9 Benefits Of An Asphalt Parking Lot

If you're considering paving options for a new commercial parking lot, you might be weighing options between asphalt or concrete, but an asphalt surface has many advantages. At Quality Parking Lot Maintenance, we can provide you with asphalt paving, seal coating and much more. Here are 10 benefits of choosing an asphalt parking lot over other paving materials.

1. Durability

Asphalt holds up incredibly well compared to other pavement options when subjected to regular vehicle traffic, weather, and chemical exposures. The material is flexible enough to withstand the movement and stresses created by cars and trucks yet is still resistant to cracking, fractures, and deterioration. Quality asphalt can remain in service for upwards of 20 years with proper maintenance.

2. Low Maintenance

Once installed, asphalt parking lots require very little ongoing maintenance compared to other pavement surfaces. Other than occasional seal coating every 2-3 years, asphalt is extremely durable and crack-resistant, minimizing repair needs.

You can expect to spend far less time and enjoy lower maintenance costs and less upkeep versus alternatives like concrete or pavers. Asphalt is less prone to cracking from settlement, tree roots, or freeze-thaw cycles. It also resists the staining, scaling, and pitting that can plague concrete over time.

Just minding basic housekeeping like sweeping, line painting, and pothole filling ensures an asphalt lot stays neatly maintained. And any damage that does occur over decades of use can often be addressed with a new overlay rather than completely tearing up and repaving the entire lot.

Asphalt's longevity and ease of renewal make it a very low-maintenance solution for the long haul. You’ll get excellent returns from your investment without the constant vigilance needed with a concrete parking lot. Sealcoating parking lots is another one of our areas of expertise, so when you need this service, give us a call at any time.

3. Cost-Effective

Due to fast installation times and low material costs, asphalt is one of the most budget-friendly surfacing materials for parking lots. Initial asphalt costs can be 20-50% less than alternate options like a concrete parking lot or pavers.

The ability to patch and resurface existing asphalt instead of fully re-paving also makes it very cost-effective over the lifespan of the lot. Owners can realize excellent value from both the initial investment and long-term ownership expenditures.

4. Customizable

Asphalt can be laid in various colors and patterns to designate parking spaces, directions, or logos. In addition to our parking lot paving services, we also can provide you with line striping services. At Quality Parking Lot Maintenance, we do our best to provide as many services for our clients as possible.

5. Quick Installation

Asphalt can be paved quickly over large areas and sets to allow use in just a few hours. Thus, there is minimal disruption to business, which is a huge advantage over concrete, which can take several weeks to cure. Obviously, business owners can’t wait for weeks in order for their parking lot to be usable, thus asphalt is almost always a better option.

6. Impervious Surface

One of the major advantages of asphalt in a humid, rainy state like Florida is its imperviousness to water. The paved surface area is resistant to moisture penetration. This prevents puddles, ponding, and flooding issues during Florida's frequent heavy rainfalls, essentially enabling year-round use regardless of precipitation levels. Rainwater will rapidly sheet off a well-laid asphalt lot without penetrating the base or sub-grades.

This imperviousness also means the lot can be usable again quickly after storms, rather than requiring a longer drying out period. And the lack of moisture absorption means the asphalt surface avoids the freeze/thaw cracking that can plague permeable pavements in the occasional cold Florida snaps. Asphalt's water-shedding abilities make it an ideal long-lasting surface for Florida environments.

7. Smooth Surface

Properly laid asphalt provides a smooth, flat surface ideal for parking lots. While this is a benefit for drivers, it also is safer for pedestrians, decreasing the likelihood of falls and reducing your insurance risks.

8. Reusable & Sustainable

Asphalt offers a high degree of sustainability and environmental friendliness for several reasons. Existing asphalt pavement can be reclaimed and recycled back into new asphalt mixes, reducing landfill disposal. The material can also be recycled repeatedly with proper processing.

Asphalt production also mainly utilizes aggregate rock and recycled components, minimizing dependence on virgin natural resources. Pavement reclamation techniques allow reuse right at the site, eliminating transport-related emissions. Asphalt surfaces also don't contribute to the urban heat island effect like concrete does, lowering temperatures.

Studies also show lighter colored asphalt can offer increased reflectivity, further reducing environmental impact. As concerns about climate change and resources grow, asphalt's ability to be recycled continuously makes it an excellent sustainable option.

9. Aesthetics

Aesthetics are an important parking lot factor for many business owners. A smooth, black asphalt parking lot provides a clean, sleek look that appeals to many property owners and businesses. The dark color hides oil drips and tire marks well. Contrasting lines for parking spaces, directions, and logos painted on asphalt really pop visually.

Asphalt is often preferred over lighter concrete for visual reasons – some find large concrete lots to be harsh and reflective. With the creative application of color, stamping and coatings, asphalt can be both attractive and functional. The appearance can bolster a company's brand image and complement landscaping features surrounding the lot as well.

Contact Our Commercial Paving Company Today!

At Quality Parking Lot Maintenance, our commercial paving contractors can install an asphalt parking lot and provide additional services such as seal coating, line striping, milling and asphalt parking lot repair, such as patching. We also provide excavation and investigation services, so if your lot has a history of experiencing issues, our team can get to the bottom of it and find a solution.