Massive 3,100 Square Feet Driveway Pour in 7 Hours! All Season Turf/Concrete Step by Step Video

Concrete vs asphalt. That is the question we asked ourselves when we were in the process of deciding what to do with the hardscape of the property we recently purchased. The asphalt was 42 years old and not properly installed or maintained. After much research here are the pros and cons of both asphalt and concrete.

Asphalt is currently less expensive per sq ft. I received a quote for all new asphalt for $17,000 for this project. The concrete was $27,000 for the final project. Asphalt is much less expensive than concrete or so it would appear. If you are just looking at a pure budget standpoint, asphalt is the clear winner. But asphalt does require sealing which in the case of this 3,100 sq ft driveway would be about $930 every time I would need it done or every 3-4 years. After 30 years without inflation that would be $9,300 or just about the cost of the concrete driveway, we had installed.

Asphalt also cures quickly. After one day it is ready to drive on. Concrete takes two weeks to reach 90% strength, so no driving or parking on it for at least 7 days. 14 days is better. Asphalt wins in that category if you are in a hurry to finish the project. Asphalt does need more future upkeep as I mentioned. You will need to seal it every 3-4 years for the life of the asphalt. The average lifespan is 30 years for asphalt. Concrete doesn’t need to be maintained so unlike asphalt it is a one-and-done deal. The lifespan for concrete is 40-50 years.

Asphalt gets hot and retains heat. In very hot regions that can be a drawback. In extreme heat, it can soften. Concrete does not get nearly as hot. Extreme heat does not affect concrete. Concrete can crack in colder freezing areas. Asphalt is cold weather resistant. But asphalt by its nature tends to crack and chip much more than concrete as you can see from the 42-year-old driveway in the video. So concrete overall is more durable.

The overall look of concrete is better and you can do more with concrete. In two of our other projects, we had the concrete colored and stamped. You can get asphalt now in different colors, but the stamping can only be done with concrete. After the first year asphalt tends to fade and look older faster. Although asphalt does hide oil stains and other stains better than concrete. Concrete remains the same year after year but can be stained by oil and metal objects. Overall I like the look of concrete much better than asphalt.

Regardless if you choose concrete or asphalt the installation and base are the one key element of the longevity of the project. The asphalt in the video was not prepped with care. Some of the areas were 3” thick, other areas 4 ½” thick. It was also not level and there was no compacted gravel base. It was poured over unleveled dirt back in 1981.

Contrast that with the concrete project by All Season Turn. It was reinforced with rebar and the dirt was overlayed in 8 scoops of gravel which was compacted down making it a firm and hard base. It was also carefully measured so that all of the concrete was 4” thick from the edge of the house to each wood frame.

All Season Turf Service area, Los Angeles County, Ventura County Orange County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Riverside County, Imperial County
To contact All Season Turf
https://www.myallseasonturf.com/
(866) 365-TURF (866) 365-8873

Other projects by All Season Turf:
All Season Turf Full Front Yard Remodel: Turf, River Rock Landscaping and Stamped Concrete!:
https://youtu.be/Az-vTqGuTp8

Complete Backyard Remodel! Stamped Concrete, Artificial Turf and More: Featuring All Season Turf:
https://youtu.be/MNsfnN4F78E

Artificial Turf Install: 9 Hour Job in a 6 Minute Video! Step by Step Featuring All Season Turf:
https://youtu.be/fYinG-IwKuc

Stamped Concrete by All Season Turf - Watch this Step by Step Video!: https://youtu.be/4gdzG_Fz1eI

How to Choose the Right Artificial Turf: https://youtu.be/X28x3MtZEvw

Chapter Marks:
00:00 Intro
01:03 Demolition
02:57 Gravel & Rebar
04:50 Concrete Pour
09:45 Concrete Finishing

Music:
Winds Of War by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9137-winds-of-war
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Crime Time by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9136-crime-time
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Funky Life by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6040-funky-life
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Cold Funk by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3522-cold-funk
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As I Figure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3383-as-i-figure
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Wepa by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4615-wepa
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license