Table of Contents
Paving an asphalt driveway costs $4,737 on average, with a range between $2,932 and $6,568. This project runs $7 to $13 per square foot, including $2 to $6 per square foot for materials and $5 to $7 per square foot for labor.
Is blacktop cheaper than concrete?
The cost of an asphalt driveway is typically cheaper than concrete, costing $2.00 – $4.00 per square foot. In contrast, a concrete driveway costs between $4.00 – $6.00 per square foot for a standard installation.
How much is a black top driveway?
Type of Driveway Material Cost Per Square Foot Driveway Material Cost Per Square Foot Estimate Asphalt/Blacktop $7 – $13 Gravel $1 – $3 Chip Seal $2 – $5 Heated $12 – $21.
Is 2 inches of asphalt enough for a driveway?
Residential driveways typically use 2 to 3 inches of asphalt with 3 being suitable for occasional large trucks or heavy equipment. Underneath the asphalt you should have 6 to 8 inches of granular base aggregate. Underneath this you have soil.
What is the difference between asphalt and blacktop?
Asphalt generally refers to major highways and streets, whereas, blacktop is commonly used to refer to driveways and residential roads. Blacktop has a higher mixture of stone than asphalt. It also must be heated to a higher temperature, around 300 degrees, than other types.
What is the cheapest option for driveways?
A gravel driveway is by far the cheapest and quickest to install, especially if the existing driveway sub-base is sound.
Can you put asphalt over concrete driveway?
It is safe to pave asphalt over concrete. Concrete is a great base material because it is stable and allows for excellent compaction of the asphalt above. In fact, many miles of concrete roads are paved over with asphalt every year.
Can I pave my own driveway?
Making your own asphalt driveway is hard work, and not a job for one person. If you have friends who will help you, it is possible to save a lot of money by doing your own driveway, even after the cost of rental equipment is factored in.
How do you prepare the ground for an asphalt driveway?
The Complete 7-Step Process for Asphalt Pavement Installation Step 1: Demolition and Removal. Step 2: Grading and Sloping. Step 3: Prepare the Sub Base. Step 4: Proof Roll, Undercutting and Sub Base Repair. Step 5: Binder and Surface Course. Step 6: Install New Asphalt Surface. Step 7: Butt Joints and Transitions.
Does thicker asphalt last longer?
Adding extra blacktop thickness will not significantly extend the life of the surface. Keep in mind that blacktop is available in many different blends and mixtures. Each mixture has its own recipe of the sand, gravel and liquid asphalt components. Talk with each contractor and ask which blend is best for your area.
How warm does it need to be to pave asphalt?
During initial application, the asphalt should still be at least 220 to 290-degrees Fahrenheit. If the asphalt dips below approximately 185-degrees Fahrenheit before compaction is complete, its consistency stiffens up too much to finish the job properly.
What is cheaper than asphalt?
Concrete driveways offer more options for colors, textures and embellishments, but are prone to cracking in cold weather and expensive to repair. While concrete lasts longer, it’s easier and cheaper to resurface asphalt.
Will rain hurt a new asphalt driveway?
In general, asphalt cannot be installed when it is raining. When rain comes into contact with fresh asphalt, it causes the oil to rise to the surface which can affect the curing time and the finished product. If asphalt is paved while it’s raining, it can reduce the overall quality of the asphalt.
Can you blacktop over blacktop?
An overlay or resurface can be used on an asphalt driveway, parking lot, or road way. It consists of installing a new layer of asphalt over the existing asphalt and grinding at the transitions (i.e. sidewalks, garages, drains, curbs, or other asphalt points).
What is the best type of driveway to have?
Longevity: The longevity of an asphalt driveway is a lot higher than most other driveway options. Homeowners can expect their asphalt driveway to last at least 20 years. Durability: Asphalt driveways are hard wearing and durable. The seal that is applied on top of your asphalt driveway encourages greater longevity.
What is the most hard wearing driveway?
Concrete. Among the most durable options on the market is a concrete driveway surface. Although it provides a hard and stable surface, that is highly dependant on professional installation, high upfront costs, maintenance, and weather conditions.
Is a brick driveway cheaper than concrete?
In the long run, brick paver driveways can prove to be less of a hassle, and more cost-effective, than concrete driveways are. These alternative driveway surfaces are easier to maintain, are safer in wet conditions, and they are much simpler, and cheaper to repair.
How many inches of concrete do I need for a driveway?
The minimum thickness in most codes for a residential driveway is 4-inches of concrete on a prepared base. Using stronger concrete can decrease that to 3” in some areas, although it won’t decrease the cost much if any. A properly prepared base and subbase will increase the driveway thickness by 4” to 8” too.
Does concrete bond to asphalt?
Concrete doesn’t bond well to asphalt, meaning water could get between the two layers and harm the new concrete with cracking or moisture damage. To mitigate water infiltration between the two layers, consider drilling holes in the asphalt in a grid pattern before pouring the concrete.
