Bitumen driveways, also known as asphalt driveways, are quite common throughout Australia. They can be seen throughout Perth and many other major cities. Asphalt driveways offer plenty of benefits as compared to conventional concrete driveways. A properly installed asphalt driveway is going to last you for many years to come and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. The only trade-off with asphalt driveways is that you will have to seal the coat of asphalt on the surface after every couple of years or so. Since asphalt is a petroleum product, it is considerably more flexible as compared to other products. This makes it much less prone to cracking, which is a common issue with concrete driveways.
Asphalt driveways basically contain bits of rock, sand, and a mixture of asphalt cement. Maintenance isn’t much of a problem and if you maintain your driveway properly, it’s going to last you anywhere between 12 and 35 years. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of your driveway, ranging from the climate to the usage and the installation as well as the way that the driveway is used. Here are some of the main benefits that bitumen driveways offer.
Affordable
If you compare the direct costs of procuring the material and installing the driveway, bitumen driveways in Perth actually cost much less than concrete ones. Then, when you pile on the costs of subsequent maintenance, the difference in cost becomes quite clear. In almost every case, asphalt driveways are considerably more affordable as compared to concrete driveways. The costs of installing an asphalt driveway range between $10 and $20 per square metre to install. While this is higher than the costs of installing a gravel driveway, the costs are less than half than what you would have to pay to get a concrete driveway installed.
Durability
Another major benefit that bitumen driveways offer is that they are quite durable. Because of their flexibility, these driveways are not susceptible to cracking that easily. Considering the harsh climate of Perth, you have to make sure that you get a durable driveway. Gravel driveways aren’t really durable and are susceptible to a considerable amount of wear and tear over time. However, as long as you take basic steps to maintain your asphalt driveway, you don’t have to worry about maintenance at all.
Once the new driveway has been installed, it will take around six months to fully cure it. Even if the asphalt driveway is damaged or cracked, there are plenty of sealants available in the market that you can use in order to repair your driveway. Conventional crack sealants are quite good and can easily cover the cracks, making your driveway look as good as new.
