The Difference Between Concrete and Asphalt

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Concrete is a durable material that holds up to heavy traffic and weather conditions. Its upfront cost is more expensive than asphalt, but it can save money in the long run.

Concrete can be painted and decorated for a more customized look. It also dries quickly after being laid, minimizing downtime for construction projects. Click the Asphalt & Concrete to learn more.

Concrete is more expensive than asphalt to install, but it has a longer lifespan and requires less maintenance. This can save city planners and homeowners money in the long run, although it is important to consider the initial cost as well as ongoing expenses.

The best choice for a specific project will depend on many factors, including the amount and type of traffic that the surface will experience, environmental considerations, and the location of subsurface utilities. For example, if the surface will be subjected to heavy loads, a concrete roadway may be more suitable than an asphalt road, as it can withstand rutting and other damage from vehicles more effectively.

Other factors to consider include the lifespan and durability of the pavement, how it will be maintained, and whether it will need to be resurfaced on a regular basis. In general, asphalt is a more economical option for driveways and roads, while concrete is typically reserved for commercial and industrial applications.

Asphalt is made from a mixture of bitumen (a gummy hydrocarbon sourced from natural deposits or as a byproduct of crude oil) and aggregate. This combination offers a durable, low-cost solution for a variety of pavement needs, from parking lots and roads to sports courts and airport runways. Its versatility and durability make it a popular choice for both residential and commercial projects.

Aside from its initial cost, asphalt is also inexpensive to maintain. A periodic sealcoating protects the asphalt from weather damage, while crack filling and patching can remedy deterioration and maintain user comfort. Asphalt also releases fewer greenhouse gases than concrete, making it more environmentally friendly.

In comparison, concrete is more costly to install and has a slower curing time than asphalt. However, it is an excellent material for constructing sidewalks and other paved surfaces that will be used by pedestrians. It can be shaped and colored before it dries, which gives it added aesthetic appeal for commercial and residential spaces.

Concrete can withstand heavier traffic than asphalt and is a popular choice for areas that require additional durability, such as bridges and intersections. It is also an ideal choice for roads with steep grades, as it can be molded to accommodate the shape of the road.

Durability

Concrete and asphalt are two of the most durable construction materials available. They’re able to withstand heavy traffic and weather conditions without damage or wear. They’re also less prone to issues like cracking, stripping, rutting and losing texture compared to flexible pavements, such as those made from rubber or other types of tar. Considering these advantages, it’s important to choose the right material for your project based on its specific needs and climate conditions.

The durability of asphalt and concrete is a combination of many factors, including how well the construction process is managed. Using best practices and working with experienced professionals, such as Kilgore Companies, can help ensure that your construction projects are resilient in any type of weather condition.

For example, air entrained concrete is more effective than regular concrete in regions with freeze-thaw cycles. This is because the cement particles are surrounded by small air bubbles that provide more structural support. Additionally, the concrete mix must be adjusted based on temperature and soil moisture.

Similarly, asphalt mixes should be tailored to your region’s climate. The addition of varying chemical admixtures can enhance the durability of asphalt, especially in extreme temperatures or high rainfall areas. For instance, a higher percentage of fine aggregates can improve the density of an asphalt mix and make it more resistant to cracking and deterioration.

Both asphalt and concrete require consistent upkeep to keep them looking and functioning their best. This can include regular resealing and patching. In addition, it’s recommended to apply protective coatings that safeguard against UV rays and chemicals, such as oil or engine coolant, that leak from cars onto the surface of the road.

Asphalt surfaces typically demand more upkeep than concrete, but this can be offset by its lower initial cost and relative ease of installation. It’s also worth pointing out that both materials can last for many years when properly maintained.

Appearance

Asphalt and concrete are two of the most prominent paving materials used in road construction. Both can be laid in a variety of colors, shapes and patterns. In addition, they can be made to look aesthetically pleasing through a process called striping. The sturdiness of concrete makes it an excellent choice for heavy-duty pavements like main roads and trucking lanes, while asphalt is best for sidewalks and parking lots.

Both asphalt and concrete are made of aggregates (such as sand, gravel and crushed stone) bound together with either cement or bitumen. Cement is a strong, durable material that can be mixed with water to create a paste which binds together aggregates and other materials. Bitumen is a sticky, black liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It is derived from the distillation of crude oil and used in road construction as an adhesive to bind aggregates together and to provide flexibility to the road surface.

Pavement is constructed in layers and is typically compacted by heavy equipment. The underlying layer is a base course, which is usually crushed stone or gravel that has been graded and compacted. Depending on the needs of a particular project, it may or may not be covered by a subbase course.

