Commercial Parking Lot Concrete Services

Let's just say there's a reason we're concrete contractors and not asphalt contractors. Although its true that the majority of parking lots--approximately 90%--are asphalt, there are many great reasons to go with concrete parking lots, including long-term costs. 

While it is true that the initial cost of istalling asphalt is less than that of concrete, asphalt costs are rising and narrowing the gap. However, due to its longer life span and lower maintenance needs, concrete's life-cycle costs are actually lower than asphalt in the long run. 

Where should we even start?

1. Concrete maintenance costs are next to none - you'll have to take care of some joint sealing and an annual cleaning, but that's about it. Asphalt, on the other hand, needs to be coated with liquid asphalt every few years and completely resurfaced once every decade. 

2. Better lighting = better safety - Because concrete surfaces are much lighter colored, you won't need as many lighting fixtures in your parking area, making it safer for everyone.

3. Lower building cooling costs -  The lighter color of the concrete also means it won't get as blazing hot during those SoCal summers as asphalt will. This may not seem like a huge deal, but due to what is called the heat-island effect, adjacent buildings actually benefit from this characteristic. The difference can be seen in the electric bill!

4. Greater load-bearing capacity - Asphalt tends to rut or develop potholes when it has to endure heavy loads for a long period of time. Due to its stronger capabilities, a 5-inch thick slab of concrete can handle the same load as 8-inch thick asphalt pavement.

5. It comes in more colors! - When's the last time you saw asphalt in a color other than, well...black? (Or grey when it starts to get old.) Concrete can be colored or even textured to match the aesthetic you're looking for.

6. Better for the environment - Runoff from asphalt is higher toxicity than concrete. Beyond this, the very contents of concrete can come from various recycled materials.

We love it when our customers ask maintenance questions, because it means they're going to take good care of their investment. We've got plenty of tips on this.

1. Give new concrete some time - If you get a new concrete parking lot installed during the summer, it's best to keep all traffic off of it for at least 3 days. During the winter time, it should be more like 7 days. Any truck traffic should be keps away for even longer. Feel free to contact us to discuss your exact case.

2. Seal it when needed - In Irvine, aesthetic really matters. To keep your concrete looking its best and to minimize any staining, sealers are helpful. But it should be one that allwos vapor to escape from within the concrete.

3. Stain removal - Any stains on the concrete should be removed on a regular basis.