pros and cons of asphalt and concrete
By admin Asphalt Driveway • Asphalt Paving • • 0 Comments

Pros and Cons: Asphalt vs. Concrete Commercial Parking Lots

Commercial parking lots must be designed to withstand large volumes of traffic, seasonal weather conditions, and heavy vehicle loads. These factors must also be weighed against the anticipated lifespan of the commercial parking lot, the disruption that maintenance will cause, and the amount of money that can be spent building and maintaining the area. While, asphalt companies and concrete companies are both quick to point the benefits of their products, it is important to also consider the possible cons.

The Pros of Concrete Installation
There are several benefits to building a commercial parking lot with concrete. These pros include:

  1. Better Suited For Hot Weather. — Concrete commercial parking lots tend to be better suited for hot weather. Unlike asphalt parking lots that can soften and become oily in extreme heat conditions, concrete lots often feature a lighter color that results in cooler temperatures during the summer. Its surface is also less likely to expand or change during the hot summer months.
  2. Less Maintenance. — One of the biggest benefits of concrete parking lots is that they don’t require regular maintenance.
  3. Longer Life Span. — Concrete commercial parking lots tend to last longer than asphalt. In fact, in the right conditions a concrete lot can last for more than 40 years.
  4. Additional Customization Options. — Concrete parking lots are available in a wide variety of colors, textures, and design options.

The Cons of Concrete Installation
One of the biggest things to consider when choosing between a concrete and asphalt parking lot is the climate. In fact, many of the cons of concrete installation are centered around its reaction to below freezing temperatures.

  1. Subject To Frost Heaves. — Concrete parking lots are unfortunately subject to frost heaves. Frost heaves not only create uneven surfaces, but they often require immediate maintenance so that the area can remain safe for daily use.
  2. Susceptible To Salt Damage. — The salt used to melt ice and snow can cause long-lasting damage to concrete.
  3. More Expensive To Install. — Concrete might be easier to maintain than asphalt, however it is more expensive to install.
  4. Long Curing Time. — Concrete can take up to seven days before it is properly cured and ready to be used.
  5. Water Runoff Management. — Unlike asphalt, concrete is not permeable, which means that businesses will need to implement a water runoff management plan, especially in areas that are susceptible to extended periods of heavy rain.

The Pros of Asphalt Installation
Asphalt installation offers many potential benefits, including:

  1. Easy Installation. — An asphalt commercial parking lot can be laid, cured, and ready to use in as little as two days.
  2. Not Affected By Cold Temperatures. — Unlike concrete, asphalt is typically not affected by below freezing temperatures. Its surface doesn’t deteriorate from extended salt use during winter months.
  3. Materials Are Readily Available. — Asphalt is a material that is readily available, which means that commercial parking lot projects can often be completed more quickly.
  4. Less Expensive To Install. — Asphalt parking lots are significantly less expensive to install.
  5. Easier To Repair. — While asphalt does require more maintenance than concrete, these repairs are often inexpensive and easy to complete.

The Cons of Asphalt Installation
Asphalt parking lots do have a few potential drawbacks, including:

  1. More Preventative Maintenance. — Unlike concrete that requires minimal maintenance, asphalt does require quite a bit of preventative maintenance. The additional level of maintenance can make asphalt more expensive than concrete in the long run.
  2. Surface Damage From Gasoline. — Gasoline stains and leakage can cause damage to the surface of the asphalt commercial parking lot.
  3. Shorter Lifespan. — While asphalt can last for 15 – 20 years, concrete is known for lasting between 30 and 40 years.
  4. Negatively Affected By Heat. — Asphalt parking lots can be affected by extreme heat. Higher temperatures can cause the surface to shrink, expand, and produce an oil sheen.
  5. More Permeable Surface. — When compared to concrete, asphalt has a much softer and more permeable surface that is more susceptible to excess damage from snowplows during the winter months.

Concrete vs. Asphalt: The Choice Is Yours
Both asphalt and concrete installations offer a wide variety of benefits. Selecting the right choice for your business is made easier when you work with a trusted concrete and asphalt company, who will help you to weigh the pros and cons. Whether you want to save on the initial upfront costs of asphalt or prefer the design options associated with concrete, it is safe to say that either option will create a good commercial parking lot.

By admin Construction • • 0 Comments

6 Must-know Tips for Preparing Your Concrete for a Long Life

Pouring a new slab of concrete may look simple, but in all actuality, it takes a lot of finesse and a lot of attention to detail. The final outcome can look absolutely amazing, and this is why you will want to do all you can to make sure the concrete slab looks new for as long as possible. Fortunately, taking care of concrete isn’t as difficult as many people make it out to be. For now, let’s take a quick look at six tips for preparing your concrete for a long life.

1) Make Sure It Is Poured By Professionals

The first step you will want to follow to make sure your commercial concrete lasts as long as possible is to have it poured by professionals. And not only do you want it poured by professionals, but you want it to be mixed by professionals too. In fact, the mixture of the concrete is the number one determining factor in how well the concrete will set up.

2) Use a Microfiber Pad

When cleaning concrete floors, it is best to use a microfiber pad as this helps remove dirt particles without scratching the concrete. And since concrete has a soil as an ingredient, it is not uncommon for the dust to be quite thick on concrete floors, meaning they should be cleaned at least three to four times a week.

3) Use a Neutral Floor Cleaner

Using plain water to mop your concrete floors is a great idea because it doesn’t mess with the chemicals in the concrete. Unfortunately, though, using plain water won’t always remove all of the dust and dirt that has been attracted to the concrete floors. With this in mind, you will need to add a neutral floor cleaner to the mop water at least twice a week when cleaning the floors.

4) Clean All Concrete Floors

Some people think that the only concrete floors that need cleaning are the ones inside. The truth is, though, whether it be concrete sidewalks, concrete garage floors or concrete driveways, all of these areas need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Driveways should be cleaned at least twice a season, while garage floors should be cleaned at least once a month. And if possible, concrete sidewalks should be cleaned at least once a week.

5) Clean Stains As Soon As Possible

If you spill something on the concrete, you will want to clean it up as quickly as possible before it sets into the concrete and stains it. If spills and stains absorb into the concrete, it can lead to decay and you want to avoid this.

6) Always Dry Mop the Wet Floor Cleaner

You don’t ever want your cleaning agent to become dry on the concrete floors. Instead, you want to clean the floors and dry mop them before the cleaning agent dries. If the cleaning agent dries on the floor, it can lead to cracks and decay.

The Takeaway

Regardless of the concrete project,, you will want to take advantage of commercial concrete installation. Concrete companies that have prior experience in pouring concrete and can make sure the job is done right the first time around as well as provide you with lots of helpful tips for extending the life of your concrete floors.