Asphalt is a flexible type of pavement that is built up in layers over the base and subbase courses. It can be molded into many different forms, making it a great option for a wide range of projects. It is also more cost-effective than concrete and can be installed quickly.

Before asphalt became popular as a road construction material, roads were simply graded and spread with stones. This worked well as long as the stones stayed in place, but problems arose when it rained. The stones absorbed the water and swelled, which weakened their load-carrying capacity. The addition of asphalt in the form of spraying and laying sheets of the material solved this problem by keeping the stones dry and providing some flexibility to the surface.

Asphalt can be made to have a more attractive appearance through the use of patterned slurry coatings. It can also be colored to match surrounding pavements and structures. However, it is important to remember that because of its dark color, asphalt can absorb sunlight and become scorching hot in the summer. It is recommended that people avoid walking on asphalt wearing flip-flops or other footwear with thin soles, and that pets be kept off the surface during the hottest parts of the day.

Maintenance

Asphalt is a popular choice for driveways, roads and parking lots. Also known as blacktop, it’s quick and easy to install, and has a dark color that hides dirt well. It’s relatively cheap, and resists damage better than concrete. However, it can still crack and deform over time. Asphalt maintenance includes periodic seal coating and crack filling to prevent the accumulation of water and other damaging materials, which can reduce its lifespan.

The type of maintenance your pavement requires depends on usage patterns and climate conditions. For example, asphalt stands up better to high-traffic scenarios but can be prone to damage from freeze-thaw cycles and lawn fertilizers. Concrete has a longer life expectancy but may require more extensive repairs and upkeep.

To preserve the durability and attractiveness of your paved surface, you’ll need to create a comprehensive pavement care plan that accounts for weather conditions, heavy loads, and other environmental exposures. Both concrete and asphalt need regular attention to avoid cracking, rutting, and overall deterioration.

Pavement damage can be caused by environmental factors, heavy loads, and improper construction techniques. To protect your investment, you should hire a qualified contractor with experience in concrete and asphalt paving to perform regular inspections, maintenance, and repair services.

A reputable pavement management company will provide regular inspections, crack sealing, patching, and resurfacing to extend the lifespan of your asphalt or concrete paved surfaces. They will also offer advice on the best material to use for your specific needs. By implementing a proper maintenance plan, you can improve your pavement’s aesthetic and safety, while saving money over the long term. In addition to routine maintenance, property owners should consider using eco-friendly deicers and refrain from the use of chemical-based salts to limit the damage done to their pavement by the environment. This will help to prevent the corrosive properties of these chemicals from attacking and damaging your concrete or asphalt paved surfaces. If your paved surface is showing signs of wear, it’s important to have it repaired right away. Failing to do so can result in costly repairs and a hazardous environment for your visitors and customers.

How to Finish Concrete

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Concrete is a versatile construction material that can be modified for many applications. Concrete can look smooth and glossy or coarse and rustic, depending on the desired finish.

Some finishes are decorative, while others are enduring and promote safety. Here are some of the most popular types of concrete finishes: Click https://concretecontractorcoloradosprings.com/ to learn more.

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Concrete finishing requires a deft touch and the right tools to achieve the desired result. One of the first steps in this process is floating, which pushes aggregate down and encourages moisture to rise, aiding concrete drying. A power float can make this step quick and efficient.

Floating is done before the surface water, a natural part of the curing process, known as bleed water, rises to the top of the concrete and accumulates there. If this happens, the concrete can weaken. During this phase, a hand or power float eliminates slight imperfections, compacts the surface mortar, and prepares it for additional finishing procedures.

The most common type of float used is a bull float, which looks like a flat board attached to a long handle. Pulling the float over the concrete embeds large aggregate and smoothes the surface, removing high and low spots. It is important to keep the blade as flat as possible when floating to prevent premature sealing of the concrete surface.

A magnesium bull float has a more subtle action than a wooden or steel float and may be preferable for delicate work. Its blade is up to 36″ wide, quickly covering a large area with a fine finish. It is also very easy to use, as it moves much more easily than a wooden or metal float, making it faster to finish a larger area.

When choosing a bull float, look for one with adjustable blades set to different heights to control the pressure applied to the concrete. The handle should be comfortable, with a good balance and adequate knuckle clearance. The float should withstand heavy use and be durable enough to last, as it will likely see many hours of hard work.

Another type of float is a resin float, a more resilient option than a wood float and may be preferable for projects requiring a longer life span. It acts almost identically to a wood float but is designed to resist wear and tear, which can occur from exposure to moisture.

