Is it Worth Re-Paving Your Driveway?

Re-Paving your driveway can be an expensive endeavor but it's worth considering if you want to improve its appearance and extend its lifespan. Learn more about when re-paving might be necessary.

Is it Worth Re-Paving Your Driveway?

As a general rule, if the cracks in your driveway are less than a quarter of an inch wide, you can get away with repairing the surface. You can then choose to reseal or re-polish the entire surface to ensure that the doorway looks uniform. In this scenario, it is recommended to completely replace the doorway surface. Although resurfacing can repair many badly damaged asphalt roads, it is not a cure for everything.

Some driveways have extensive damage that extends to the foundation of the driveway. Applying excavation patches can correct relatively small fault areas, but is not practical for large or multiple problems. If a simple repair doesn't work, you may need to re-pave your driveway. Resurfacing is a process in which additional layers of asphalt are added to the top of the doorway.

This gives your doorway a completely new look and top coat. The renovation of the surface of your doorway depends on the repair process. If there are cracks and holes in the driveway, they will appear when re-paving if the asphalt is not properly repaired. The coating is an excellent choice for people with minor cracks in their driveway, provided that the asphalt base layer remains structurally sound.

Resurfacing can give your doorway a whole new look, without the cost of a complete replacement. The short answer is: “yes” it is worth re-paving your driveway. If there are no problems with the underlying base on which the resurfacing agent is poured, the new material will last. It adheres to foundations, creates a seal, and leaves you with a completely new concrete driveway. Those problems may include widening of cracks, crumbling of concrete, and that can lead to the need to re-pave the concrete driveway, repair it, or complete a replacement. Resurfacing is more common with asphalt access roads, but can also be completed on a concrete driveway.

Resurfacing includes replacing the top layer of concrete or asphalt rather than tearing it completely or patching small portions. This acts as a decorative coating at a fraction of the cost of removing and replacing concrete, but it is still important to have an idea of the cost of resurfacing the doorway. While resurfacing is a great option to give your doorway this new look, if your driveway structure is not solid, resurfacing efforts could do more harm than good. Resurfacing can make your driveway look and feel like new for a fraction of the cost of replacing it. The cost of resurfacing concrete depends on several factors, specifically the size of your site, the materials of the doorway chosen for finishing and how many repairs are needed. While the initial cost is higher than patching or resurfacing, it is a long-term investment. Resurfacing is a more cost-effective option compared to replacing the doorway, and will add up to 10 more years of service life to your driveway.

Concrete road cladding is an option for driveways of vehicles that are in good condition and do not have large cracks. If the top of your driveway needs extensive repairs but the base is still intact, or if you are concerned about the appearance of patched concrete or filled cracks, consider re-paving it. It is possible to coat concrete and asphalt with surfaces such as brick pavers, new concrete, new asphalt and even gravel. Painting a concrete driveway can help protect it, but if you've noticed that your driveway needs a bigger facelift, you may need to consider resurfacing the concrete driveway.

Or, if there is too much damage and crumbling, you may need to weigh the pros and cons of resurfacing concrete compared to replacing it. Re-paving your driveway can be an expensive endeavor but it's worth considering if you want to improve its appearance and extend its lifespan. Resurfacing offers an economical solution that will give your driveway a brand new look without having to replace it entirely. When deciding whether or not re-paving your driveway is worth it for you, consider all factors including cost and time involved in order to make an informed decision that best suits your needs.