The short version
| What to compare | Concrete | Asphalt |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | Usually more | Usually less |
| How long it lasts | 30 years or more on a good base | Often 15 to 20 years |
| Upkeep | Wash it, and keep salt off in the first winter | Seal it every few years and fill cracks |
| Repairs | Patches are hard to hide | Easy to patch |
| Summer heat | Stays hard | Softens and can mark |
| Road salt | New concrete needs protecting | Handles it better |
| Looks | Broom, exposed aggregate or stamped | Black |
| Ready to drive on | About a week | Usually within a few days |
What each one costs
Our concrete driveways run $8–$12 per sq ft for a broom finish, before HST, with the old driveway taken out. A double driveway of about 800 sq ft is about $6,400–$9,600. Asphalt usually costs less per square foot.
If you're weighing them up, get a written price for each, and check that both quotes include taking out the old driveway and building up the base.
What a concrete driveway costs in Windsor →
How long each one lasts
A well-built concrete driveway can last 30 years or more. Asphalt often lasts 15 to 20 years, and it goes longer if it's sealed and repaired on time. Either one fails early if the base is thin or water sits under it.
Upkeep over the years
Asphalt needs sealing every few years and cracks filled as they open. Concrete doesn't need that kind of regular work. Keep road salt off it in the first winter, rinse off oil before it stains, and wash it a couple of times a year.
Caring for a new concrete driveway →
Summer heat
Windsor summers are hot, and asphalt is black, so it softens. Trailer jacks, motorcycle stands and even tires turned on the spot can leave marks on a hot day. Concrete stays hard.
Winter and road salt
Asphalt handles de-icing salt better than young concrete. Skip salt on new concrete through its first winter and use sand for grip. Cars drag salt home either way, so rinse the driveway on mild days.
Cracks
Concrete has control joints, so cracks have a straight, planned place to happen. Asphalt is more flexible, but it can crack in a spider-web pattern when the base underneath starts to go.
Can you pour concrete over old asphalt?
It isn't a good idea. The old surface hides whatever made it fail, and the new slab ends up too high at the garage and the sidewalk. We take the old driveway out, check the base and pour from there.
Do you need a permit?
It doesn't matter which one you pick. In Windsor, a driveway that crosses the boulevard needs a City permit.
Do you need a driveway permit in Windsor? →
Which one should you pick?
- Pick concrete if you plan to stay in the house, want less upkeep, or want a finish like exposed aggregate or stamped.
- Pick asphalt if the up-front price matters most, or if the driveway is very long.
Our take
We pour concrete, and we'll tell you straight if it's right for your lot. We'll come out, look at the old driveway and the ground under it, and give you a written price the same day, so you can put it beside an asphalt quote.
Thinking about a new driveway?
Free on-site estimate anywhere in Windsor-Essex, with a written quote the same day. One-year warranty, fully insured and WSIB covered. Call or text 519-567-4724.