Concrete is a versatile construction material that can be shaped to fit any application. It can also be finished in several ways to give it an attractive and functional surface that is durable against wear and tear. Finishing concrete is a crucial step that helps to prevent damage, manage maintenance costs, and maintain durability for years to come. This process involves smoothing out ridges, filling voids, and compacting the concrete for a clean and even surface.

Troweling is a simple concrete finishing technique done by hand or mechanically using power trowels. The process involves builders using steel blades to smooth and fine-level the surface of fresh concrete. It is typically used on interior slab and floor applications to achieve a dense, hard, and smooth result with good wear resistance. The correct concrete finishing tools are critical to getting the best results from this process. The right tool must be used at the right time, and if it is not used properly, it can lead to flaws on the surface of the concrete.

When performing a hand trowel finish, it is important to use a wide broken-in trowel for maximum efficiency and safety. It is recommended to start at one end of the concrete and work your way across in a sweeping arc motion. Using the concrete finishing tool in multiple passes is also recommended to avoid gouging or scratching the surface. It is also important to check for any cracks or imperfections before proceeding.

A power trowel with a magnesium or laminated wood bull float can obtain a hard and durable concrete finish for larger surfaces. This type of finish is popular for outdoor flooring as it shows off the natural aggregates in the concrete and is resistant to weather conditions, freezing temperatures, and deicing materials. This type of finish may be slippery, but it can be prevented by applying a nonslip additive to the concrete.

A hard and durable concrete finish is ideal for exterior concrete, but it cannot be easy to achieve on large jobs. The right concrete finishing tool is essential for ensuring the concrete is durable and resistant to abrasion, freezing temperatures, and deicing agents. It is also important to know the right timing for when to perform a concrete finish, as over-troweling can lead to surface defects and weaken the concrete.

Besides trowels, concrete finishers use another type of tool called an edger. It creates a neat, rounded edge along the slab perimeter that helps it resist chipping and spalling damage after removing the forms. Concrete contractors can choose hand, walking, or combination edgers for different projects. Depending on the project, they can also select edgers with various radius sizes, including special tools for constructing concrete steps.

An edger resembles a small trowel with one side rounded down, and it shapes the top outer corner of the concrete slab while the wet concrete is still setting. You can perform edging by hand, kneeling next to the slab while you work, or with a walking edger that attaches to a handle and allows you to walk alongside it while you edge.

You can also use an edger to create grooves in the concrete, which can help reduce random cracking when the concrete is gaining strength but not fully set. When performed correctly, grooving creates clean joints that release stress from the concrete before it hardens.

When using an edger, focus on running the tool flat on the surface of the concrete. The clean edge it creates is a byproduct of this action and not the primary focus. If you concentrate too much on the radius edge, you’ll twist the tool and cause it to create a rolled edge, which lowers the concrete below the adjacent concrete or formwork.

Many manufacturers offer steel or bronze edgers, with some offering specialty metals like tungsten carbide for longer tool life and improved durability. You can also find edgers with handles, which may have a wood or rubber grip. Some manufacturers even make comfortable grip handle models with softer grips for reduced hand fatigue. Before you buy an edger, check the size of the handle and ensure it fits comfortably in your hand. A handle that’s too large can lead to cramping and discomfort as you work. You can find edgers and other concrete finishing tools at most home centers or hardware stores.

Concrete polished with the mechanical method provides a high-gloss finish that reflects light and looks like glass. It is a more durable, luxe finish that isn’t as slippery as a topical chemical sealer and is one of the most common finishes seen in commercial buildings.

It is an extensive process that is much more time-consuming than a grind + seal. This is because it requires various grinding and polishing abrasives on a floor grinder to get the job done, starting with metal-bonded diamonds on a planetary-type machine to prep the surface.

A slurry is created as the grinding and honing work is done, which must be thoroughly disposed of correctly to avoid environmental hazards. This is a key reason why this type of finish is more expensive than a ‘grind + seal.’

Once the initial slurry has been removed, crews change over to resin-bonded diamond pads and continue refining the surface until it reaches your desired level of gloss. This usually involves 15 to 17 different grits before your final finish.

This step is necessary to ensure that your finished result is durable and long-lasting. A hardener is then added to the slurry to penetrate and densify the concrete as it is ground, ensuring that it isn’t porous and prone to moisture or seepage after the finish has been applied.

Once your floor has been mechanically polished, it can be sealed in various colors. We offer a selection of 24 standard colors (including greys, greens, and blacks) that can give your floor a unique look, or we can do a custom color at your request.

Whether you choose a matt, satin, or full gloss finish for your concrete floors, they will be extremely durable and easy to maintain. We recommend having a protective coating like LSGuard, PolishGuard, or Concrete Protector SB applied after the finish has been installed to protect the concrete and make it easier for cleaning and maintenance.