They say that first impressions are lasting. And as a homeowner or a realtor, you know that that first impression is all about your property’s curb appeal or simply put, your driveway. Any type of driveway that is in disrepair, regardless of the material used is an eye sore. The truth is you don’t really need your driveway to be fancy if you can’t even maintain its general upkeep in the first place. Sometimes, it is much more sensible to choose for practical options that is both affordable and is easy to repair.

Two of the most common choices for driveways are asphalt and concrete. A lot of people always ask which would be a better option, but the answer really depends on your budget, your personal preference such as if you want some touch of customization, and your foot and vehicle traffic.But for a lot of homeowners like me who are just looking for something that is both functional and within their budget, I suggest that an asphalt driveway would do. If you’re planning to install a new driveway, this article will be useful in helping you in your decisions.

Here are five reasons why asphalt is a reasonable option:

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  More Affordable

Asphalt is mainly popular because of its relatively inexpensive price range compared to its counterparts like concrete and stone. It’s also way better than just pure gravel because it has a smooth surface that will not hurt your car’s tires. The average cost to install an asphalt driveway is at around $2 – $5 per square foot whereas concrete, for instance, will set you back at 45% more than the cost of asphalt. A newly paved asphalt pavement will typically last you for about 15-25 years depending on how you’re following best maintenance practices.

• Ease of Repairs

Although periodically sealing your asphalt every 3-5 years is critical in preserving your driveway and maintaining its dark color, repairs on the other hand, are fairly easy to do compared to other driveway materials. In fact, there are DIY kits that you can easily purchase to perform minor repairs on your driveway such as crack sealing.

Moreover, another advantage of having asphalt for your driveway is that the top layer can be resurfaced unlike concrete and stone, but of course, this is in the case that your gravel base is still in perfect condition, undamaged any water percolation, and is unaffected major cracks and potholes.

• Faster Curing Time

If you are in a hurry, asphalt will be the best choice for you because it has a faster curing time and it hardens much more quickly than concrete. Asphalt dries in three to five days whereas, you have to wait for at least seven days before you can actually drive on a concrete driveway.

• Easier Ice Removal

In terms of de-icing, asphalt fairly works better than concrete. This is because asphalt has heat absorption properties that helps to melt ice at a much faster rate. As a matter of fact, there are asphalt roads now that are filled with salt which helps prevent ice buildup on roads and highways during the winter season.

Asphalt tends to do better in colder climates because intense heat can soften or crack an asphalt surface. In contrast, concrete is a better option for hotter regions as it is generally unaffected direct heat; however, it does tend to crack and swell under cold freezing conditions.

• Less Visible Stains

If you hate seeing oil leaks that badly stain your driveway, asphalt is the way to go. Its dark greyish black color is perfect for hiding oil leaks that have left a mark on your driveway. In contrast, stains and repairs are more visible with concrete pavement, and these tend to leave more obvious and permanent damage on your driveway because oil leaks can seep through the surface with much more ease than on asphalt since concrete is a generally porous material.