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4 Advantages Of Using Asphalt To Pave Your Driveway

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Paving the driveway of your home is a big undertaking, and one of the most important decisions you'll make when in the planning stages is what kind of material you'll end up using. Concrete, brick, gravel and asphalt are all popular choices in homes across the country, so why choose one over the others? Keep reading to discover four advantages asphalt has over other materials and why it may be the best option for you and your home. 

Cost

When people are comparing materials, one of the first things they'll look for is affordability. Asphalt is far and away the cheapest paving material, as you can expect to find contractors who will pave a driveway for only two dollars per square foot. Of course, you'll have to factor in other costs, such as tree removal, grading and labor. But all other things considered, asphalt remains the preferred material for those looking to save money.

Durability

Many people who live in climates with hot summers and cold winters prefer using asphalt to pave their driveways because of its durability and adaptability to all weather conditions. Rather than cracking under pressure like other materials such as concrete, asphalt expands and contracts as necessary. This means that asphalt driveways often look better for a longer period of time than their concrete cousins.

Ease of Repair

Just because asphalt can stand up to some severe weather conditions doesn't mean that it's impervious to cracks. The good news is that even if you do see a couple of cracks starting to form in your asphalt driveway, you can easily repair it on your own with materials that are readily available at your local home improvement store. The same can't be said of concrete or brick, which are more difficult to repair on your own and often require professional expertise.

Appearance

If you leave your car on your driveway for almost any amount of time, it's bound to show the evidence of oil spills. That said, oil spills are far less noticeable on an asphalt surface than they are on concrete, brick or gravel, which goes a long way toward maintaining the like-new appearance of a driveway. Of course, if you have particularly bad luck with oil spills and want to remove them, you can have your asphalt driveway re-paved for a fraction of the cost that you'd have to spend for paving a concrete driveway. 


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