Parking lots, whether we like it or not, are a big part of our lives. Whether it\’s in front of a grocery store, the dentist, or a hotel, parking lots will be the first form of interaction a business will have with its customer, so it\’s important that they are well maintained, orderly, and not too tight. Not all parking lots, however, are created equal, so here are seven considerations to keep in mind before painting parking lot areas.
1) Choose A Stencil
Parking lot stencils are used for making arrows, handicap parking, reserved parking, and no parking zones, among other symbols. Depending on the material the stencil is made of, there can be a difference in the quality of the design. Plastic and aluminum stencils are a good choice as they are strong and easy to clean and store, which comes in handy if you plan on using the stencil more than once. For example, stencils made of cardboard don\’t make as clean of an edge and may allow the paint to get underneath the design. You also might want to consider how thick you want the line striping and stencils to be, as this will determine the aesthetic and spacing of the parking lot. More information on stencils is available at Capitol Barricade.
2) Pick The Right Paint
The type of paint is probably the most critical part of the parking lot decision-making process. The first rule, and it\’s a pretty easy one to follow, is never, never, never use regular paint. It\’s a waste of time and money and will last about as long as it takes you to read this sentence. There\’s special water or solvent-based paint for asphalt and concrete respectively, but which one is better? That depends on where the parking lot is.
Solvent-based paints should not be used in parking garages or indoor-spaces because they can cause health problems. Because solvent-based paints are less environmentally friendly than their water-based counterparts, they are banned in many states. Water-based paints are less resilient against weathering and normal wear and tear, but they are also cheaper and dry faster. Whichever paint you chose, be sure that it\’s made specifically for asphalt or concert because there is a difference.
3) How Often Should Parking Lots Be Repainted?
The standard rule is to repaint every eighteen to twenty-four months. This is because weathering and normal wear and tear eventually chip away at the paint, making it look shabby and run down. Winters are an especially damaging time for parking lots. Snowplows damage the paint as they scrape away ice and snow, so this variable is dependent on location and climate. Remember, parking lots are the first thing a customer will see, so it\’s important that it\’s well-maintained. Remember, curb appeal is a major deciding factor when a customer chooses to either park his car or keep it moving.
4) Be Aware Of The Local Law
Before restriping, it\’s vital to check the local laws and regulations regarding which paints are allowed and how many accessible parking spaces are required, as the regulations vary from state to state. For example, according to ada.gov, \”Accessible parking spaces for cars have to have at least a sixty-inch-wide access aisle located adjacent to the designated parking space.\” Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in fines. Also, certain paints are banned in some states, so you should double-check local laws before purchasing supplies.
5) Have All The Supplies Ahead Of Time
Painting the parking lot yourself can end up saving you a lot of money, but not if you don\’t have all the necessary supplies. No parking means no shopping, so if you can\’t get the job done on time, that\’s more lost revenue out of your pocket. Here\’s a checklist of supplies you\’ll need to successfully paint a parking lot in one go:
· A sufficient amount of paint
· A roller or line stripper
· Stencils
· Grit
· Caution tape and cones
· Pylons
· Sealer
· Spray guns and tips
6) How Many Parking Spaces
It may come as a surprise that there is, depending on the type of building, a minimum number of parking spaces required. There need to be enough parking spots for employees and customers, and they must be painted to meet the area\’s municipal code. A standard parking space is, on average, eight to ten feet in width and eighteen to twenty feet in length, so the average parking lot fits anywhere from thirty to fifty spaces. Angled parking takes up less space and, therefore, allows more spots to be drawn into the parking lot, but it also creates one-way traffic. Although some find one-way parking annoying, most people enjoy the ease of parking as they don\’t require the driver to turn at a right angle.
7) How Much Does Repainting Cost?
On average, it typically costs about four-hundred and seventy-five dollars to paint a parking lot. The low end of that estimate is around three-hundred and the high end is seven-hundred. If it\’s the first time painting the parking lot, it\’s going to be on the higher end of the estimate, and the lower end if it just needs a quick repainting. Most painting companies don\’t charge by the square footage of the lot, but by how much paint they use in creating the lines and images, so the more parking spaces and stencils used, the higher the rates will be.
Conclusion
Unless you\’re in the business of painting parking lots, it\’s likely you\’ve never known about how much goes into painting a parking lot. Hopefully, this article has shed some light on all things that need to be considered before whipping out that paintbrush. The most important of these considerations is making sure the parking lot is up to code and adheres to local law. Although they can be tedious, these laws are in place to protect employees and customers from accidents and collisions and business owners from potential lawsuits. Remember, parking lots should be repainted every eighteen to twenty-four months and cost an average of four-hundred and seventy-five dollars. Good luck and happy painting!
