[John D]

OK guys, any "experts" out there, or people with experience??

Here's the deal. Need a new driveway. The existing (concrete) is all spalled, pitted, and only goes 1/2 way up from the street. The remaining 1/2 to the garage is gravel/class 5. I'm tired of the dirt in the house, and flinging rocks with the snowblower!

Dimensions: 14' wide at the garage, tapering to 12' wide at the street apron, 97' long. There will also be a 23' x 23' "L" off the side to complete the front of the garage and a "turn-out" area.

Had a guy out for an estimate yesterday. His outfit does asphalt. Gave me some very good reasons to think about asphalt vs. concrete - climate, temp. cycles, etc. They use a material called "M.C." (??), over a dolemite compacted base.

Quote includes all permits, removal, grading, fill, base, compaction, and product. Warranty against excessive cracking (??), failure, etc. Average life expectancy is 30+ years. Been in business for 51.
Cost: $10,719

[gigem]

I remember the exact same question being posted here a year ago or so. Concrete was the overwhelming answer...

[6t7gto]

concrete!
if it is installed correctly, no maintenace issues whatsoever.
asphalt needs to be coated periodically.
david

[CITY GIRL]

Concrete!!!

[GRN69CHV]

You're in Minnessota - blocktop only. Concrete can not be salted. You will get frost heaves in the winter. All the new highway construction in the cold climates use concrete as a base then black top as a wear layer. Every concrete road in my area has been replaced or topped with blacktop. In a warm climate, I would do nothing but concrete, but where you get frezzing, it just doen't handle the winter conditions well.

[BillsCamino]

Concrete!
It makes for better launches...

[CITY GIRL]

Originally Posted by GRN69CHV

You're in Minnessota - blocktop only. Concrete can not be salted. You will get frost heaves in the winter. All the new highway construction in the cold climates use concrete as a base then black top as a wear layer. Every concrete road in my area has been replaced or topped with blacktop. In a warm climate, I would do nothing but concrete, but where you get frezzing, it just doen't handle the winter conditions well.

EXSPANSION JOINTS, usually they do not put enough ...nicole

[NiteOwlNY]

How about pavers? I would say asphault in a colder climate, it has a lot more give.

[7t]

thats almost 6 dollars a sq. ft. kind of high for blacktop.
around here the going rate for tare out and replace of concrete depending on sq. footage is $8 or less. you have very little tare out.most likely none of the gravel would need hauled away.
here you don't even need a permit for anything other than apron at street.
the ground freezes under blacktop as well as concrete. asphalt will heave.and crack because it is frozen and loses its ability flex like it does when its hot.
i have done dozens of huge freezers for Khans, Meijer,Walmart. not a one of them had a blacktop floor in them.
it boils down to blacktop is just cheaper to do and replace. done right (sub base) and properly sealed it should out last whoever poured it.
you may want to get another price for concrete and blacktop.funny someone thats been in business for 51 years would even do such a small job

[Gloryhound]

Concrete with an integrated water/anti-freeze system so you do not have to worry about shovelling it off. Turn on the heater wait 30 minutes and your drive will have no snow on it, no salt needed! Also everytime you tar your drive you will be cleaning tar off the rear quarters of your chevelle for weeks!!

[1badss396]

Brick Pavers, I use them all the time for everything..
I bet you can get a price for $4.50 to $5.00 a square foot.
If your really interested I can order them for you and get a contractors rate for you.
Check them out
http://www.tremron.com/

[John D]

We had thought about pavers until this winter - when I saw a guy down the block trying to shovel/snowblow on them!

(Honestly I was a "concrete" guy until talking to this estimator - he pointed out the following points that relate to my climate:
Asphalt..
1) The material that's used is the same, roadway grade stuff on the streets.
2) Their base material is custom crushed to their specification - no pockets or air-space, water infiltration - complete compaction.
3) Asphalt never "hardens", remains pliable even at 20 below.
4) Asphalt is one continuous "sheet".
4) Being oil/petroleum based, water does not seep in.
5) The sealer they use is gas/oil/grease resistant. Asphalt won't get gooey if promptly cleaned off.

Concrete..
1) Expansion joints are just that. They are a pre-made point so the slab will crack at a certain place.
2) These cracks allow water to get in/under the slab.
3) Repeated freeze/thaw cycles will cause heaves at the expansion joints
4) Gas/oil/grease will stain concrete
5) Kick stands & pogo sticks won't dent concrete

I'm still listening guys... but remember - in a twelve month period of time we go from -20 to +102, with a dozen hard freeze/thaw cycles thrown in!

[daveseitz]

John, Can the present concrete be resurfaced? One of the biggest costs is removal of old driveway. Get some members together on a Sat with a couple of pros and pour it. I know one guy who does this on the side if you want.

[1badss396]

John, you can also get pavers in 1'x1' or even 2'x2' squares, and should be the same price they go by the square foot all the same, that would make it alot easier to shovel the snow? We dont get snow here in Florida, LOL
Also they make a special paver sealer for them and you cant stain them with oil,ect.

[Hal_396]

Concrete, I live in Iowa and faced your same question back in 00. I went with concrete and have been extremely glad I did. They told me not to use any ICE melt on it the first winter. It still looks new. I keep the expansion cuts cleaned out but thats just me.