There are many benefits of concrete. Whether you need a concrete installation for your driveway on your private property, or a concrete installation for a large public parking lot, you’ll want to know the top benefits of concrete. Read more here for information on our concrete services.
Benefits of Concrete: 9 Reasons to Choose Concrete over Asphalt
1. Longevity
One of the leading reasons why home and business owners opt for concrete is because of its longevity. Concrete can last you as long as 30+ years. Because of its long life, concrete is perfect for driveways, sidewalks, garage floors, patios, or steps and stoops.
There are some other things you can do to further increase the lifespan of your concrete. For example, you’ll want to ensure that your concrete installer prepares the surface properly and prevent sifting soil from cracking the concrete’s surface. It’s not essential to seal your concrete driveway, however, it can encourage a longer lifespan, preventing damage such as oil staining or structural damage.
2. Durability
Concrete is highly durable, resilient against much pressure. In fact, the strength and durability of concrete means that you shouldn’t have to worry about chipping, rusting, rotting, burning, or being subject to water damage. On average, concrete will last you up to 3x the length of other materials.
3. Easy to Maintain
Fortunately, concrete is very easy to maintain. Once it is poured and set, you won’t have to do much to maintain your concrete driveway, sidewalk, or parking lot. Cleaning and overall maintenance is straightforward:
- Cleaning. You can easily clean a concrete driveway or floor using a power washer. If there are lots of stains in your concrete surface, you can borrow or rent a power washer, and also utilize degreaser if necessary. If your stains are less serious, you can try using a scrub brush, along with water and detergent.
- Sealing. As discussed already, to maintain your concrete and keep it lasting longer, you can choose to have your concrete driveway sealed.
4. Energy Efficiency
Another benefit of concrete is its energy efficiency. Concrete is able to store energy and insulate a building – keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. When compared with asphalt surfaces, concrete surfaces can save up to 70% of the energy required to maintain or reconstruct the pavement. Additionally, large trucks will use up to 7% less energy when driving on a concrete surface.
Additionally, the energy required to produce cement concrete is less when compared to a material like structural steel. Steel requires between 3-10 times the energy consumption.
5. Versatility
When it comes to versatility, concrete delivers. Concrete is adaptable for many uses and is available for various shapes, surfaces, and textures. Concrete is practical, but can look beautiful for a patio, garden path, sidewalk, or driveway.
To go along with this, concrete is available in several different popular types: photocatalytic concrete, ultra-high performance concrete, and pervious concrete.
6. Cost-Effectiveness
Concrete is a cost-effective choice. While it is overall more expensive than asphalt initially, for many home and business owners, it makes sense to invest in concrete up front due to better longevity. This makes concrete a “win” when compared with asphalt.
7. Can Be Use in High-Temperature Constructions
Concrete can be utilized in high-temperature constructions. The main component in concrete, calcium silicate hydrate, has the ability to withstand temperatures of up to 1500 degrees. Concrete is the best choice when it comes to high-temperature factories and can withstand a fire outbreak.
8. Can be Sourced Locally
Cement, water, and aggregates are usually always available locally. As a result, local resources that are nearby the project site make the process of transporting the concrete quicker. This also means that local economy benefits from nearby construction projects.
9. Hardens at Ambient Temperature
Concrete can set and harden under a natural ambient temperature, due to its low-temperature inorganic material. As a result, concrete is an excellent choice for driveways, parking lots, etc., since it can withstand virtually any weather condition.
Need a concrete installation project? Contact Toscan Construction today by giving our team a call at 401-333-3456.