Tehama Country Real Estate

Tehama Country Real Estate – Concrete vs. asphalt driveways M any homes come with a driveway. Whether leading to a garage or not, the driveway is a convenient place to park one or more cars. If a driveway is in need of repair or replacement, owners often choose between asphalt or concrete. There are certain factors that come into play when making a decision. More often than not, cost is a main consideration and frequently the Asphalt driveways tend to be less expensive to install than concrete. driving force behind any driveway decisions that are made. Until you realize all of the subtleties behind these materials, you may not be left to dry out without adequate sealing, the dri- able to make an informed decision. veway can become brittle and start to wear away. Concrete driveways can be sealed to pre- Cost serve their quality, but most people associate sealing with asphalt. This should be done every 5 years or so to prevent the breakdown of the According to the Do It Yourself Web site, con- oils in the asphalt. The first application of crete can cost up to 45 percent more than asphalt sealant should be applied no sooner than 8 to 12 to install generally. But if the price of crude oil is months after installation to allow the asphalt to high, and crude oil is a component of asphalt properly cure. Asphalt that is ready for sealing composition, then the asphalt could be more will start to take on a grayish hue. expensive. The best way to compare prices is to get a few estimates for each material. Depending on climate, both asphalt and con- Staining crete can be prone to cracking. In many cases, it is more expensive to mend cracks in a concrete driveway than in one made from asphalt. A light-colored concrete can be stained easily from fluid leaks from the underside of a car or leaves. It may take powerwashing to remove the Weather compatibility stain adequately. However, stains are much less visible on dark asphalt. But asphalt can do its own type of staining. The oils released from the asphalt can stick to If you live in a very hot climate, you may want the undersides of shoes and be carried indoors. to choose a concrete driveway. Asphalt tends to If you don't remove your shoes upon entering, get soft in the heat, which can contribute to these oils may eventually discolor vinyl or tile grooves and dents in the surface. Whereas con- floors or get imbedded into the carpeting. crete driveways work better in warm climates than cold ones. Salt used on roadways can damage concrete, and cold-weather shrinkage can Variety lead to cracks in the concrete. What you see is what you get with asphalt. There really are no decorative options -- it's Rate of repair merely a simple and practical driveway materi- Despite the cost, some people choose concrete stamped to provide designs and aesthetic driveways because they tend to have a longer appeal. If you desire a higher-end driveway, life with less maintenance required. A concrete then concrete may be right for you. al. On the other hand, concrete can be colored or driveway can last as long as 50 years. Asphalt Both driveway materials will do what they're driveways can last around 30 years, but if supposed to -- providing a durable surface on they're not properly maintained, may start dete- which to park your car. If you're looking for low riorating after just a few years. That's because installation costs, then you may want to choose asphalt is petroleum-based and very elastic. If asphalt. For the utmost in durability, perhaps concrete is best. 3

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