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Utilising crushed concrete comes with many different benefits. It’s not just a more affordable alternative to new aggregate it is also a very sustainable solution as it’s made from waste concrete that would otherwise end up in a landfill. If you are interested in the overall benefits of crushed concrete, why not take a look at our blog about “5 Important Benefits Of Crushed Recycled Concrete” first?

So overall, using crushed concrete comes with many benefits, but is it especially useful for example driveways? To answer this question we first have to look at the different uses of crushed concrete for driveways. You can just take the aggregate and spread it like gravel but you can also mix it with new concrete and pave your driveway which is sustainable and more cost-effective than using only new concrete. But what are the benefits and drawbacks of either method?

Using Crushed Concrete As Gravel

The biggest advantages of gravel driveways are the cost and durability compared to paved driveways as well as the permeability of rainwater. Usually, the crushed concrete just needs to be unloaded by a truck and spread over compacted soil. After that, even heavy vehicles can use the driveway, however, this leads us to what could potentially be seen as a disadvantage. Although the driveway doesn’t need to be expensively repaired or maintained, regular maintenance is still required. Over time the gravel will move and little potholes can evolve. Therefore, the driveway needs to be regularly maintained by filling the potholes with soil and spreading the stones evenly as well as adding new crushed concrete where needed.

Mixing New & Recycled Concrete

Instead of just using new concrete, mixing crushed concrete into new concrete aggregate provides many additional benefits, such as a smoother surface, significantly reduced construction time, less new material (which can be costly) and, of course, it is more environmentally friendly. Due to these benefits, crushed concrete as part of the concrete base has been a welcomed go-to paving solution for roads and airport runways already since the 1990s.

The Advantages Of Crushed Concrete For Asphalt Driveways

The biggest advantage of using crushed concrete for asphalt driveways is the cost-effectiveness compared to just using new concrete. In general, using asphalt comes with much higher longevity and a more pleasant appearance than for example a gravel driveway, but overall it is more costly than just using concrete waste as gravel. An asphalt driveway is also more comfortable to drive on (which can be a deciding point depending on the length of the driveway). Although asphalt driveways need less regular maintenance, once cracks appear through for example temperature fluctuations and potholes wear out, the maintenance and repair are much more expensive and labour intensive compared to a gravel driveway. Therefore, asphalt driveways are also not ideal for heavy goods vehicles.

So the answer to the question “Is Crushed Concrete Good For Driveways?” can be answered with yes. How you ultimately use it really depends on your budget and circumstances. A gravel driveway can be the optimal solution for you if your driveway is short and you are looking for an easily affordable solution. An asphalt driveway can be the optimal solution if you are looking for something that needs less regular attention, looks upscale and is comfortable to drive on. Whatever the needs, this versatile material can be utilised for either method so why not get in touch to put your project into effect?

Al Manaratain is one of the top construction companies in Bahrain and has been in the concrete recycling business for over 20 years. We offer different sized aggregate from 5mm to 20mm.