Are you planning a new driveway, walkway, or road and wondering what the best material would be to get the job done? The most common materials for these projects are certainly asphalt and concrete, but it begs the question of which is the cheaper of the two. Unfortunately, there isn’t as straightforward an answer as you might hope—for what do we mean by cheap? Lower quality or lower price? And is this answer contingent on its application?
At Asphalt Doctors, we are experienced professionals in asphalt and concrete services. Read on for our balanced analysis of whether asphalt is cheaper than concrete.
Asphalt is a mixture of binder, aggregates, and filler mainly used for constructing and maintaining roads. It is a black, viscous petroleum product - in essence, a sticky black residue that remains after processing crude oil and mixed with a combination of stone, sand, and gravel. While it may seem like a ‘newer’ road surface, it has actually been around for more than a hundred years and is, proportionally, more often used for the construction of major roadways than concrete. It is poured onto roadways in a molten form before it is cured and shaped into place.
According to the National Asphalt Paving Association, the United States has approximately 3,500 asphalt plants that produce a total of about 400 million tons of asphalt pavement—a material worth over $30 billion.
Concrete is much more similar to asphalt than many people initially believe - it is a composite material composed of aggregate (sand, stone, and gravel - much like asphalt) bonded together with a fluid cement. Surprisingly, concrete is the second-most-used substance in the world after water, mostly in the application of the built environment. When the rock, gravel, and sand aggregate is mixed with water and concrete, the fluid form of concrete is poured onto a roadway and shaped and compacted accordingly.
This material has been used for thousands of years, with some evidence of concrete floors dating back to 1400 B.C.
There are two ways in which we can define ‘cheap’, so in order to answer the question of whether asphalt is cheaper than concrete, let us first analyze if it is a lower quality, cheaper material.
Asphalt can be characterized as an overall softer surface material than concrete. This in itself is a double-edged sword. Because it’s softer, asphalt surfaces can accommodate minor settlement and deformation. It will become even softer in hot temperatures, and it can be susceptible to cracks and potholes, especially with frequent freezing and thawing cycles. Asphalt is a less durable material with a lifespan of around 20 years, but it is also relatively easy and inexpensive to maintain.
Concrete’s strong, sturdy, and solid nature makes it a durable option for all types of applications, including construction and roadways. Concrete can better withstand heavy loads and can last up to 50 years. Also, it is susceptible to damage from freezing and thawing cycles just like asphalt, and the resulting damage can sometimes be more extensive because the material itself is less flexible. Therefore, it must be built correctly and precisely to allow it to expand and contract appropriately. While this material is more durable and stronger against heavy weight and frequent use, it can be more difficult and more costly to maintain.
In terms of quality of material, asphalt is higher quality (less cheap) in the short term, but it is lower quality (cheaper) in the long term. For particular applications, however, some individuals see concrete as a more aesthetically pleasing option, such as for sidewalks and park pathways, and in other applications, such as residential roadways, asphalt is seen as the more aesthetically pleasing option.
The cost of each material is much more straightforward to answer.
Asphalt is a generally more affordable option compared to concrete. This is true for initial installations, regardless of the size of the project, but also for maintenance costs. Asphalt is very easy and cost-effective to repair using methods such as surface patching, infrared patching, full-depth patching, and seal coating.
Concrete, on the other hand, is a more expensive material. It costs more for the initial installation, but it is also expensive to repair as well. The problem with concrete is that when it is damaged, it is not easily repaired like asphalt is. Cracks can be sealed, but if the damage is more extensive, entire sections of the concrete that are damaged must be replaced completely with new concrete.
In conclusion, asphalt is a cheaper or less expensive material.
As you can see, the answer to whether asphalt is cheaper than concrete is not exactly straightforward. If by cheap we are discussing quality, it depends largely on the application of the material, though asphalt is indeed less durable and has lower longevity than concrete. This is counterbalanced by asphalt’s flexibility and ease of maintenance. For price, asphalt is by far the cheaper material. Being both affordable to install and maintain, asphalt is a fantastic choice combining quality and price.
Asphalt Doctors are experts in both asphalt and concrete installations. If you’re ready to start your own roadway project or if you have more questions before getting started, don’t hesitate to contact our team of friendly professionals today!
People wonder, for good reason, why many of Colorado’s highways are still made using concrete, whereas practically all other roads are made of asphalt. Asphalt is less expensive, more flexible, and easier to maintain, so why would construction companies and local authorities opt for concrete instead? The answer is, unfortunately, not as straightforward as you might hope; several factors contribute to the different choices of materials for highways and streets in the United States.
Since 2010, our team of experts at the Asphalt Doctors has gained extensive experience working with Colorado roads - read on for our insight on why concrete is used for highways and how this may be changing.
Concrete driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, and roads are made up of aggregates, including rock, lime, or gravel mixed with cement, which acts as a binder. Concrete can be fully recyclable using natural materials. Asphalt roads are very similar except that instead of cement as a binder, asphalt is a semi-solid form of petroleum.
