Driveways and parking lots break down. That is simply a fact here in the greater Toledo area. Our winters get frigid, and then warm up, creating rising and cracking in any surface. The potholes and cracks in the road are the only evidence necessary to prove that point.
When it is time to replace your driveway, we always recommend you do your homework to determine what is best for you. To that end, here’s four benefits of concrete driveways or parking lots:
Lower Lifetime Cost
Concrete lasts, on average, nearly twice as long as an asphalt driveway. So, while it is cheaper to put in an asphalt driveway today, you’ll likely be doing it again in 12 to 15 years compared to the 27 to 30 years for a concrete driveway. Depending on how well you maintain it, it could even last fifty years, especially if you have it sealed every year or two.
Reduced Maintenance
Maintaining a concrete driveway or parking lot is simple. It usually needs to be hosed down once in a while. You can choose to have it sealed as this is a good investment since it protects the concrete from the elements. But you don’t have to do this every year. Even if you don’t seal it the concrete driveway will still last longer than one made from asphalt.
An additional benefit is that it isn’t going to degrade when exposed to various petroleum products. It’s not necessary to clean up spills of motor oil and gasoline before it can damage it. That isn’t the case with asphalt. This is beside the fact that you’ll never have to worry about the concrete getting so hot that it becomes sticky, potentially damaging tires and shoes.
Versatility
If you want the concrete to look like one made from paver stones, it can be stamped with imprints to give it exactly that look. If you like the look of a rock driveway, you could have a layer of pebbles embedded in the concrete while still having a more durable surface than asphalt, all while knowing you’ll never end up with the muddy mess gravel driveways can turn into. You could have colorants mixed into the concrete so that it resembles the soil or reflects your artistic tastes.
It Handles the Heavy Loads
Heavy loads are why highways are made from concrete and not asphalt. An asphalt driveway is prone to being permanently deformed when you park heavy vehicles on them. Even a bike or motorcycle kickstand could indent the surface. Dolly wheels for trailers have to be put on pads to prevent indentations on the surface if you have an asphalt driveway.
Concrete doesn’t have this issue. Likewise, concrete doesn’t get scuffed if someone with power steering is turning the tires while the vehicle is stationary. Compare this to the warnings that you shouldn’t let the bike kickstand rest on the asphalt early in its life if you don’t want it to show.
While these are the four benefits of a concrete driveway or parking lot, time is an important factor. Keep in mind that whatever deadline you set for work to be complete, you still won’t have access to your driveway for at least one week. Many concrete driveway contractors recommend 2-4 weeks of drying time to ensure the strength and longevity of the driveway. Factor your plans into the project deadline by adding several weeks to the projected completion date.
When you are ready, and have considered these benefits, give us a call, and we can schedule a time to come out and discuss your needs and provide you with an estimate that will include a time frame that is suitable for you.