumen, while concrete is made out of cement and aggregates. They are both very similar, and the difference is in the adhesive used. This price discrepancy comes from the lower price of bitumen in comparison with cement.
It is questionable whether concrete is more expensive since it is more durable. Even the price per square metre can be reduced if you find the right concrete. Ask for quotes from experienced concreters, and you’ll see how much your project costs and whether it pays off to go for a cheaper option.
Is Asphalt or Concrete Better for the Driveway?
This depends on many factors. When considering a good and high-quality driveway, you should take into consideration the following:
- Driveway Durability
- Convenience
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Colours and Design
What is More Durable: Asphalt or Concrete?
Concrete takes the medal on this one. It is definitely more durable than asphalt. Asphalt is more likely to crack, and it doesn’t last as long as concrete does. While you can expect the asphalt to last around 20 years, concrete slab driveways will easily last for 30 or even 40.
What Maintenance Is Expected for Asphalt and Concrete Driveways?
While asphalt is more likely to crack, it is much easier to fix. Cracks and breaks of concrete occur more rarely, but they are not as easy to fix as those that happen on asphalt.
Your asphalt driveway will not tolerate the heat that well. This can turn out to be quite an issue for hot Australian weather. On the other hand, concrete doesn’t stand up well to extreme cold, but it is highly unlikely that winters in Australia can get that severe to hurt it.
You will probably have to reseal your asphalt every 3 to 5 years, while you don’t have to do that for your concrete. When done thoroughly, your concreting doesn’t have to be fixed ever.
Another thing that you have to think about when making a driveway is the stains. You can expect oil stains and maybe even some petrol stains. Oil stains will not be that visible on asphalt, and they are difficult to scrub off the concrete. On the other hand, a petrol stain can damage asphalt while it will simply leave an ugly mark on concrete.
What Is More Convenient: Asphalt or Concrete?
In terms of curing, asphalt is much more convenient. You can drive over your brand-new asphalt driveway within three days, while you can walk on it even after only 24 hours.
The situation with concrete is a bit different. Concrete curing lasts longer. Don’t even think about driving on your concrete slab driveway until at least a week has passed after concreting.
Image from pyramidconcrete.com.au
Also, asphalt is much easier to install. It is a quick process that doesn’t take a lot of time and planning like concrete, but it does require a gravel base, just like your average concrete slab.
What Looks Better: Asphalt or Concrete?
This is up to your own taste, but there are a lot more options that you can have with concrete than you can have with asphalt. There are some who simply love the elegant, black surface of asphalt and they find it one of the biggest appeal of this material.
On the other hand, concrete offers so many more options. If you want to avoid the usual concrete slab colour, you can go for one of the finishes:
- Colouring
- Polishing
- Stamping
- Stencilling
Colouring the asphalt is the most economical way to add some design to it. It doesn’t cost much to add powdered pigment to the concrete mix and the result will be interesting and subtle hues of your driveway.
You can also add colours to the wet concrete slab. Some even experiment with adding an extra layer of powder colour after the first one. The last option is to paint over the driveway. There are many different colours that can be used in this way, but they are mostly acrylic or latex.
Polishing concrete is another option. By sanding it down thoroughly, you can expose the aggregates. The deeper the sanding goes, the more exposed the stones and gravels are. This is a nice aesthetic touch to the driveway.
This surface is then polished and sealed. It means it can have a matte or glossy finish. However, it is not advisable to overpolish your driveway because it can be slippery and dangerous.
Stencilling means that your driveway can have different patterns, colours and shapes painted on it. Good stencils are elegant and add to the overall appearance of your home, together with the driveway.
Stamping even adds texture to the concrete slab surface. There are examples of excellent concrete slab stamping which looks precisely like stone driveways. The options are plenty.
However, with so many options come prices. Each of these finishes will add significantly to the price of your concrete slab driveway. Be careful not to overpay your concreting.
The prices are dependent on the material and the project itself, but they also depend on the labour work and the duration of the project. These last two factors can vary and there is your chance to save.
