Asphalt vs Concrete: Which
paving material should you use?
by uniquepaving June 12th, 2018
It can be hard to know
whether to use concrete or
asphalt pavement when
performing repairs. Neither
material is better than the
other, and some are ideal for
specific projects. When
deciding between concrete vs
asphalt roads or parking lots,
you’ll need to consider a few pros and cons.
Often, people choose their paving material based on upfront costs.
Many people want an economical or cheap solution. Sometimes the
right pavement choice can also be a bargain; however, this is not
always the case. The costs of concrete and asphalt fluctuate
regularly, you will end up with a short-term solution and added
material costs if you select a paving material that satisfies your wallet
but not your paving needs.
Understanding a few basic pavement advantages and disadvantages
will help when it comes time to calculate your materials—both now
and in the future. Here are the top pros and cons for asphalt and
concrete paving materials.
Advantages of Concrete Roads
Concrete can lessen future inconvenience and tends to have a longer
life. In fact, the lifespan of concrete pavement is 20-40 years on
average.
Concrete roads are ideal for:
new construction
new roads in urban areas
road expansions in urban areas,
and underground utility repair—all areas exposed to natural
elements and wear and tear over time.
In addition, concrete is 100 percent recyclable. It’s broken down and
used for other construction projects or in new roads and bridges.
And since concrete needs fewer repairs and maintenance over time,
fuel costs are lower for the heavy equipment and construction
machinery required to maintain it. Lower fuel costs mean lower
emissions—which help keep the environment clean.
Both concrete and asphalt offer the option of overlays. Overlays
require less construction and overall maintenance, and can help a
paving material last longer, providing resistance to salt, chemicals,
UV rays and other harmful factors such as freezing, thawing, and
vehicle spills.
The main types of concrete overlays include:
White topping
Ultra-thin white topping
Bonded overlay
Unbonded overlay
Disadvantages of Concrete Roads
Typically, the paving cost for concrete is a little higher than the
paving cost for asphalt. But in many scenarios, funding a concrete
road project can be difficult because concrete is not always
considered a short-term solution. Repairing a concrete road often
leads to replacing a whole slab—which drives up repair costs.
While concrete streets are less likely to develop potholes than
asphalt streets, safety remains a concern for motorists. Vehicles tend
to slide on concrete roadways more than asphalt during rainy or
snowy weather.
Advantages of Asphalt Roads
Asphalt is less costly than concrete, and it takes less time to build a
road made of asphalt. And like concrete, asphalt is recyclable, as it
can be melted down and used again. This is beneficial for people
who are concerned with the question: “How much does asphalt
cost?”
In addition, asphalt is appropriate for road construction and
maintenance in rural areas because certain kinds of thick asphalt
structures are long lasting and only require surface maintenance.
The many advances in asphalt overlay technologies have made these
options especially fast and cost-efficient for city and country roads.
The options for asphalt overlays include:
Recycling
Rubblization
Mill and fill
Thin overlays
Modified mixes
Open-graded friction courses
Stone-matrix asphalt
Superpave
Perpetual Pavements
Disadvantages of Asphalt Roads
Asphalt is more common than concrete, but this does not mean it is
ideal for every situation. Regions prone to heavy rains and cold, icy
winters experience damaged asphalt roads from extreme weather
conditions and wear and tear. Potholes are common on asphalt
roads. Maintenance crews often revisit the same potholes several
times a season due to the material’s tendency to break down in
cycles of freezing and thawing. This can lead to inefficiencies and
increased costs over time.
So, when it comes to concrete vs asphalt parking lot or road, the
answer can be complicated. The different qualities of each material
will ultimately matter the most to your decision. It truly depends on
the individual situation and funding opportunities. Picking out the
best paving material for your project takes planning ahead and
hands-on experience. Learn about asphalt paving and concrete
patching solutions from Unique Paving Materials.
