Concrete vs. Asphalt Driveways: Making the Right Choice for Your Midland Home

Durability and Longevity

• Concrete:
• Will last approximately 30 to 40 years when properly maintained.
• Is resistant to the hot sun in Midland.
• Doesn’t stain like oil and gas can.
• Asphalt:
• Has an average life expectancy of 15 to 20 years.
• Can get soft in extreme heat.
• Has a greater risk of damage from oil and gas spills.

Midland Factor: The extreme heat experienced in Midland provides a significant advantage to the durability of concrete.

Time to Install and Process

• Concrete:
• It takes 7 to 10 days for the concrete to fully cure.
• Site prep has to be much more precise.
• Asphalt:
• Can be used within 24 to 48 hours after installation.
• Quick to install.

Midland Factor: Asphalt’s quick installation process may seem attractive; however, the longer cure time associated with concrete is rarely a factor in Midland since we have relatively dry weather.

Required Maintenance

• Concrete:
• Very little is required for maintenance.
• Clean and seal occasionally (every few years).
• Repair cracks as they occur (usually very minimal).
• Asphalt:
• Seal every 3 to 5 years.
• Need to be repaired frequently because of its softer nature.
• Needs to be resurfaced after 15 to 20 years.

Midland Factor: Concrete’s lower maintenance requirements fit into our busy lifestyle and provide a long-lasting solution that will meet our needs.

Design/Color Options

• Concrete:
• Offer a wide variety of colors and designs.
• Can be stamped to look like another material.
• Retain their appearance for many years.
• Asphalt:
• Only come in black or dark gray.
• Can be stamped, but the design options are limited.
• Fade quickly, especially in the hot sun.

Midland Factor: Concrete offers so many design and color options, allowing it to blend with Midland’s many different architectural styles.

Cost

• Concrete:
• High upfront cost.
• Low long-term maintenance costs.
• Could increase the value of your home.
• Asphalt:
• Low upfront installation cost.
• High long-term maintenance costs.
• Needs to be replaced completely sooner than concrete.

Midland Factor: Even though concrete costs more initially, it usually pays for itself over time through lower maintenance costs. This could benefit Midland homeowners.

Impact on the Environment

• Concrete:
• Can be produced using recycled materials.
• Reflects more light, decreasing the “heat island” effect.
• Completely recyclable at the end of its useful life.
• Asphalt:
• Produced using petroleum products.
• Absorbs more heat, increasing surface temperature.
• Can be recycled, but recycling is not as common.

Midland Factor: The fact that concrete reflects heat and reduces the heat island effect is a major advantage of concrete in our hot climate, potentially resulting in reduced cooling costs for your home.

How It Performs in Midland’s Weather

• Concrete:
• Performs extremely well in heat.
• Is resistant to erosion caused by the occasional large rainstorms in Midland.
• Can develop some minor cracking in extremely cold conditions.
• Asphalt:
• Softens and becomes pliable in extreme heat.
• Erodes easier in heavy rain.
• Generally performs well in free-thaw conditions, but this is less of an issue in Midland.

Midland Factor: Concrete’s ability to perform well in extreme heat makes it perfectly suited for use in our climate.

Making Your Choice

At Midland Concrete Services, we specialize in creating beautiful, long-lasting, and durable concrete driveways that will withstand the harsh Midland climate. We feel confident that, for most people, concrete is superior to asphalt, but we understand everyone has their own specific needs. If you would like to learn more about what type of driveway you should consider, we would be happy to consult with you.

Do you want to learn more about how we can help you create a beautiful, durable, and long-lasting concrete driveway? Please contact us today for a consultation. Let’s work together to create a driveway that will enhance the curb appeal of your home and withstand the test of time in our unique West Texas climate.