This article is about the material used for road surface paving. See Pavement for further information on various uses of the term "pavement" (disambiguation). A road surface, often known as a pavement, is a durable surface material that is placed down on an area meant to support automotive or pedestrian activity, such as a road or sidewalk. The word pavement comes from the Latin pavimentum, which means "a covering." In modern usage, the word refers to any surface constructed from asphalt or concrete. However, in early use, it also referred to a flooring material made of wood or other substances. Paving is the process of laying down a solid surface material. The two main types of pavements are asphalt and concrete. Asphalt pavements are laid down over an elastic base material, such as crushed rock or gravel. They can be colored using various methods such as spray painting or troweling. Asphalt is easy to maintain and durable. It can also be heated to avoid ice accumulation during the winter months. Concrete pavements are poured into forms and allowed to harden before being removed. Like asphalt, they can be painted or stained to create different colors. Concrete is stronger than asphalt and can bear more weight per square foot. It is also less likely to crack when exposed to heat or cold weather conditions. The type of pavement used for a given application will depend on factors such as budget, durability required, traffic volume, and climate.