Paving Franchise: What’s a More Attractive Investment?
Visit any big city in America and you will see a lot of paved surfaces. And as our country continues to urbanize, pavement will cover more of it. So, at first glance, it makes sense that a paving franchise would be a profitable business to open. But if you take a closer look, you’ll find a better option.
Asphalt, Black Top, and Concrete: What’s the Difference?
Most people, unless they work in the construction industry, use the terms asphalt and blacktop interchangeably, but they are three different materials that are used for different purposes.
Both asphalt and blacktop are made of crushed stone combined with a viscous tar-like substance called bitumen, then heated. The difference between them is in the ratio of the materials, and the temperature. Blacktop has a greater stone content than asphalt and must be heated to a higher temperature.
Asphalt’s higher bitumen content makes it more resistant to wear and tear, so it’s used for highways. Blacktop is not as resilient. It’s used for lower trafficked areas like parking lots and driveways.
Concrete is similar to asphalt and blacktop as it is also made from stone. But concrete contains no petroleum products, it is bound with cement. Cement is made from ingredients that can include calcium, silicon, aluminum, and iron. This makes concrete a good option for those worried about the harmful effects of petroleum products.
Beyond Blacktop: The Trend in Driveways
People used to think of their driveways as simply a way to get from the street to their garage. Most driveways were slabs of blacktop or concrete. But a rise in the popularity of home improvement television shows have started some homeowners thinking about the curb appeal of their houses. A plain, boring, driveway doesn’t fit this aesthetic. Today, driveways can be made from a variety of different materials including brick, pavers, flagstone, and cobblestone, giving you so many color and pattern options. Black top only comes in one color: black.
Why A Decorative Concrete Franchise Is a Better Option
Not every homeowner can afford to spend a lot of money for a fancy driveway. That’s where decorative concrete comes in. At Concrete Craft, we have developed proprietary techniques for stamping, staining, and resurfacing ordinary grey concrete so it looks just like those more expensive materials. And we do so much more than driveways. We can also transform the appearance of concrete so that it mimics tile, slate, granite, marble, and even wood. This provides the homeowner with a variety of options for numerous projects including patios and pool decks, polished concrete floors for garages, a slate or stacked stone designs for fireplaces, and floors that look like they are made from wood planks.
Because paving projects are exterior, if you own a paving franchise, your work will be dictated by the season and the weather conditions. Since decorative concrete is used in the home as well as outside, you won’t have the same restrictions if you own a Concrete Craft franchise.
Plus, there is an artistic component to the work we do at Concrete Craft—no two projects are the same.
Concrete Craft is the nation’s largest decorative concrete franchise in the country. And there aren’t a lot of independent businesses doing what we do as it requires more skill than paving. We offer an extensive training program so all our franchisees learn the ins and outs of decorative concrete. By the time a franchisee opens for business, they will be an expert in the field.
Get Started with Concrete Craft Today
To find out more about the benefits of owning a Concrete Craft instead of a paving franchise, contact us today. One of our franchise advisors will be in touch to answer your questions and get you started on the road to franchise ownership.