Suitable for Snow / Ice – Blacktops absorb the sun’s heat, which makes them an excellent option for cold weather environments. yd.) Still, heavy loads during extreme cold or extreme heat make your asphalt driveway more susceptible to damage. When the mercury starts topping out in the heat of the summer, your asphalt driveway can become malleable and more prone to damage. View our local asphalt pavers or get free estimates from pros near you. However, it can take up to 12 months for asphalt to completely harden and cure. One of the most important considerations with the installation of any driveway is rainfall drainage, and while the ground may look relatively level, driveways will always need grading and excavation before the asphalt is put down. The Family Handyman magazine explains factors that make an asphalt driveway durable. Affordable – Gravel’s biggest asset is its affordability. Some contractors take care of both the installation of the new driveway and the removal of all shrubbery and trees. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict, An asphalt driveway typically costs about, Asphalt requires professional equipment and a trained crew. Asphalt driveways melt dangerous snow and ice much more quickly than gravel. If you need replacement, you’ll pay $8 to $15 per square foot.Although driveways are the most common use of asphalt in the home, other applications include: The low maintenance requirement makes it a popular option when you want to create a driveway or back road without tedious maintenance requirements. Gravel can handle everyday traffic but can also stand up to farm equipment and excess weight.

Asphalt Driveway 101: The Definitive Buyers Guide to Asphalt Driveways. AskTheBuilder.com offers tips on residential asphalt paving. Gravel is more affordable but doesn’t look as good as asphalt and will wash out over time. Concrete is the other most popular choice for driveways, and better for southern locations because it’s less flexible than asphalt and doesn’t do as well in freeze-thaw climates. Looking for help to take care of your garden? If you’d like to add security or nicely designed gates at the end of your driveway, many contractors can either do that work as well, like Brena Construction in Los Angeles, CA, or are well connected to other contractors they can recommend to do the work. The recommended measuring lengths for driveways are: If all you are doing is resurfacing an existing asphalt driveway, it will cost about $54/square yard for a 3” thick layer of asphalt spread with a shovel, raked smooth, and hand tamped = $2,860 for a standard driveway. To calculate the cost to seal your asphalt driveway, find the square footage of your driveway and multiply it by the price per square foot to sealcoat. The more blacktop you have, the more expensive it will be to maintain it. How much does central air conditioning cost? How long your asphalt driveway lasts depends on your local climate, but you should expect 10 to 20 years. Because of the costs to your contractor for renting graders to scrape the ground (if needed), steamrollers, and whatever equipment is needed on top of transporting the asphalt to the site, there will always be a baseline of at least $1,500 from which a project will start. A certain percentage of the lot must remain permeable so as not to affect water drainage. Paving an asphalt driveway costs $4,688 on average, with a typical range between $2,891 and $6,489.This project runs $7 to $13 per square foot, including $2 to $6 per square foot for materials and $5 to $7 per square foot for labor.
With the above knowledge and the help of Colorado Pavement Solutions, you’ll make the perfect paving choice. Depending on how much you use your driveway, the extra vehicle effort on gravel vs. asphalt can wear your vehicle and tires down sooner.