Asphalt Vs Concrete Pavement

Both asphalt and concrete make great materials for a roadway or parking lot. Let’s compare the two surfaces below.

Asphalt Road Benefits

Asphalt is 100% recyclable, meaning even once it has been melted down, it can be reused as a new roadway. New asphalt is noticeably quieter than concrete. And while it creates a smooth drive overall, it also has better skid resistance and traction.

Because of asphalt’s black color, it can utilize natural heat from the sun to keep the roadways clear after storms. Heat absorbing into the surface can result in the ideal situation for moisture evaporation and snow melt. Asphalt is great when it comes to ease of maintenance and repair.

Concrete Road Benefits

Longevity is ultimately the biggest advantage of concrete roadways. On average, these roads can last anywhere from 20-40 years. Just by simply paving the concrete, its lifespan can double.

Concrete is also recyclable and can be used in multiple ways over time. Concrete roads are better than asphalt roads when it comes to high truck volume, as they hold up well against intense pressure and weight.

What Maintenance Does Asphalt Pavement Require?

While the past emphasis has been heavily on repairs, maintaining and preserving this pavement is really the best approach. Below are the three kinds of asphalt pavement maintenance.

Preventative Maintenance

This type of maintenance is ideal for extending the life of the pavement in a cost-effective way. The preventative maintenance process is ultimately a strategy of surface treatments when the asphalt is still in relatively good condition.

Preventative asphalt maintenance will address minor problems before they become serious hazards. This can include sealing small cracks and sealcoating surrounding parking lots.

Corrective Maintenance

Corrective maintenance is implemented when the pavement is in need of some repairs. Typically, this maintenance type can be quite costly.

Anything from potholes to extensive cracking calls for corrective maintenance. This can also be referred to as reactive maintenance.

Emergency Maintenance

This maintenance type is needed when there are significant safety issues that will not allow traffic to used the roadway or parking lot.

However, these are generally temporary treatments utilized to hold the surface together until permanent repairs are performed.

Differences Between Asphalt And Concrete Roads

When weighing the pros and cons of asphalt compared to concrete roadways, it’s important to consider your specific project. Both surfaces come with a plethora of benefits, as outlined above.