When your driveway is damaged, cracked and sunken in areas, it can diminish your home’s curb appeal and make jobs like washing and removing snow a real pain. A brand-new driveway will improve your home’s aesthetics, resale value and make coming home a more enjoyable experience. There are a few options when it comes to paving your driveway. A & B Rubber Paving Ltd. shares some information on concrete, asphalt and rubber paving.
Concrete Paving
Concrete in Edmonton is probably the most popular material used for driveways, walkways and patios. It looks clean, is low-maintenance and very versatile in design. You can choose from a range of colours, textures, designs and finishes. For all those reasons, concrete is a popular and cost-effective choice for many homeowners.
Unfortunately, the freezing and thawing we get in Alberta can do some damage to your concrete driveway. Water will get into the concrete’s pores and when it freezes, can cause the concrete to crack. Small cracks become larger cracks and your will require expensive concrete repair or replacement. Concrete can also suffer damage from salt and de-icer solutions in the winter time.
Asphalt Paving
Asphalt is less expensive compared to concrete and it because it is a pliable material does not suffer from the freeze-thaw cycles as badly either. However, it does retain heat and can soften on very hot days.
One con to asphalt paving is that it requires more maintenance than concrete and rubber paving. Without regular sealing, it can start to crumble or crack in areas. However, this upkeep and repairs are relatively simple and inexpensive.
Rubber Paving
Rubber paving is a great alternative to concrete or asphalt paving. It is elastic and therefore resistant to cracking. It’s engineered to withstand constant wear and exposure to all kinds of weather. It is also resistant to salt and de-icers so you can get rid of ice in the winter and it is easy to shovel snow off of. It’s soft to walk on, slip-resistant and made from recycled materials so it is the eco-friendliest option.
Though asphalt is a great investment upfront, you can save money on removing your old, cracked pavement as rubber paving can be installed directly on top of your existing driveway, walkways and patio. The average cost of removing old concrete is $14-18/square foot. Add that to your total bill and it can really add up!
Differences Between Concrete, Asphalt & Rubber Paving
| CONCRETE | ASPHALT | RUBBER | |
| Durability | Can crack during freezing/thawing.
Damaged by salt/de-icer solutions. |
Retains and softens in heat.
Damaged by salt/de-icer solutions. |
Resistant to weather conditions & cracking.
Resistant to salt/de-icer solutions. |
| Maintenance | Low-maintenance, but expensive when repairs are needed. | Requires regular but simple maintenance. | Requires no maintenance. |
| Appearance | Versatile in style, design, colours and finishes. | Black that can fade to grey over time. | Aesthetically pleasing and available in a range of colours. |
| Cost | $6 – $9/square foot plus additional costs for specific finishes, details & $14-$18/square foot for old concrete removal | $3- $4/square foot, plus $14-$18/square foot for old concrete removal | $10-$15/square foot. Can be applied over existing concrete. |
Rubber Paving in Edmonton
A&B Rubber Paving is a proud installer and dealer of Shercom Industries Inc. rubber paving and rubber products. Rubber paving gets rid of all your old unsightly cracks and concrete erosion caused by years of salt. Rubber paving resurfaces old concrete and asphalt, meaning there is no removal fee when considering this paving alternative.
