How Much Does Asphalt Driveway Cost

The decision to pave your parking lot, court, walkway, or driveway will offer you different advantages ranging from increasing the aesthetics of your home to improving your driving condition and the manner how you can maintain your home. The materials used in this kind of project will matter the most. And when it comes to providing a clean, safe, economical, and durable finished product, asphalt is a good option to go with.

An asphalt paving job can be done the DIY way, but it is recommended to hire professional help to achieve a quality job as it requires skills and specific tools. If you choose the DIY route, then you have to understand that different factors will affect the quality of your end product and the cost that you will need to spend in the project.

The Cost

Due to its affordable cost, asphalt is used in different industries and applications. But, the most common application that you will see asphalt being used to is installing a driveway. With an average cost of $3-$5 per square foot, asphalt is, in fact, the most affordable choice that you can have to install a new driveway. But, the cost of installation does not only depend on how big or small the project is. It is affected by factors such as local material cost, drainage add-on, base coat, tops coats and sealants, clearing and excavation, and foundation.

  • Clearing and Excavation. If you don’t have an existing surface, your contractor will need to create one to give room for your new driveway.
  • Every driveway surface will need a good foundation of gravel which will cost about $2.50 per square foot.
  • Material Cost. This is the cost of transporting the materials needed to do the project, the market price, and fuel surcharges.
  • The life of your driveway can be affected by your drainage. In some instances, a drainage needs to be created to protect your driveway.
  • Base Coat. On average, the cost of adding a base coat to protect your driveway is about $1-$2.50 per square foot.
  • Special Top Coats and Sealants. Besides basic top coats, you can opt to add a special coat or sealant which will cost you about $3-$5 per square foot.

Is Asphalt Paving Cheaper Than Concrete Paving?

There are different types of materials that can be used to pave your driveway. If you want to save cost, you can have a gravel driveway , which is the cheapest of them all, or install a pavers driveway, which is the most expensive choice. But, the most common materials used to pave a new driveway are asphalt and concrete. However, choosing the kind of material to use is not that easy. You have to weigh in different factors like your budget, your location, and the type of weather conditions that you may experience all year round.

If your location experiences cold climates most of the time, then asphalt is a good choice for you. It has the ability to adapt to different weather conditions from cold to hot. It can contract and expand with the weather. If you opt for a concrete driveway, you have to take into consideration that without proper treatment, it can crack below freezing temperatures. And when it comes to repair and maintenance, concrete driveways lean towards the more expensive spectrum in comparison to repairing and maintaining asphalt driveways.

If you live in a warmer country, it would be more common to see concrete paving than asphalt paving. The reason for this is the difference in lifespan that each material can provide. On average, a concrete driveway will last up to 30 years in comparison to 20 years with asphalt. But, asphalt still remains the cheaper choice than concrete for the same reason stated above, and this is despite having to resurface the driveway every 3-5 years.

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