Concrete VS Asphalt: What’s Stronger?

Two paving materials dominate the paving industry—concrete and asphalt. These two paving materials can provide amazing results in any paving project—from roadways to parking lots and driveways. However, this doesn’t mean that these two materials will give you the same results in all applications.  

The thing is, there are certain paving projects where asphalt is better suited than concrete and vice versa. In this post, we shall discuss more details about these two paving options and help you determine which paving material is stronger. Read on for more information. 

But first:

What are the pros of asphalt? 

• This paving material is made of tightly packed aggregates (crushed stone) mixed with asphalt cement. It can be laid in thin layers, so it’s less expensive than concrete.
• Asphalt can withstand heat better than concrete due to its compact nature, making it an ideal pavement surface during hot weather conditions.
• It also provides good traction—so if you’re looking for a safe parking lot or roadway surface, then asphalt may be the best option for you.

What are the pros of concrete?

• As mentioned above, concrete is very strong and durable. This paving material can last for a long time, making it ideal for heavy traffic areas such as your parking lot or driveway.
• It can withstand different weather conditions like rain and snow because this material can expand and contract with changing temperatures.
• Another major advantage of using concrete in your project is that it doesn’t require much maintenance—all you need to do is ensure that this type of paving material is clean at all times so it won’t attract unwanted elements such as dirt and other pollutants.

Why does it matter what’s stronger between concrete and asphalt?

It matters what’s stronger between concrete and asphalt because the better decision you make about your paving material selection—then the longer your parking lot or driveway will last. You also want to make sure that you’ll make a smart selection because the wrong choice may result in a terrible outcome, such as cracking and other major damage to your parking lot pavement surface.

Keep in mind that asphalt requires more maintenance than concrete, which means you will have to spend money for its regular cleaning and maintenance—and that’s something that you don’t want to deal with if you’re on a tight budget. On the other hand, concrete doesn’t require much maintenance, but this material isn’t suitable for projects requiring high-traffic areas. So what do experts say? The Jacksonville experts from CSG Sealcoating believe using asphalt for heavy traffic areas such as your parking lot while using concrete for light traffic areas makes sense.

4 important factors to consider when choosing between concrete and asphalt

Price

Most people consider this the most important factor in their decision-making process, and we agree. If price is your primary concern when selecting a paving material for your project, you should choose asphalt because concrete costs more than asphalt. After all, it requires more ingredients such as gravel and sand than asphalt.

Appearance

If appearance is one of your concerns, you should go with concrete because its uniform look can enhance the value of any property. It’s also easier to maintain because all you have to do is use water! On the other hand, asphalt doesn’t offer uniformity—it has dark and light streaks and can be extremely messy during heavy rains.

Durability

If durability is one of your concerns, concrete would be the best choice because it’s durable enough to withstand different weather conditions such as snow and rain. On the other hand, asphalt isn’t durable enough for heavy traffic areas because it can get severely damaged by different weather conditions. This type of paving material also doesn’t require much maintenance—all you need to do is make sure that it’s clean at all times so it won’t attract unwanted elements such as dirt and other pollutants.

Maintenance

If you want a low-cost maintenance option, then concrete is the best choice for you because all you have to do is keep it clean. On the other hand, asphalt requires regular cleaning and upkeep, making it more expensive in the long run.

Bottom Line

So, what’s stronger between concrete and asphalt? Concrete is stronger than asphalt. However, if you’re looking for a more durable paving option, it’s best to go with asphalt. Concrete is very strong, but this material is more susceptible to cracking and other problems that are problematic for your paving project. Most experts believe that asphalt should be used in high-traffic areas while concrete should be used in low-traffic areas, such as your parking lot. This is because asphalt needs more maintenance than concrete, which can be a problem that you don’t want to deal with in your paving project. If you’re looking for an environment-friendly option, then concrete may be the best choice for you. Still, if you’re looking for a cost-efficient material without worrying so much about high maintenance costs, then asphalt will do just fine.