Blacktop or Concrete driveway?

[dangerdoc]

Looking at purchasing a home in Ohio with a fairly sloped gravel driveway. Would like to get it surfaced, always liked blacktop more, but looking for recommendations, pros/cons for either....

thanks in advance!

I bought a house about 20 years ago that had a steep concrete drive sealed with blacktop sealer. I thought it was strange the first summer. In the winter when the snow melted off while my neighbors fought the Ice, I realized that the former owner knew what he was doing. In addition, I could salt the drive with less concern about hurting the concrete. Looked nice too.

Now I have a half mile gravel drive, no interest in paving but after this winter, I am considering geotextile.

 

[Egon]

A newer subdivision in Edmonton, Alberta. Note: all the driveways are concrete. Lots of cold weather there.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

I tried to stay out of this, but can no longer resist...For $14.5K I have 1,450 ft. of 8" of road base, 6" of crusher run topped with 2 coats of "chip seal". Some folks call it Surface Treatment. Basically liquid asphalt and pea gravel that is spread and rolled for compaction. It looks great, has stood up very well...I considered it a best compromise for me. Part of my drive has a grade of about 15% for 350' or so. No dust problems and the only maintenance is about twice a year I drag a small horrow over it just to dress it up a bit. I plow it in winter, but I'm careful to adjust the skid shoes at about 3/8". The rest melts right off. Works for me...something to think about. The same paving co. that did mine quoted over $35K for the same base with 2" of blacktop.

 

[/pine]

I did not read every single post in the thread but if it's not been mentioned there is a unique way of making asphalt look like concrete.... this technique does add just a little durability to the exposed surface but it mainly just changes the color/look...

Imediately after the asphalt is finished being rolled out...(while it's still hot) broom portland cement well into black top surface...Trinity white can be used for an even whiter finish but regular portland will leave it looking like a concrete pour...

This technique is used in FL to keep the surface temps down... it's like putting 'CoolSeal' on your blacktop....I see drive ways that were done using this application over 40 years ago and the over all surface is still just like concrete...obviously the elements have opened up the asphalt some but the appearance is still very white...

 

[JB4310]

A newer subdivision in Edmonton, Alberta. Note: all the driveways are concrete. Lots of cold weather there.

In that high yield, congested sub-division, I'll bet concrete was less work/cost than asphalt. Easier to form and pour those small pads than try and maneuver a spreader and roller in such a tight area.
The tolerance looks so tight in that plan it's obvious every parking pad was scaled on blue print. With such close tolerances, concrete would be easier to implement.

They may of done the drives at the same time as the walks.

I'm sure they will hold up to the climate, big difference between those and a 300 ft hilly driveway in the woods though

JB.

 

[mjncad]

Concrete paver's may be the way to go. Easy to fix up base problems. Get em in black so the ice melts. :thumbsup:

And if you don't like them they can be picked up and resold!

In another province at another house we had paver's for the driveway. About 30 pallets worth. Worked well. No problems in winter and it did get cold at times.

Pavers look great; but are labor intensive based on Pavestone's instructions. Again, proper prep work is key to making pavers last a long time.

 

[Pops15]

I tried to stay out of this, but can no longer resist...For $14.5K I have 1,450 ft. of 8" of road base, 6" of crusher run topped with 2 coats of "chip seal". Some folks call it Surface Treatment. Basically liquid asphalt and pea gravel that is spread and rolled for compaction. It looks great, has stood up very well...I considered it a best compromise for me. Part of my drive has a grade of about 15% for 350' or so. No dust problems and the only maintenance is about twice a year I drag a small horrow over it just to dress it up a bit. I plow it in winter, but I'm careful to adjust the skid shoes at about 3/8". The rest melts right off. Works for me...something to think about. The same paving co. that did mine quoted over $35K for the same base with 2" of blacktop.

A combination of concrete apron and oil and chip drive is a great option for someone with a long drive.

 

[Trails2004]

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Check the prices and the budget and go with concrete if it's affordable.

Asphalt starts deteriorating the day it's installed.

X2-

I have blacktop and I will never have it again-

 

[brin]

I tried to stay out of this, but can no longer resist...For $14.5K I have 1,450 ft. of 8" of road base, 6" of crusher run topped with 2 coats of "chip seal". Some folks call it Surface Treatment. Basically liquid asphalt and pea gravel that is spread and rolled for compaction. It looks great, has stood up very well...I considered it a best compromise for me. Part of my drive has a grade of about 15% for 350' or so. No dust problems and the only maintenance is about twice a year I drag a small horrow over it just to dress it up a bit. I plow it in winter, but I'm careful to adjust the skid shoes at about 3/8". The rest melts right off. Works for me...something to think about. The same paving co. that did mine quoted over $35K for the same base with 2" of blacktop.

Chip & Seal is great...I wish I had done that instead of black top..it is a lost art in most locations..there are roads all over the US that have been down for over 50 yrs. that are chip and seal and are far superior to all other surfaces for the dollars spent and they look great too. I agree !!

 

[mjncad]

I"m amazed anyone likes chip seal roads. The county uses it to save money, and I hate the stuff. The junk flakes off and oil gets tracked into the garage when its fresh, and it creates a lot of tire noise on the roads. Tire noise isn't an issue with a residential driveway. The cul-de-sac in front of my house is worn down to the original asphalt from the garbage trucks scuffing the chips off as they make their turns.