PRODUCTS 29
ADVANTAGES OF CONCRETE PARKING AREAS Concrete offers several major advan-
areas – particularly those with brushed
reduce run-off, which is now increasingly
tages when it comes to the construc-
finishes – are more skid-resistant and
enforced through legislation overseas.
tion of parking areas, including lower
allow for easy installation of “rumble
And, to add to the sustainability point of
maintenance costs, reduced lighting
strips”. Concrete pavements do not
view, the concrete mix used for parking
requirements and longer life than tra-
rut or develop potholes when carrying
lots can include recycled materials such
ditional construction methods.
heavy loads.
as slag, fly ash and recycled concrete.”
Studies in the USA have shown
According to Bryan Perrie of The
that over a t y pical 20-year lif e of
Concrete Institute, a global authority
Better aesthetics
a p ar k ing ar ea, concr e te r equir ed
on concrete industrial surfaces on the
The practical considerations of laying
very little maintenance expense, while
ground, maintenance costs of concrete
the parking area also favour concrete:
maintenance for an asphalt lot ended
parking areas are minimal, with only
concrete pavements are built in
up costing as much as 80% of the initial
some joint sealing and cleaning usually
one layer, usually on a sub-grade of
construction outlay. On a Florida, USA,
required annually.
compacted earth. Asphalt pavements,
project, an asphalt parking lot ultimately cost twice as much after 20 years than a similar concrete facility. Lighting of the parking areas can also be reduced through the use of light-coloured concrete surfaces. It has been estimated that three out of 10 light fixtures can be eliminated without losing the level of lighting in a parking
“Maintenance for an asphalt lot ended up costing as much as 80% of the initial construction outlay.”
on the other hand, require an additional gravel or crushed stone base. T hen there is the question of appearance. The selection of concrete to p a v e a p ar k ing ar ea o f f er s the designer unlimited choices of texture, pattern and colour for aesthetic appeal, and the parking areas can be blended with adjacent greenbelts or equipped
lot when using light concrete surfaces.
“Asphalt parking surfaces, on the
With crime a constant problem in our
other hand, need to be treated every
“Large parking areas can be made
country, lighter concrete parking lots
few years and totally resurfaced at least
mor e in ter esting thr ough the use
create safer storage of cars, while
every 10 years. Such maintenance work
of colour, which can also be used to
reducing energy costs.
can be very disruptive to the operations
identify specific parking areas for buses,
of a commercial shopping complex or
trucks and visitors’ vehicles, as well as
office block,” he says.
directional signs for pedestrians. Parking
Concrete advantages
with water features.
Lighter-coloured concrete also lowers
“ T h e e n v i r o nm e n t a l a sp e c t s o f
areas are more than just surfaces for
temperatures in parking areas during
concrete parking lots also shouldn’t be
cars: they serve as attractive welcome
hot South African summers and, by
overlooked. The run-off’s low in toxicity
mats for offices, sports stadia, airports,
eliminating the “heat island effect”, can
and cooler than from asphalt surfaces.
shopping centres, etc and demonstrate
even lower cooling costs for adjacent
M o r e o v e r, p e r m e a b l e i n t e r l o c k i n g
quality to visitors – even before they walk
buildings. In addition, concrete parking
c oncr e t e p a v emen t s sub s t an tiall y
through the front door,” says Perrie.
PRECAST | ISSUE ONE | 2020
