Hard-surfaced pavements, with more than half of them being roads, are generally created with asphalt or cement concrete. Both asphalt and concrete surfaces can be designed for a longer lifespan, with maintenance required. Though they may seem similar, each type of surface has its advantages and disadvantages. For a better understanding of which type of hard-surface pavement is best for your personal or business project, it is important to recognize the differences between the two.  

Asphalt vs. Concrete

• Asphalt

• Used in laying roads and sometimes in sealing road joints

• Setting of asphalt is based on the rate of curing/hardening after the application

• Prepared by fractional distillation of petroleum and melted at the site, then used

• Has a tar adhesive that binds the ingredients together

• Concrete

• Mixture of cement, sand, pebbles, or crushed and water – becomes hard like a stone after it forms and cures

• Has a high compressive strength and is the major building material used in construction of structures

• Mostly prepared on the site itself, or is prepared at plants and brought to the site as Ready Mix Concrete

Asphalt Pros and Cons

• Pros

• Cheaper than concrete

• Ideal in cold climates; less likely to crack

• Easy snow removal

• Its dark color hides stains

• Easy repair

• Can be tinted

• Cons

• Shorter lifespan

• Needs to be resealed every few years

• Its oily texture softens in heat and sunlight

• Rough edges

Concrete Pros and Cons

• Pros

• Has a longer lifespan; 30-40 years

• Low maintenance

• Holds up better in warm climates, does not soften

• Can be colored

• Cons

• Susceptible to to cracking; not an easy repair

• Can be damaged by salt

• Its light color shows more stains

• Expensive, twice as high as asphalt

[Links to Equipment Type Guides/Manuals]

• http://latam.gehl.com/docs/default-source/asphalt-pavers-documents/1448-operator%27s-manual.pdf?sfvrsn=4

• https://www.ammann-group.com/wp-content/uploads/apollo_pavers_export_mpb-en.pdf

• http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/C10879156

[Links to Equipment Type Video]

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhnipOpUsvw

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faYxAIed5x4

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yW9NzrpZyc

Manufacturers

• Ammann

• Caterpillar

• Dynapac

• Gehl

• Ingersoll-Rand

• Leeboy

• Romco

• Sany

• Shantui

• Sunward

• Vibromax

• Vogele

• Volvo

• XCMG

• Other…

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