What Should You Know About Parking Lot Striping? 5 best tips

Parking lot striping keeps vehicles where they should be, keeps your lot looking great, and improves the visitor and tenant experience. Good pavement striping is crucial if you want a great parking lot.

When it comes to parking lot striping, many people choose to do it themselves. But you can’t rely on guesswork when Parking Lot Stripingyour parking lot. Let’s take a look at why you should hire a professional asphalt contractor for new striping, DIY tips for striping, and how to prepare for a re-stripe.

Striping a Lot for the First Time?

It is recommended that you hire a professional contractor if you are Parking Lot Striping your parking lot for the first time. Though you can probably draw lines on the lot, parking lot striping is a complex process that involves a blend of engineering and math.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, you will probably end up with parking lines that cause traffic jams, poor lot layout, and — at worst — fender benders that you will be liable for. An experienced contractor can help you plan out your parking lot to maximize space and optimize traffic flow.

DIY Tips for Striping

Decide Your Layout: If you are Parking Lot Striping your parking lot, you must first decide on a layout. Even if you have a small lot, you will have to make many decisions about the layout. Consider the space and traffic while deciding on the type of parking stalls you want — such as straight or angled parking spots.

Follow ADA Standards: Make sure you comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The ADA standards vary depending on jurisdiction and state, so call your local jurisdiction to determine exactly what you need to do.

Choose Your Paint: You must also choose your paint. Parking lot striping paint can be either liquid or oil-based. Oil/solvent-based paints last longer, perform better in lower temperatures, and are more durable than water-based paints. However, they are more expensive, difficult to clean if you want to re-stripe the lot, and not good for the environment.

On the other hand, water-based paint is less expensive, good for the environment, and dries faster than oil-based paint. The only downsides are that it does not last as long and can freeze and chip in freezing temperatures. To decide which type of paint is most suitable for you, you must balance your needs and budget.

Prep the Surface: Your parking lot surface must be spotlessly clean to ensure that the paint adheres. You may also want to use a commercial pavement cleaner and wait until it is fully dry before striping.

Striping: For a professional-looking parking lot, only use high-quality stripping guides, stencils, and machines. All of the supplies you need for parking lot striping can be purchased at your local home depot. Apply two coats of stripes gently and carefully.

Striping promotes safety and organization in your parking lot, but it might be tricky to do on your own. So, if you don’t think you have the time or skills to do it yourself, you should hire a professional contractor.

Address

Commonwealth Paving, 136 Outerloop, Louisville, Kentucky 40214
Phone: 502-459-7283, Fax: 502-456-2678

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