Taking care of your concrete will help it last longer and let you get the most out of your investment. The first year requires some effort, but it gets easier with each passing year.

Concrete is the most durable product you can use for the paving of parking lots, driveways, roadways, bridges and more. But all concrete cracks. To minimize large cracks, proper installation and maintenance play a huge part in the lifespan of your concrete driveway or parking area.

There's simply no comparison: Concrete lasts nearly twice as long as asphalt, making it a wise, long-term investment. The additional up-front costs of the concrete material itself and preparing the ground underneath the concrete can make a significant difference in the longevity of the material and the full life cycle cost comparison between concrete and asphalt.

There's a reason that concrete is the world's most widely used and most recycled construction material. A concrete surface can last twice as long as asphalt. That durability advantage means less maintenance, fewer repairs, and an end to the expensive reconstruction cycle. For a better, long-term investment, concrete is the easy choice.

Most people understand that two different materials will have different costs, but what about the time it takes to get the work done using each of those materials? For a business or resident who is impacted by the length of time it takes to rebuild a pavement, the duration of the project has an indirect cost to them. And that cost should be taken into account when deciding what type of material to use.

Concrete is an excellent choice for an attractive, durable, and low-maintenance choice for your parking area. Two factors account for a quality product that will last: what's under the concrete and the weather conditions when it is poured.

As our members work to keep Michigan’s essential road and bridge infrastructure projects moving forward, ensuring employee health and safety is vital. The following best practices are provided as a resource. Consult your company’s legal, safety, insurance, labor and HR teams to determine the appropriate practice for your operations.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2020-21 - What does it mean for the Concrete Industry?

Blessed be the ties that bind. Therein is the key difference between concrete and asphalt: The binder.

Concrete and asphalt are both made with a mixture of aggregate. Concrete is bonded with a mixture of water and portland cement that creates a chemical reaction and hardens. Asphalt is bound with a black, sticky petroleum-based substance. This substance is behind terms like “blacktop” or “tarmac.”

Because of the key differences between the two products, concrete and asphalt contractors will offer different services to match the installation requirements.

One of the most durable and most flexible building materials, concrete has many applications. From countertops to flooring to burial vaults, bridge piers, highways and entire buildings, concrete is everywhere in our daily lives.