Get our Driveway Contractors’ Perspective on Which Driveway Material is Best For You
turnaround driveway constructed by concrete driveway contractors
Your driveway is an important part of your home. It’s the first thing that you, visitors, friends, and potential purchasers see when arriving at your house, and plays a large part in your yard’s overall ‘curb appeal’. Investing in a smart driveway will add value to your home, make it easier to sell, and provide an attractive area to park your vehicles.
If your research process has already discounted gravel at the cheaper end of the price spectrum and brick pavers at the high end, you’re likely thinking about either concrete or asphalt as your driveway material of choice. This, however, is not the end of your process! There are still a few factors to take into account before you make your decision, such as cost, durability, versatility, and whether you like to personalize your yard. As expert driveway contractors in Nashville, we’re going to run through the pros and cons of each material to help inform your decision making.
Concrete Driveways
townhomes with matching driveways developed by concrete driveway contractors
Pros
- Concrete is a composite material of crushed stone and sand that is held together with cement. A poured concrete driveway is known for its durability and typically lasts 30-50 years, assuming it’s laid on a properly prepared base by professional driveway contractors.
- Your concrete driveway in Nashville can be personalized to suit your personality and compliment your house through staining, etching, tinting, and stamping.
- Concrete is easy to maintain and, while sealing is not required, re-sealing your driveway every five years or so will prolong its life and keep it looking like new.
Concrete driveways pros and cons
Cons
- Concrete is more expensive than asphalt. This is due in part to the cost of the material and also to the cost of installation, as pouring a concrete driveway is a heavy, difficult job and best left to a professional crew of concrete driveway contractors.
- Concrete can be more difficult to keep looking pristine; while it can be colored or stamped away from a uniform gray color, it will show every stain and mark of gasoline or oil, which can be extremely difficult to entirely remove.
- Finally, concrete requires up to a week to cure. This means that – at least for a few days – you will need to find somewhere else to park your vehicles.
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Asphalt Driveways
residential property with asphalt driveway
Pros
- It can’t be denied that an asphalt driveway will cost significantly less than one made from concrete, but if installed properly by a professional asphalt driveway contractor, it’s still likely to last around 20 years.
- Asphalt does require regular maintenance, but as is often the case, the better you look after something, the longer it will last.
- Asphalt has a dark, textured surface that is quick to install and can often be driven and walked upon the very same day.
- Re-sealing and repairing asphalt are relatively easy jobs, inexpensive, and can be done by the homeowner.
Asphalt driveways pros and cons
Cons
- Asphalt needs to be cared for: to keep it looking good, our expert asphalt driveway contractors at Greenway of Nashville recommend that you seal your new asphalt driveway six months after installation and every 3-5 years thereafter.
- Asphalt also tends to crack and crumble at the edges; so, be ready to repair lots of minor cracks!
Factors to Consider When Preparing for a Driveway Installation
All in all, there are lots of things to think about before you make your final driveway decision. Both concrete and asphalt can be attractive, durable driveways that are less expensive than some brick paver, stone, or tile options. Here’s a summary of considerations:
- Concrete is more versatile in terms of color and personalization than asphalt.
- Asphalt gets sticky in the heat and can be very hot to walk on.
- Asphalt requires sealing every few years but concrete will show every oil stain and fuel drip.
- Asphalt is easier to repair than concrete but is likely to need it more frequently.
- Concrete driveways last longer than those made from asphalt but can cost up to 45% more.
Schedule an Onsite Visit with a Driveway Contractor Today
Whatever you decide, you can rest assured that the expert driveway contractors at Greenway of Nashville are on hand to help you through the installation process. We’ve been serving the people of Nashville and surrounding communities since 2009 and are pleased to offer guaranteed quotes and the kind of quality work that we would be proud to see in our own backyards. Give us a call at (615) 238-4574 or complete our form today!
