Should You Choose Asphalt or Concrete For Your Parking Lot?
When it comes to pavement options, you are likely faced with the choice of asphalt versus concrete. If you’re working on a project to improve your commercial property, you might be considering the pros and cons of each. Is asphalt or concrete your best option?
Considering Texture
Asphalt and concrete have two very different textures. Asphalt is smoother than concrete and tends to absorb sound, offering a quieter ride for vehicles. Concrete can be decorative, with differing textures making up unique designs, so if having a decorative parking lot is more important to you than noise levels, concrete is the way to go. If you prefer quiet simpleness, you should choose asphalt.
Predicting Repairs
When you compare the number of repairs needed for concrete versus asphalt, you’ll want to consider the amount of heavy traffic the parking lot will see. If you’re paving a lot that will see a lot of heavy traffic, concrete may require fewer repairs than asphalt over time. If your parking lot is in an isolated area with moderate traffic, asphalt holds up quite nicely.
Adding Coloration
If you plan to add colors to your parking lot, choose concrete. You can tint concrete with a variety of colors other than gray. Both concrete and asphalt allow you to add striping for parking spaces, crosswalks, and more. However, paint tends to last longer on concrete, so if you have several largely painted areas, concrete allows you to repaint them less frequently.
Planning Timing
One important consideration is the timing of your project. Asphalt just needs to be compacted with a roller, and it’s ready for use immediately. This makes asphalt the obvious choice for those on a tight schedule. Concrete has to cure for about a week after it is laid, so if time isn’t an issue and concrete checks all the boxes in other areas, it will be worth waiting for.
Contact Us for a Free Estimate
At NVM Paving & Concrete, we are experts in both asphalt and concrete. Call 703-423-0471 or email us today and find out which option is best for you.