Understanding Asphalt And Concrete: Two Essential Paving Materials
Concrete is the second-most consumed material on the planet (the most consumed is water). Asphalt isn’t used as often as concrete, but it’s still an incredibly popular material for paving roads, parking lots, and other surfaces.
Most paved roads are paved with concrete, asphalt, or a combination of the two. Understanding the advantages of both—and the differences between them—can help you determine if a surface should be paved with asphalt, concrete, or both.
Composition And Manufacturing Differences
Concrete is made of three parts: Cement (typically Portland cement), aggregates (like gravel), and water. Asphalt is made from two ingredients: Aggregates and bitumen. Various additives can be included in the mixture for either concrete or asphalt in order to protect the pavement, speed up the curing process, and more.
These differences in composition lead to two very different types of pavement, where concrete is hard and static, and asphalt is softer, spongier, and more flexible.
Cost Comparison: Asphalt Vs. Concrete For Calgary Projects
Asphalt is less expensive to install than concrete per square foot; it also cures faster, which means roads, parking lots, and other paved surfaces are accessible sooner when they are paved with asphalt.
As we will explore in the next section, however, concrete has a longer lifespan than asphalt. In the right conditions, this means concrete will need fewer repairs. You’ll have to replace it less often, which can lead to cost savings over time.
Durability And Performance In Calgary’s Climate
To appreciate the difference in performance between asphalt and concrete, it’s important to consider how the materials perform in the heat and cold.
Asphalt is much better at tackling expansion and contraction thanks to its soft, spongy composition—but very high heat can lead to asphalt becoming too soft and rutting.
Concrete, on the other hand, is quite stiff—and that means it’s more likely to crack during freeze-thaw cycles but won’t get soft in the heat—so there’s less risk of rutting.
Another important factor to consider is the relative strength of both materials. Concrete is tougher than asphalt and can handle heavier loads.
In Calgary, high-traffic areas—like intersections and bus-only routes—are commonly built using concrete. Parking lots, residential streets, and other paved surfaces with less frequent, fast, and heavy traffic are often paved using asphalt.
Some areas are paved using both—a combination of asphalt and concrete can provide a number of benefits, including faster repairs, lower downtime, and reduced costs.
Maintenance And Repair Considerations
There are a couple of simple rules of thumb for maintenance and repair when it comes to concrete and asphalt:
- Asphalt paving can be repaired more quickly and for less money.
- Concrete paving needs to be repaired less frequently.
These rules assume that the concrete and asphalt have been installed properly.
Making The Right Choice For Your Calgary Property
Both asphalt and concrete have their place in Calgary. For homeowners, we typically recommend opting for asphalt driveways; they’re substantially less expensive than concrete and much easier to repair. The lower frequency of traffic also means you’re less likely to need repairs.
For parking lots and other commercial projects, asphalt or a combination of asphalt and concrete is often best.
Not sure whether asphalt paving or concrete paving is right for you? Contact Infinity Asphalt today. We’ll help you determine which type of paving is right for your property.