Concrete vs. Asphalt When Paving A Parking Lot

Deciding between concrete or asphalt for your parking lot can be a difficult decision. There are pros and cons to both options and finding the right fit for your location, budget, and schedule can be a challenge. Whether you want to update your existing parking lot or need a parking lot for a new build site, some key things to consider before choosing concrete or asphalt are installation time, maintenance, climate, and cost. Once you know whether you want to choose concrete or asphalt, Moss Concrete & Excavating is the best choice for quality concrete installation. Contact our crew today at (217) 741-2039 to schedule the installation of your concrete parking lot!

Installation Time

Installation time might be important to your decision-making if you have a short deadline. concrete and asphalt have different installation techniques and cure times so it’s important to keep that in mind when you are choosing which one to go with.

It is no secret that asphalt has a quicker installation and cure time than concrete. If you choose asphalt for your parking lot, your lot can be fully functioning in two or seven days depending on the climate. Asphalt material is also readily available meaning your project can start sooner.

Unlike Asphalt, concrete takes a bit more time to install and cure. Depending on the climate, concrete can take about seven days to cure after installation. Although that is not an unreasonable time to wait, it all comes down to when you need a functioning parking lot.

Maintenance

Maintenance is an important factor to consider when deciding what material to choose for your parking lot. Before choosing the material with the cheaper installation cost, it’s recommended that you consider how much you will spend on maintenance down the road.

Asphalt is the cheaper option when it comes to installation; but with the amount of maintenance it requires, you might end up spending more than you would if you had chosen concrete. Asphalt requires routine preventive maintenance about every four to five years.

Concrete has a more expensive installation cost but requires minimal maintenance. Concrete also has a longer life span of more than 40 years, whereas asphalt will only last 15 to 20 years.

Climate

Asphalt and concrete work better in different climates. It is important to consider the climate of where you live before choosing the best option for your parking lot.

Asphalt works best in colder climates by melting snow with the help of the sun. Harsh warm climates can negatively affect asphalt by causing it to shrink, expand, and produce an oil sheen.

Concrete works best in warmer climates because it does not soften under harsh heat. Concrete in colder weather is subjected to frost heaves and can be damaged by salt used to melt snow.

Cost of Ownership

At the end of the day, it is best to consider how much you will spend in the long run. How much will installation cost? How much will maintenance cost? How much will repairs or replacement cost? These are all things to consider before choosing the best parking lot material.

Asphalt has a cheaper installation cost but requires a lot more maintenance which can be costly. If asphalt needs repairs, it is affordable and can be done easily. However, Asphalt only lasts half as long as concrete so it will need to be replaced more often.

Concrete costs more to install but does not require a lot of maintenance, which can save you money. If your concrete lot needs repairs, it can be a difficult and costly process. However, concrete can last over 40 years so it won’t need to be replaced as often as asphalt would.

For the Springfield area, concrete is the cheapest and most effective choice to choose for your parking lot. Contact Moss Concrete & Excavating to provide reliable concrete installation for your parking lot!