Concrete or Asphalt

[Rockin' G Ranch]

I have a 20' x 40' barn with crushed concrete for a floor. It is very dusty and I am wanting to put down a better floor. I have checked on asphalt and concrete and asphalt costs at least half of what concrete would.
Is there any reasons NOT to use asphalt?

 

[/pine]

If you decide to go with asphalt...and you would rather not have a black/dark floor...

here is a good trick...get a bag of trinity white portland cement and after the hot asphalt has been rolled out...spread the portland just enough to cover the surface....work it with a wide broom...
...once it cools you can broom and or vacuum up any extra dust...the white coat will remain for the life of the paving...regular portland can be used to look (reflect light) like regular concrete...

 

[chim]

One consideration would be the hardness. If you plan on using a jack or jack stands they would be better on concrete. Also, spilled petroleum fluids may stain concrete but they won't dissolve it.

 

[dragoneggs]

Concrete would be my definite choice not considering money. Will stay flatter, especially if using heavy equipment and warm weather. A driveway yes asphalt, but I like a concrete pad that you will be working on, parking equipment, etc.

 

[Soundguy]

no way i'd do asphalt.

for all the reasons stated.

jacks will print it.

a oil drip or spileld fuel can will eat a spot out of it permanently.

patching asphalt looks like 'excreted food '

plus it must be rolled to be good. around your edges and poles it will be hand tamped.. and not as good...

 

[RDrancher]

A lot of petroleum products (like gas) will damage or melt asphalt. Something to think about.

Looks like I was out-typed. :laughing:

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I'd stick with concrete for all of the above reasons as well.

 

[jel1988]

Asphalt a poor excuse for a floor. If you place anything with wheels or sharp edges it will eventually imprint into the floor. Park your tractor in the same spot you'll leave impressions not to mention tire tracks to the impressions. Think of how much it will cost to remove and dispose of and then putting in a concrete floor. If you can't afford the entire concrete floor, do it in sections most ready mix companies have part load charges so order more concrete than that and do part of the floor. Sometime the cheap turns out to be expensive!

 

[Western]

What they said! Wont be cheaper in the long run and you wont like sweeping it.

 

[Western]

What they said! and you wont like sweeping it. Use the barn walls for the "forms" and do the re-bar yourself to save money, just pay someone to "pour and finish". Should cost around a $1-2 per foot

 

[rswyan]

I'd go concrete ...

 

[murphy1244]

I would not like the smell of it in the heat

 

[The Deerslayer]

I am in the process of looking into having the other half of our barn floor done with concrete. Currently one half is in concrete, the other has mismatch of old pallets and plywood scraps on top of dirt. Mainly used for hay storage, but I also keep implements there. Very uneven and extremely annoying when attepting to hook up implements or move the log splitter in and out of storage. This will allow for much better storage and movement of the tractor implements, etc... I have not even considered another material besides concrete until seeing your post on asphalt. As others have noted, I would and am definitely going with concrete. I hope to price this out and have it done in the spring. Good luck with your project.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Concrete is the only way to go. I calculated that at $120 per yard, material cost would be about $1200 for concrete. I don't know what labor for placing and finishing it would run in your area. I would split the load into 2 -5 yard trucks and stagger the time so you don't have one truck getting too old before you can get it unloaded.

 

[dragoneggs]

Cleaning, sweeping is a huge deal that I didn't include.... Western is so right on with this benefit. GO CONCRETE! Asphalt looks good until you start using/abusing it. Case closed???

 

[Diamondpilot]

Concrete only for all the reasons mentioned. Asphalt is fine on a driving surface but not for storage.

Chris

 

[murphy1244]

Concrete only for all the reasons mentioned. Asphalt is fine on a driving surface but not for storage.

Chris

But resealing it is a pain

 

[EddieWalker]

Every time I've seen an asphalt floor in a building, it reminded me of Sanford and Son. I never seen one on that show, but they all have a very junky look to them. They never seem to hold up very well and I'm not sure why. I never dented a road when changing a flat, and I never seen a road that would be easy to roll things around on or work on, so I don't understand why so many driveways and covered areas that are asphalt. Maybe it's because the affordable option means they cut too many corners and the results end up that way?

Concrete is the best option by far. It lasts forever and you will never regret having it. If it's too expensive to do now, wait until you have enough to do it. I've never regretted spending the extra money for quality, and I've always regretted saving a buck for something that I knew wasn't the best option available.

Eddie

 

[hslogger]

CONCRETE! If you are really serious about it, you can laser level it for flat or slope. You can put a low spot in the center, you can seal it. It won't dent or deteriorate. You can seal it and it makes it one heck of a lot easier to sweep if you want. If not you can have brush or coarse finish and it will be something that you won't slip on. I may have misread but did not find any reference toward real use? Live stock? work shop? car shop? The votes are all for Concrete. Concrete and rebar and you will never ever regret it

 

[boomer1025]

My vote is for concrete with fiber, no rebar.