As an entrepreneur or a commercial property manager, you have to ensure that every system and structure in your property is in good working order. The safety and order of your customers, employees, and tenants should be a priority.
In addition to the actual building itself, you should be mindful of the pavements in and around your property. This includes driveways, sidewalks, turnarounds, and parking lots. Failure to maintain either of these pavements might turn off potential customers or tenants.
Suppose you’re planning about new pavement construction for your expanding business or might just need repairs or improvement for your old asphalt driveways. In that case, a commercial paving contractor can do the paving services for you.
Why Hire Commercial paving contractors
The class of material you use for your structure is part of your investment, especially if you own a commercial property. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the best pavement material for your paving project. You can consult a commercial paving company to assist you in picking the best one for you.
Concrete and asphalt are the most popular and durable paving materials that commercial paving contractors generally utilize. Several pavement options are available based on variables such as quality, cost, upkeep, and durability. Let’s look at some of the most common commercial pavement materials.
Best Commercial Paving Materials
The class of material you use for your structure is part of your investment, especially if you own a commercial property. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the best pavement material for your paving project. You can consult a commercial paving company to assist you in picking the best one for you.
Concrete and asphalt are the most popular and durable paving materials that commercial paving contractors generally utilize. Several pavement options are available based on variables such as quality, cost, upkeep, and durability. Let’s look at some of the most common commercial pavement materials.
Asphalt
Asphalt paving is one of the most popular, reliable, and best options available to you when you need repairs on the surface of your parking lots or driveways. It is usually made from crushed minerals such as gravel, rock, and sand. These crushed elements are held together using a sticky binder, tar, or bitumen.
When it comes to pricing, the cost of asphalt paving services can vary depending on your location or site and the type of project you’re working on. Taking care of it regularly might save you money in the long run.
Pros
- Asphalt paving is low-cost to maintain.
- It is ideal for places with frigid temperatures. And it can also withstand a range of weather conditions and temperatures.
- This smooth paving material doesn’t generate much noise against tires or steps. This is perfect for businesses that require a quiet environment.
- Asphalt installation is a quick process. Ideally, you should be able to walk and drive on a new asphalt pavement within two days after it’s completed.
- Asphalt paving typically lasts up to 15-20 years. However, numerous factors, such as traffic and the environment, can shorten its longevity.
Cons
- Asphalt can handle most vehicles, although excessive loads can cause chipping and cracking.
- Standing water can gradually soak through the asphalt, causing cracks, displacement, and softening.
- Asphalt paving absorbs heat, making parking lots and driveways even hotter. It is more prone to damage such as softening, sloughing and pitting. It also deforms quickly under extreme heat and severe loads.
- Oil leaks from cars can cause damage to asphalt pavements. Excessive oil cannot penetrate under the asphalt, so it just flows on the surface and messes up the top layers of the paving.
- New asphalt can sink or shift at any time due to the unpredictable forces of nature. It would result in unevenness or cracking.
Concrete
Concrete is another long-lasting and dependable commercial paving option. It’s made by mixing cement, sand, and small rocks. Aside from its use in paving projects, it’s also commonly utilized in the construction of commercial buildings because of the material’s high efficiency.
Many commercial businesses prefer concrete because it is more aesthetically appealing than other pavement materials. It can be personalized with various patterns, colors, stampings, and designs.
Paving contractors recommended this to business owners because of its ability to enhance the quality of their business facilities and pavements, such as the company’s parking lot. It’s also an ideal material to use in drainage systems and house repairs or construction.
Pros
- This material has a very high level of durability.
- It can be modeled depending on your desired shape or design.
- It can tolerate heavy loads.
- It features outstanding wind and water resistance.
- It has a much lower maintenance cost.
- Concrete elements are widely available in most regions.
- It can endure extreme heat and cold.
However, just like other commercial paving materials, concrete deteriorates over time. To maintain the stability and aesthetics of your commercial paving, it’s best to conduct periodic inspections on a regular basis.
