Are you wondering how to improve curb appeal for your home? Whether you’re planning to sell your home or you simply want your home to look as nice as (or nicer than) the others in the neighborhood, paving your driveway with asphalt is one way to improve curb appeal.
In general, most homes have either a concrete or asphalt driveway. Concrete tends to be used more in newer housing developments where the homes are closer together and not as far back from the street. Asphalt is more likely to be found in rural areas and established neighborhoods where driveways are longer and homes are further from the street.
Benefits of Asphalt Paving
Affordable
One of the biggest benefits of asphalt is that it is an affordable paving material. When compared to concrete, asphalt tends to be 40% to 60% cheaper, depending on the price in your area. This is one reason homeowners choose asphalt when they have a longer driveway to pave.
Resilient
Asphalt is made of a mixture of petroleum, gravel, and a few other materials. It is heated as it is made and once it is laid down and rolled flat it cools and hardens. As a result, asphalt is more flexible than cement. It can expand and contract with changing temperatures, which allows it to be more resilient and less likely to crack.
Attractive
Asphalt is typically black when newly poured and may fade to gray over time. Its solid color and smooth surface is aesthetically pleasing. Sleek edges give your driveway a flawless appearance. Artistic edging with brick or stone can help to complete the look.
Weather-Friendly
Asphalt is resistant to rain, snow, ice, hail, sleet, and any other kind of weather that may occur. Hot temperatures may cause it to expand, but it won’t crack or ripple if properly laid. Conversely, cold weather will cause it to contract, but without damage. Snow and ice melt off faster as the dark color of the asphalt absorbs the sun’s heat.
Won’t Show Stains
One advantage of the dark color of asphalt is that stains, such as oil leaking from a vehicle, don’t show up. Tire tracks, leaf matter, grass stains, rust, and other stains are not as noticeable on the black color of asphalt.
Easily Maintained
Less noticeable staining also leads to lower maintenance for asphalt driveways. Occasionally pressure washing can help to keep asphalt clean. Every few years it is necessary to apply a sealcoating to prevent cracks and other damage. Keeping the surface well sealed keeps moisture from seeping into cracks and damaging the sub-surface beneath.
How To Improve Curb Appeal in Worthwhile Ways
When it comes to boosting your home’s curb appeal, there are some improvements that offer more value than others. If you’re planning to sell, you want to get the most resale value possible from your investment.
Paving your driveway with asphalt is one improvement that is affordable and offers excellent return on investment. When potential buyers approach your home, the first impression they get will make all the difference when it comes to their interest and the amount of their offer. Exterior improvements can be more important than interior improvements in many cases. If potential buyers don’t like what they see as they drive up, they may just drive on by.
Have an Asphalt Driveway that Needs Repair?
If your home already has an asphalt driveway, what condition is it in? If the asphalt is cracked, crumbling, rippled, or showing other signs of damage, it may turn off potential buyers. The good news is that asphalt repair costs less than a complete repaving. You can have cracks sealed and potholes filled in so that your driveway looks like new.
Get the Best Value with Topwest Asphalt
If you’re in need of asphalt paving in Vancouver, Topwest Asphalt is reliable and affordable. We effectively prepare the surface and lay the asphalt so that it is smooth and solid, lasting for years with proper maintenance and sealing. We offer asphalt repair and sealing services for the driveways we pave as well as those we didn’t.
Call (604) 857-3126 today to schedule asphalt services or request a free quote. We look forward to helping you improve your home’s appearance with asphalt.
