If you are a home or business owner in the San Antonio Area and trying to decide
between paving your driveway or parking lot with Asphalt Pavement or Concrete, the
decision can really be a daunting one, especially if you are not completely read up on
the subject.
One of the first things you might want to consider is the average temperatures that San
Antonio sees in a typical season. Luckily, the temperatures are pretty moderate and we
experience just about “every season” in our climate. Most contractors recommend
Asphalt Paving for colder climates and Concrete paving for warmer ones, but with
places that experience all four seasons, like us, it might be best to consider going with
the surface material that is more adaptable to every environment choice: Asphalt
Paving.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why Asphalt Paving is better suited for your
next project over Concrete.
- Concrete is susceptible to frost, expansion and contraction and over time, this
can ultimately damage and deteriorate the surface and cost you tons of money in
repairs. - Concrete also tends to break down with prolonged exposure to salt.
- Concrete does not absorb heat from the sun as effectively as Asphalt does,
therefore, making it a poor choice in an area like San Antonio that still has the
possibility of seeing snow in winter. Even in January when the temperatures dip
below 40 degrees, you don’t want to find your driveway or parking lot iced over
from a previous day’s rain.
Asphalt Paving is not affected by any of these things. Asphalt Paving isn’t really affected
much by the seasonal temperatures and it is relatively unaffected by salt, whether
spread on the roads in winter. Asphalt Paving is an excellent substance that absorbs
sunlight, making any snow that COULD fall in San Antonio disappear that much quicker!
Did you also know that Asphalt Paving is considered by many to be “environmentally
friendly?” If you are Earth conscience, this should make you a happy customer! Much of
the materials used in Asphalt Paving are made of recycled materials, unlike its
counterpart, which has to be broken up and hauled away to the local landfill. Some
Asphalt Paving materials can also be made so it is porous, to aid in water drainage.
With an area like San Antonio that might see a lot of rainfall in a season, it is a good
idea to go with a product that will give you the least amount of headaches.
One of the biggest pluses in the use of Asphalt Paving is the ease in preparation and
setting it. It is, by far, much easier to work with than Concrete. Maintenance of Asphalt
Paving is also simpler because you only have to repair the top layer, when needed. The
middle and lower layers are basically permanent, unless you are completely getting rid
of the surface. This factor alone makes the cost over the lifetime of the surface more
affordable than Concrete.
So, now that you know some of the factors in determining what material is best to use
on your next project, you can make a better, more sound decision.