Having an asphalt driveway or paved area can help your home look a bit more attractive, and cleaning it doesn’t have to be a hassle as many believe it to be. Not everyone knows this, but asphalt paving history dates back all the way to the ancient city of Babylon, and the Romans used it as well. Even then, people knew that using asphalt could prove to be beneficial.

For those curious about what asphalt paving means, it is roughly 95% gravel, sand, or stone that is bound together by asphalt cement, which is a crude oil product.

Your asphalt driveway and walkway can get very dirty, especially if cars stop on them regularly. Although sealcoating parking lots help, all spills and marks cannot be prevented, so a little bit of elbow grease can make a world’s difference. Dish soap and powdered detergent can quickly get rid of oil and grease stains and won’t harm asphalt driveway materials. Using asphalt for your construction projects and home renovations is the way to go.

It is necessary to keep fixing up your property, due to the natural wear and tear both people and weather have on your outside areas. If you have a driveway, pavement, or room that needs to be repaired or constructed, you should consider using concrete or asphalt. Not only are these materials extremely popular in the United States, but they have superior durability to most other substances, they are environmentally friendly, and they come in a variety of colors. Read on to see why choosing concrete or asphalt for your next project is sensible.

Reasons to Repair with Concrete or Asphalt

1. The durability is unmatched.

Projects that involve concrete or asphalt generally involve outdoor areas that are constantly treaded on. This means a lot of wear and tear happens to these locations, so you need a material that can support consistent erosion. Just imagine how often a driveway is used, especially if a family has young children. They are riding bikes, playing hopscotch, and drawing with chalk throughout the year on the pavement. Mother nature also unleashes her fury out directly onto a driveway, so you need to find a material that can last for a long time. Luckily, concrete will actually have a long, useful lifespan of about 25-50 years, if installed and maintained correctly. This means that if you construct your driveway with concrete, you will be able to sit back and enjoy it for years and year to come. You might even have moved to a new house before it needs to be redone! This can save you a lot of time, money, and effort in the long run.

2. Reuse and Recycle- Be Environmentally Friendly.

It is becoming increasingly more important to consider the impact everyday activities have on the environment. As an eco-friendly consumer, you can rest assured that using asphalt is actually environmentally friendly! This is because almost all asphalt used in 2013 was reused, and 67.8 million tons of asphalt pavement material was reclaimed. There are a lot of roads and parking lots in the country, and most of them are paved with asphalt. Your new driveway or pavement could be constructed using recovered asphalt from any of these areas. You can not only finish your next project, but you can feel good about the materials and decisions you made while constructing it.

3. Create and develop your own style.

Designing your dream home is an exciting process, one in which you can take control of and allow your own creative juices to flow. You definitely do not want an obstacle like color to stop you from developing your ideas. Fortunately, colored concrete is available in upwards of 250 hues and shades. This means that no matter what color your imagination can think of, concrete probably comes in it. So if you decide you want to take a chance, be unique, and have a blue driveway, go for it! There is no need for you to change your ideas or dreams if you are working with concrete. Your contractor can help you make your ideas a reality, and can make sure your new project is durable and long-lasting.

If you found these reasons helpful, then consider discussing them with your contractor before you begin your next project. Your project should reflect your own ideas and dreams, and, with all the time and effort you are putting into completing it, it should last for a long time. Concrete and asphalt are two great materials that provide durability and choice, plus they are environmentally- friendly. Every house needs upkeep, which can become expensive and time consuming. Make your effort worth it by considering concrete and asphalt.