Cons
- During the winter months, freeze-thaw cycles can create spalling or pitting. It happens when water enters the pores, freezes, and expands. Moisture can swell and cause pressure, which can result in spalling.
- Crazing is frequently caused by an incorrect mixing of elements during the installation procedure. Resurfacing the concrete is the only way to hide crazing on your pavement.
- Cracking usually starts on the surface before it gets to the bottom of the slab. Filling small gaps with concrete filler is a simple way to repair them. Sealcoating material may be a good option for patching and strengthening the repaired area.
- Concrete can get discolored due to car fluids’ poor installation procedures and stains. The appearance of the pavement can be restored by scrubbing it with a diluted vinegar solution.
Permeable Plastic Pavers
Plastic pavers are quickly becoming the go-to paving solution for commercial structures. They’re made from 100% recycled plastic, filled with either grass or gravel. And they’re shaped into a grid of cells linked with each other. From rainstorms to snowstorms, plastic pavers are the way to go! This modern paving system is as durable as conventional paving materials like concrete. And it can resolve issues like drainage, which is relatively common due to bad weather. Aside from that, new variations like permeable plastic pavers provide a solution for regulating stormwater, reducing flooding risks, or decreasing runoffs. Also, you can consider it eco-friendly as it can absorb and retain water in many paving applications such as parking lots or driveways.
What Can Permeable Plastic Pavers Really Do?
In case you weren’t aware of this contemporary paving choice, here’s what permeable pavers offer, plus how they can benefit your properties:
- Fast installation time
- They come with built-in drainage.
- Requires little to no maintenance throughout their lifetime
- Strong against weather damage, cracking, or chipping.
- Versatile
- Ideal for erosion control
How to Improve the Sustainability of Paving Materials?
Proven Tips to Try!
On the topic of paving materials, you may wonder, as a business owner, how can you protect your pavement? Begin by planning and creating a pavement management program as a preventive measure.
Here are a few tips on how you can improve the sustainability of your properties:
Clean Regularly
As regular maintenance, cleaning your paving materials keep your properties looking their best. It’s best to use a powerful hose spray or stiff broom for snow removal and in sweeping away all dust, dirt, and debris. This way, you’ll be able to keep future stains and other damage to a minimum.
Aside from that, cleaning will also help you spot cracks and other damages that need immediate repair.
Repair Cracks and Holes
Avoid wasting your investment and replacing damaged floors by being proactive. That’s why try to repair minor cracks and holes immediately. So, ensure to add this as a part of your routine maintenance. After all, it’s better to handle these issues and save money early on.
You can fix most of these smaller damages by sealing them. When doing so, remember to check the best sealer material for the project. And most experts recommend practicing annual sealing for regular upkeep.
Meanwhile, you might need the help of a contractor if the damage you’re handling is extensive.
Treat your Paving with Care
Never use hard or heavy materials on the paving materials as this might leave dents. Aside from that, be careful in using tools with metal blades since they may scratch the surface.
Remove Stains Immediately
As soon as you see a smudge or two on the paving materials, clean them. You can remove most minor stains with regular soap and water. But for more stubborn stains, you can use a pressure washer instead. It’s powerful and does the job right!
Tips to find the best commercial paving contractors near you.
- Beware of low bids: Never choose an estimate that is far less than others. It is frequently an indicator of poor quality work.
- Compare warranties: Commercial paving warranties can last anywhere from one to ten years. When comparing commercial paving contractors, always make sure to read the black and white of the warranty.
- Get everything in writing: Make a written record of all financial information, such as the down payment, payment plan, labor, materials, project phases, total project cost, and warranty. If a down payment is required, be sure not to pay more than 50% of the project’s cost upfront.
Conclusion
Improving your business structures will increase your chances of gaining new tenants or clients. Investing in the commercial pavement is a great approach to begin improving the curb appeal of your commercial property.
Now that you have an idea about different types of paving materials and their pros and cons, it’s easier to convince yourself to invest in a commercial paving project.
However, if you’re still thinking twice, Waters Paving will help you answer all your questions in mind. Click here, and get a free quote today!