If you’re in the market for a commercial parking lot, it’s essential to understand the basics of commercial paving. There are many considerations when paving a commercial lot, from the design plans to the thickness of the asphalt and the type of subgrade. We’ll discuss it all in this blog post, so you can be sure you’re making the best decision for your business or organization!
Commercial parking lots and side roads are necessary for many businesses and complexes. Unlike residential driveways, commercial parking lots require specific knowledge and expertise! That’s why you need to hire a contractor with the knowledge and experience to do the job right!
ASPHALT PAVEMENT: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
A contractor must consider the traffic level, the soil (subgrade), and drainage issues when designing asphalt pavements.
Traffic Level Considerations
Your contractor will evaluate the paving project and consider which quality materials will work best for your individual needs. For site development of a new parking lot construction, the type of traffic that will park or drive on your lot is pertinent to the materials chosen for the job.
Some projects will require asphalt developed for heavy machinery. For example, “A loaded 5-axle tractor trailer imparts more than 1600 times more damage than a typical passenger car and more than 200 times greater than a large sport utility vehicle (SUV).” (1)
For a roadway and municipal parking lot with light vehicles parking there, your project is considered a Class 1 paving project. Your lot will need a different type of asphalt than a Class 4 interstate project with heavy truck traffic.
Subgrade Considerations
If the ground you want to place your asphalt on is always wet from rain, or if the soil particle size is not suitable for paving, your contractor will use calculations to determine what type of asphalt will work best for you.
A higher-quality soil can withstand more significant stress without breaking down. With lower-quality soil, your contractor may advise a thicker layer of asphalt to increase the life of your asphalt. After all, no one wants potholes or cracks appearing after only a few years of wear.
A commercial asphalt paving contractor will understand and evaluate the subgrade soil before developing a pavement design or starting to pave your lot.
Drainage Issues
When planning a commercial paving project, your contractor must consider the grade of the surface. Is there a slope that lets water run off the area? Or is the area susceptible to poor drainage?
With the new construction of a paved area, your contractor may need to grade the property so that there is a slope. In other cases, an experienced contractor will consider adding drainage throughout the lot.
PAVEMENT MATERIALS & THICKNESS
If you’re considering paving a commercial lot, make sure you understand the process and what factors matter the most!
Sometimes a contractor will need to add a subgrade material to help your parking lot withstand the heavy machinery they will use during the paving project.
If your soil is inferior, the aggregate base protects your pavement’s future quality and service life! (2)
Asphalt thickness should be at least 3″ above the base materials. When your contractor chooses the surface mixture, they will also consider the traffic volume and the surface smoothness. Some clients prefer the smooth blacktop, while others are more interested in how well the asphalt will hold up.
Whatever questions you have about asphalt, a commercial paving company with experience in the industry can answer your questions about your next project and advise you on the best materials for your investment.
COMMERCIAL PAVING COMPANY: ASPHALT PAVING SERVICES
At AMP Paving, we work designing and paving lots and roads, doing striping, thermoplastic striping, and meeting ADA signage requirements. We understand and adhere to parking lot requirements for your project’s locality.
And we understand your organization needs to stay busy and open. As asphalt professionals, we protect your time by working efficiently and keeping the entire process as smooth as possible.
Contact us today to find out more about commercial asphalt paving. We want to help you get started with a free quote, so get in touch today!