Asphalt roads are semi-recyclable and have become incredibly popular due to their low cost to install and maintain compared to concrete. They are extremely quick to install and reseal, further reducing costs. Furthermore, the rough granulated texture of asphalt roads provides far greater traction and skid resistance than concrete roads; asphalt is also heat-absorbing, which can better defrost winter ice and frost, significantly reducing the hazards of a slippery road. On top of that, because of asphalt’s flexibility, damaged asphalt roads usually only require a quick patch compared to concrete, which often requires a full slab to be removed and replaced.
There are over 4 million miles of road in America and over 45,000 miles of road that compiles the Interstate Highway System. The United States government began building the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s, and their primary standards were that the road would A) provide a long service life and B) provide safe travel. Both concrete and asphalt were in use at this time, but concrete was predominantly chosen due to the first standard - that these highways would offer a long service life.
The main benefit of concrete is that it has a very long lifetime. Concrete roads can last up to 40 years before needing to be resealed, are naturally resistant to oil leaks, and are far less likely to develop potholes than asphalt. Asphalt, on the other hand, is usually resealed within 14 years and is less durable. Concrete is what is referred to as a “rigid” pavement, whereas asphalt is referred to as a “flexible” pavement - concrete has the advantage that it can withstand much heavier traffic for longer periods of time, and thus, it almost becomes obvious that concrete would be chosen even though it has a higher installation cost than asphalt. While less well-known, concrete can also be better for fuel consumption. Due to its reduced friction, vehicles may save between 1-14% on fuel when driving on concrete instead of asphalt.
Concrete has historically been a popular highway choice, but this is not the case with roads across America more broadly. Only 30% of the Interstate Highway System still uses concrete today, and approximately 94% of urban roads use asphalt. Concrete lasts longer, so why is asphalt now the favored option?
Probably the biggest reason for asphalt’s popularity is its low installation cost, coming in at around 40% less overall expense. In areas with harsh weather and temperature changes, concrete can be prone to cracking and often requires an expensive repair. Asphalt, on the other hand, is very inexpensive to repair comparatively. Asphalt can be laid and repaired faster and for less than concrete, making it an ideal choice when finances are a 10-20-year consideration.
Asphalt is also a safer driving surface. As previously mentioned, asphalt roads have more excellent traction than concrete, making them less prone to hazardous freezing conditions - the same reason concrete is considered more fuel efficient: its slicker and less friction-inducing surface makes it less safe. While concrete roads can withstand heavier traffic over extended periods of time, asphalt is more flexible and better suited to accommodate frequent turns, stopping, and starting, a common feature of urban and residential areas. Finally, asphalt roads are known for reducing noise pollution due to their softer texture. According to a 2013 study by the World Road Association, asphalt roads were able to reduce sound by up to 7 decibels - a key advantage, once again, in urban and residential areas.
In summary, concrete has been used for highways due to:
On the other hand, asphalt roads are being used more for highways and non-highway contexts due to:
While we are indeed the Asphalt Doctors, our experienced professionals can deliver a solution to your roadway project using concrete or asphalt. Each paving material has advantages and disadvantages, but we’re here to serve you with a product that meets all standards of professionalism. Our experts are here to exceed your expectations through quality, ethics, and service.
If you or someone you know is searching for a new roadway surface or repairs to an existing one, contact the Asphalt Doctors today!
Driving surfaces, whether parking lots or roads, are often made of one of two types of material: concrete or asphalt. Concrete and asphalt have their respective advantages, but is one material better to use than the other? Read on for our neutral comparison, and gain deeper insight to help decision-making on your own project.
Need professional help for your road, parking lot, or driveway project? Contact the experts at the Asphalt Doctors right away.
Concrete is made from a mixture of sand, cement, and gravel. This mixture is then poured and left to cure for approximately one week, creating a strong, durable, and long-lasting concrete surface. It is often gray in color.
Asphalt, on the other hand, is made from a mixture of sand, stone, and petroleum products to create a durable adhesive that is rolled out and cooled. It is often black in color.
Overall, many factors contribute to whether concrete or asphalt is the best option for parking lots and roads. Ultimately, it comes down to your project’s particular situation and needs, but for most situations, our team of experts recommends asphalt parking lots and roads.
If you have a project that needs a short-term solution, asphalt is great because it has a lower average cost ($2-4 per square foot vs. concrete’s $4-6 per square foot). Repairs are also easy, quick, and inexpensive compared to the alternative.
Additionally, in climates like Colorado, it’s smart to choose a product that can withstand the frequent fluctuations in temperature. Concrete can easily erode and crack with constant freezing, thawing, and the application of antifreeze chemicals. Asphalt, on the other hand, does well against highly variable temperatures and can, again, be easily repaired in case of damage.
Some projects, like major highways, must withstand up to 40+ years of wear and tear, making concrete a more economically viable solution. Similarly, if a project requires as little greenhouse gas emissions as possible, concrete could be the right choice for you.
If you are considering a new road, parking lot, or driveway, it’s important to work with the experts in Colorado. Contact the professionals at the Asphalt Doctors today to get started!
