How To Decide Between Concrete vs. Asphalt vs. Brick Pavers For Your Next Project?

Depending on who you are asking you may get three different answers to the question “what’s better… asphalt or concrete or brick pavers?” Here are some answers we have heard over the years:

“Asphalt is better because it’s most cost effective to install, easier to repair, it shrinks and expands better with weather changes, it hides oil and other stains, and it can last a really long time… 15-20 +/- years” says an asphalt paving contractor salesman.

“Concrete is better because it has much less on-going maintenance, it looks more professional than asphalt, has less trip hazards than bricks, less likely to have potholes than asphalt,, it is stronger than asphalt, it lasts longer… it has a lifespan of 30 to 40+/- years sometimes longer” says a concrete contractor salesman.

"Brick pavers are the best option because they are the most aesthetically pleasing, if installed with a permeable base you may qualify for tax incentives and/or there may be perks from your local city / county or state for having permeable surface on your property, they are greener option, they can last a really long time if installed properly… I mean look at downtown Chicago alleys, they still have brick pavers that have been there for over 90 years!” says a brick paving company salesman.

The reality is the answer to whether asphalt or concrete or brick pavers is better starts with defining the word “better” for your organization. At AC Construction Corp we install asphalt, concrete, and brick pavers. We do not need or want to steer you in one way or another. The point is, to answer this question we would first seek to understand your short-term and long-term goals, your budget, and your specific property / facility. The reality is there are many projects where the answer is actually all three should be used on the same project in different areas. Whether you work with us or another contractor, here are the types of questions and topics your contractor should be discussing and reviewing with you:

Schedule: How soon are you looking to accomplish this? Do you have a specific month or time of year when it absolutely has to be completed or is your schedule open ended? For example, we had client that was always closed in January and that was the only time of the year they felt they could have their work completed. Well, in Illinois asphalt plants are typically closed in the winter therefore you cannot get asphalt in January. They were trying to decide between asphalt and concrete and when we went through their schedule with them, it helped make this decision a lot easier.
Project Timeframe: Is there a timeframe between when the work is completed and when vehicles must be able to drive on the surface? Can there be no traffic for 24 hours/ 48 hours/ a full 7 days? For example, we have worked with clients that operate 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Sometimes loading docks are in use all the time. Can the contractor work around trucks? Are they prepared to ramp up and down so your semi trucks can still load and unload while there is gravel? How many lanes can be worked on at the same time? Does it have to be night time or weekend work? Each of these questions can impact cost and can impact which material is used.

Weight Capacity: What is the weight of the traffic on the surface (pedestrian, bicycles, cars, trucks, semi-trucks, heavy construction equipment, etc.)? Will large vehicles be regularly turning their wheels on the surface in one location (this eats away at the surface of the paving material)? For example: We had a loading dock client that wanted to remove the asphalt loading dock and replace it with concrete because there were large deep ruts in the asphalt from semi trucks parking in each bay and they also had an area where the semi-trucks were tearing up the asphalt because all of them were pulling forward, turning the wheel, then backing into the loading dock. We recommended replacing that one small square of asphalt with concrete to prevent the asphalt from being damaged.
Budget: Many people quickly assume budget is how much they have to spend on the project today, but the reality is your total spend on a project is typically much more than the initial installation. There is on-going maintenance required for any surface. Some require much much less than others. Understanding what your in-house staff can do and cannot do and whether there is an on-going annual maintenance budget will help steer which option is best for your project. We often work with non-profits with specific grants that cover them for the installation, but do not cover any on-going maintenance. Will the contractor you are working with incorporate a multi-year maintenance agreement into the sales price? NOTE: Double check whether this is allowed under your grant and also make sure you trust the company you select if you pay up-front for an on-going service.
Aesthetics: The look is an important thing to considered. Your parking lot or sidewalk or front entryway is typically the very first thing your employees, members, patrons, clients, customers, etc. see when they approach your organization. Do you want to make a statement about being green by using permeable pavers? Do you want them to see a freshly sealcoated parking lot each year with new paint striping regularly to show how well maintained everything is? Do you prefer concrete or even stamped concrete or an exposed aggregate concrete to show an upgraded look? Aesthetics all comes down to what you are trying to accomplish. Any of the three options can work well.
Climate: Our business is based in Illinois and so our clients typically have freeze/ thaw and salting/ snow plowing to deal with. If you live in the southern states where snow and snow plowing is not an issue, you may have different answers to how this impacts your choice. For us, you need to consider salt, snow plowing, etc.

This article is not intended to overwhelm you with information, the point is if a contractor tries to push you toward concrete or asphalt or brick pavers, you should probably think twice about that contractor’s motive. Are they actually trying to help you? Did they take the time to understand and listen to your needs? Or are they pushing you towards the surface that his/her company sells and makes money from? If you'd like to see a side-by-side comparison, we created a chart to compare the pros and cons of each option. While it isn’t perfect and there are always exceptions to these generalizations, we are attempting to provide a simple way to review the three options.

Side-By-Side Comparison

How To Decide Between Concrete vs. Asphalt vs. Brick Pavers For Your Next Project?

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