Is a concrete driveway cheaper than asphalt?

Cost. The cost of an asphalt driveway is typically cheaper than concrete, costing $2.00 – $4.00 per square foot. Asphalt prices tend to fluctuate with fluctuations in crude oil prices. In contrast, a concrete driveway costs between $4.00 – $6.00 per square foot for a standard installation.

Is it better to have a concrete or asphalt driveway?

Asphalt can be installed and used more quickly than concrete. When asphalt needs maintenance or replacement, usually only the top layer is repaved, the base layer and middle layer are considered permanent, which can make it more cost-effective than concrete. Typically, concrete is around 35% more costly than asphalt.

What is the cheapest type of driveway?

Aggregate, or gravel, is the cheapest and most durable of these four common driveway materials.

Is it cheaper to pave or concrete a driveway?

As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete.

Is a concrete driveway a good investment?

In almost every case, it's worth the investment. A new driveway can increase your home's value while improving the aesthetics of your house and your neighborhood. Learn more about the benefits of a concrete driveway and how it enhances your home's curb appeal.

Asphalt, Concrete or Paver Driveways- Which is the best?!?

Does a new concrete driveway increase home value?

“A [concrete] driveway can increase your property's value between 5 and 10 percent” says Fast Sales Homes. That means “a $500,000 home can increase to a $550,000 home.” On average, a new 2-car concrete driveway costs anywhere from $3-$6,000, which makes this type of an investment pretty significant.

Why do concrete driveways crack?

Concrete is made up of cement and water. As the concrete hardens and the water evaporates, the concrete shrinks. Too much water will lead to too much shrinkage, causing the concrete to crack. That's why concrete cracks are frequently seen within the first 30 days.

How much does it cost to pour a 24x24 slab of concrete?

A typical 24x24 garage slab costs between $3,057 and $5,944 with prices ranging from $5.31 to $8.31 per square foot for a 4” reinforced slab of concrete, and $6.83 to $10.32 per square foot for a 6” slab of reinforced concrete.

What lasts longer concrete or asphalt?

Lifespan and Durability

Overall, asphalt is less durable than concrete. With proper maintenance, it can last 30 years. Alternatively, concrete provides a sturdy, long-lasting option and can last homeowners 50+ years with occasional repairs and degreasing.

What type of driveway is best?

Concrete. Among the most durable options on the market is a concrete driveway surface. Although it provides a hard and stable surface, that is highly dependant on professional installation, high upfront costs, maintenance, and weather conditions.

Is there a cheaper alternative to asphalt?

Gravel. This is one of the cheapest alternatives to asphalt driveways by far, costing very little to have installed. The average gravel driveway consists of hard, angular gravel laid throughout the driveway.

How can I make an inexpensive driveway?

What is the cheapest pavement for a driveway?

Gravel is the least costly material to pave a driveway. The price ranges from $1 to $3 per square foot. The average total cost is usually around $1,200, though this number may not account for the fact that gravel is usually used to pave much larger driveways as a cost-reduction solution.

What type of driveway lasts the longest?

Concrete is the old standby for driveways. Most suburban homes opt for this material for two big reasons: Concrete is typically the longest-lasting driveway surface, and, if installed properly, it is practically maintenance-free.

How thick should a concrete driveway be?

As for thickness, non-reinforced pavement four inches thick is standard for passenger car driveways. For heavier vehicles, a thickness of five inches is recommended. To eliminate standing water, the driveway should be sloped towards the street a minimum of one percent, or 1/8 inch per foot, for proper drainage.

What is stronger asphalt or concrete?

There is a common belief that concrete pavements are stronger than asphalt pavements. The reason for this misconception is that comparisons are not made on equivalent designs. The traffic-carrying ability of asphalt or concrete pavement is approximately the same for each inch of pavement thickness.

Why do we use asphalt instead of concrete?

Asphalt provides a nicer, smoother, often quieter ride when relatively new. Concrete can be noisier because it is tined or broomed during construction to make it rough enough to provide good tire grip.

How do you maintain a concrete driveway?

How long does a concrete driveway need to cure before driving on it?

Do not drive on the concrete for the first 7 days. Leave the warning tape in place to let delivery vehicles and others know that they need to stay off your concrete. After One Week – After 7 days, it's OK to drive on your new concrete with normal passenger vehicles.

How thick should a concrete slab be?

Standard concrete floor slab thickness in residential construction is 4 inches. Five to six inches is recommended if the concrete will receive occasional heavy loads, such as motor homes or garbage trucks. To prepare the base, cut the ground level to the proper depth to allow for the slab thickness.

How much does it cost to pour a 20x20 slab?

But how much does a 20×20 concrete slab cost? You can expect to pay between $1,600 and $3,200 for a 20×20 slab. The estimates are based on the average cost of $4 to $8 per square foot for a concrete slab.

How do I keep my new concrete from cracking?

Should I caulk my concrete driveway?

Stopping water from flowing under your concrete is probably the most important thing you can do to keep your driveway from sinking and becoming out of level. Caulking the joints and cracks is the best way to stop this from happening. Even expansion joints in your concrete driveway should be caulked.

Does sealing concrete prevent cracks?

The truth is that sealing your concrete driveway won't actually get rid of the cracks that are already there. If your driveway has been pounded over the years by vehicles and the environment, the cracks that are already there won't be eliminated just because we put a layer of our tough and durable sealant over the top.