Should You Choose Asphalt or Concrete for Your New Parking Lot?

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When having a new parking lot installed in a commercial facility, your road contractor can recommend either asphalt or concrete to you; there will be cost differences, time it takes to set, and other such details to consider that only he or she can explain. However, there are some other factors to keep in mind beyond the cost and time of installation when it comes to making your choice. Note a few of those factors here and then discuss these with your road contractor so you know the best choice for your property.

Heavy traffic

If your parking lot will see lots of heavy vehicles, asphalt may get very soft in hot summer sun and you may see the indentation of tires left behind. This means more maintenance to asphalt over time. Concrete may be more durable in that case.

On the other hand, asphalt does absorb more noise than concrete because of its softer, bumpier texture. If your commercial facility will be located next to an office or retail shops, or if you want to reduce the noise of that heavy traffic for any reason, asphalt may be a better option, and you can simply have it leveled as needed.

Texture

Because of its bumpier texture, asphalt may provide more traction in icy and snowy conditions. You can have an aggregate added to concrete to create a bumpier texture, and this is often done for roads and sidewalks. Discuss this option with your road contractor and note how often that aggregate would need to be replaced or repaired, and the cost of replacement. If you choose a very cheap aggregate to save on installation costs, it may get torn up more readily over the years and your concrete needs resurfacing more often.

Durability

Asphalt tends to break down more readily than concrete when exposed to oils and other fluids that can damage its petroleum base. If your facility uses oils that may spill onto the parking lot or you have heavy trucks, forklifts, and other vehicles that may drip oil, concrete would be a better option. If your area has long and heavy winters, asphalt may hold up better under the cold weather as concrete may get brittle and crack more readily when exposed to cold and a freeze-thaw cycle. Water getting under concrete from ice and snow melting can also cause it to shift and crack, so asphalt may be better in colder climates.


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