Learn about the difference between concrete and asphalt parking lots.
Whether you’re installing a new parking lot or replacing one that’s been well worn and damaged over the years, you should weigh your options carefully. After all, a parking lot gives the first impression of your building in many ways, so it’s important that it’s safe, durable, and easy to maintain. Parking lots are generally laid in asphalt or concrete, and there are a number of factors that will help determine which is right for you. Choosing a parking lot will mainly depend on the amount of traffic your lot will see, weather patterns in your area, and the required level of ongoing maintenance. Using these main criteria, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of concrete and asphalt parking lots.
Traffic
Concrete is a great option for serious durability. These parking lots are laid in large slabs that are great for handling heavy traffic. This makes concrete a great option if you expect your parking lot to experience heavy traffic regularly. However, asphalt parking lots tend to have better contrast, so striping and safety paint can be easier to see. This can help keep traffic from getting congested in your parking lot, preventing parking issues or even accidents.
Weather Patterns
During extreme heat, you’ll notice that dark asphalt parking lots absorb a lot of heat. This can lead to issues with cracking over time, or even tire blowouts if the temperature climbs high enough. Concrete is lighter in color, causing it to reflect much of this heat and helping it perform better in extremely hot temperatures. However, asphalt stands up better to years of freeze/thaw cycles, which can cause cracks, warping, and potholes to form during the changing of the seasons.
Installation
Asphalt is known for being easy and quick to install. This material can be laid fairly quickly and will then just need to dry and be painted. Concrete is a more complicated job. Since it’s laid in large slabs, the installation has to be carefully planned, and it may take longer.
The Right Choice for You
At the end of the day, the parking lot that meets your needs is the right choice for you. Choose a concrete parking lot if you plan to experience a lot of hot weather and a lot of heavy traffic. These parking lots won’t require any maintenance, but the slabs will need to be replaced every few years.
Choose an asphalt parking lot if you want pavement that will stand up to the freeze/thaw cycle throughout the year. The bases will last for years without requiring major repairs, and asphalt maintenance is usually easy- patching and repainting can leave your parking lot looking new. These are also a great choice for people looking to build their parking lot from recycled materials.
Do You Have Questions About Parking Lot Installation? PTG Enterprises Can Help!
If you want to protect your driveway or parking lot and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your sealcoating and asphalt needs. We offer commercial concrete, masonry, asphalt installation, repair, and paving throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.
Tags: asphalt, Concrete, My Pavement Guy, PTG Enterprises
