Your commercial parking lot puts up with a lot. Not only must your lot endure the regular activity of vehicles and foot traffic – it’s also vulnerable to temperature changes, sunlight, moisture, and other environmental concerns. Keeping up with parking lot maintenance will help you mitigate the negative effects of these threats, but maintenance is costly and time-consuming. By investing in the most durable pavement solutions for your parking lot, you can greatly reduce the burden of parking lot maintenance and repairs over the long run. While asphalt remains the most common paving material for parking lots, paving slabs offer an alternative that, in some cases, might be more beneficial to your parking lot and business.
So, are industrial paving slabs the right choice for your commercial parking lot? Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this paving option.
What Are Paving Slabs?
Paving slabs (also called “pavers”) refer to individual pieces of paving material (e.g., concrete, clay, stone, brick, etc.) that are placed next to one another to cover a section of land, providing a hard, durable surface for vehicles and pedestrians. This approach differs from traditional asphalt or concrete paving in that the slabs are previously constructed, cut, and laid down rather than poured on a prepared stretch of earth. When applying paving slabs, a commercial paving contractor will measure the surface area in question, select and alter the slabs to fit inside the area, and determine how much space should be left in between slabs to allow for flexibility (these spaces are known as expansion joints).
Pros of Paving Slabs
Though less common than standard concrete or asphalt pavement, paving slabs come with several benefits, both aesthetic and functional. For starters, pavers offer a wide variety of visual options. These slabs can be cut into virtually any shape and size, and different materials and coatings yield different colorations. Compared to asphalt’s continuous black/gray tone, the design options afforded by paving slabs bring a unique flavor to any parking lot, driveway, or walkway.
Beyond these aesthetic advantages, paving slabs also offer superior durability when constructed from high-quality materials. The joints between slabs allow the entire surface to breathe, reducing the risk of cracks and other forms of damage. Paving slabs are also cost-effective and easy to install. Plus, should specific slabs wear down, they’re relatively easy to replace without overhauling the entire surface – in this way, commercial parking lot repair is less of a hassle when constructed from paving slabs.
Paving Slab Setbacks
Despite these aforementioned benefits, however, there are a few reasons why you won’t see paving slabs across most of the commercial parking lots you encounter – the same reasons why slabs are more common for residential paving projects than commercial paving jobs. While paving slabs are relatively cost-effective for smaller projects, this cost adds up as the surface area in question grows larger. One solution to this problem is installing larger, industrial-strength concrete slabs for commercial parking lots. As for appearances, while the look of your parking lot matters, the design varieties offered by residential paving slabs aren’t usually deemed necessary for commercial parking lots; what matters most is maintaining a lot that’s smooth and safe for vehicles and pedestrians.
The Verdict
So, are paving slabs right for your commercial parking lot? The answer depends on the size of your lot, your aesthetic goals, budget, and the type of slabs in which you’re investing. The smaller, designer pavers used for residential driveways and walkways aren’t a good fit for large industrial paving projects. That said, large, industrial concrete paving slabs are durable solutions for parking garages and parking lots alike. At Cassidy Paving, we offer a range of paving services for our residential and commercial clients across New England. Whether you’re considering asphalt, concrete, paving slabs, or another paving solution, we can help with installation, repairs, and maintenance.
Call us today at 866-978-9788 to receive a free estimate on your next paving project.
