Parking Lot Construction: The Ultimate Guide

Parking lots are an important part of any business premises, and they should not be neglected.

At RGC Construction, we understand the significance of parking lot construction for setting the tone of any business, which is why we go out of our way to ensure that your space is efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and functional.

To help you learn more, we have created the ultimate guide to parking lot design and construction. Here, we’ll talk about everything from choosing the right materials to safety and construction.

Seven Steps to a Efficient Parking Area

A parking lot is often the first thing customers see when they interact with your business in person. Creating a good first impression with a professionally designed parking area can make a huge difference in securing the future of your company. Besides, your location…. having ample parking is a make-or-break type scenario for most businesses.

Here is our comprehensive guide to creating a great parking lot:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Material

This is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions you will make when designing your parking lot. Asphalt and concrete are two of the most popular options. Let’s take a closer look at each material to give you an idea of what to expect from each one.

Concrete:

If you’re looking for durability, then concrete is a great option to consider. This material is designed to provide more than three decades of use with proper care. In addition to being able to withstand heavy loads (think about delivery trucks), concrete can also be tailored to your desired aesthetic.

You can achieve a wide range of finishes, patterns, and colours with concrete, and it’s energy efficient, helping to reflect more light. This will keep the area cooler.

Asphalt:

Asphalt parking lots are popular because they are a more affordable alternative to concrete and are quick to install. This can be particularly beneficial for restoring the life of your parking space with minimal disruption to your business.

This material is also a good choice because it is a lot easier to fix than concrete. Apart from that, it also withstands various weather conditions and loads well. However, one of the main drawbacks is that asphalt requires much more maintenance than concrete.

You can still get roughly the same number of years of use, but you will have to seal your asphalt every two to three years and resurface it every eight or so years.

It also isn’t as customizable as concrete. That said, it can still be a sound choice for those looking for a quick solution.

Step 2: Think About the Size and Layout for Optimum Traffic Flow

It’s important to choose the size of your parking lot carefully. Look at your business and the number of customers you expect to receive to help you do this.

Moreover, when planning your parking lot, make sure you are factoring in pavements, landscaping, and other elements, creating a logical flow of traffic to maximize efficiency. It is also important to think about the spacing in-between vehicles…as NO ONE likes a cramped parking space.

Step 3: Make Sure Your Parking Lot Is Safe

During the planning phase, it’s critical that you ensure the safety of your patrons and employees. There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to safety. This includes the following:

Outdoor Lighting:

It’s important that there is adequate lighting for those early-morning deliveries or late-night shoppers. Make sure that walkways, entrances, and exits have adequate lighting.

Proper Signage:

You will also need to ensure that you have clear signage to warn people of hazards or relay rules and regulations that they should abide by to promote safety and the proper flow of traffic. Clearly mark exits & entrances, special parking spaces for employees and no park / loading zones.

Handicapped Parking:

Your parking lot needs a space for disabled customers to park by law. This should be located near the entrance and clearly marked, with the proper accessibility to doorways.

Step 4: Ensure Proper Drainage and Grading

Creating a parking lot involves more than just excavating and laying the chosen material. The longevity of your space will also depend on drainage and grading.

You should never have standing water in your parking area, as it can not only damage your concrete or asphalt but also cause safety concerns. Ideally, your space should have a slight gradient and include proper drainage.

Step 5: Prepare the Site

Once you have designed your parking space using the steps mentioned above, it’s time to start building it. To do this, you will need to work with a reliable construction contractor.

The process will begin with site preparation, which involves clearing dirt, debris, and vegetation. After that, the area will be graded and leveled. Additional measures may be necessary if there are any issues with the soil. Your parking lot contractor will guide you through this part of the process.

Step 6: Install the Concrete or Asphalt

The method used at this stage to build the parking lot depends on the type of material you have chosen. For concrete parking lots, contractors typically set up forms to define the area where the concrete will go.

They will then lay out reinforcing wire before pouring liquid concrete. It is then smoothed and leveled before texture is added to improve its slip resistance. Once complete, the concrete will be given time to dry.

When it comes to asphalt parking lots, you’ll need to add a layer of gravel for drainage. Then, the asphalt will be heated to the right temperature before being applied over the gravel. A special paving machine will then be used to smooth it out.

Step 7: Cure and Finish the Parking Lot

To ensure that your parking space will stand the test of time, curing and finishing is required. Once again, the method used here will depend on the type of material you choose.

Concrete generally requires moistening the surface as it hardens to prevent cracking. Both asphalt and concrete can be sealed once they are fully set to enhance their durability and longevity. Once everything is done with curing the foundation, you can begin to paint the final lines, and parking spaces.

Be Sure to Invest in Regular Maintenance

The truth is that your duty doesn’t end with constructing a parking lot. You will also need to maintain it regularly to ensure its longevity. As mentioned already, asphalt parking areas require regular sealing, asphalt or concrete repairs and refacing.

Even the most well-designed parking lot will require repairs at some point to address the effects of wear and tear. Be sure to conduct these occasional fixes as required.

Finally, one of the best ways to keep your parking space looking its best is to clean it regularly. Sweep it regularly to remove leaves, dirt, and debris. This will not only ensure the aesthetics of the area but will also prevent any moisture from being trapped in the debris, which can lead to degradation of the underlying material.

If you have any questions about maintaining a parking lot, be sure to contact us at RGC Construction.

Let RGC Construction Help with Your Next Parking Lot Project!

As a business owner, designing a parking lot is probably the last thing you want to do. The good news is that we are here to help you every step of the way with parking lot design and construction.

At RGC Construction, we understand the importance of building a parking space that has curb appeal and functionality. Our goal is to help you create a good first impression and minimize costs, and we aren’t afraid to go the extra mile to ensure safety and satisfaction.

When you partner with us for parking lot installation, you can rest assured that we will provide you with a solution that is durable, ensures efficient traffic flow, and meets your business’s needs.

We offer the following to help you reach your goals:

• RGC excavation services
• Parking lot design and construction
• Designing and implementing proper drainage

To learn more about our services, give us a call today at 519-326-3959!