There are about 50 million parking spaces spread out across the US. Each one of these needs a fresh coat of paint every one to two years to give it new life.
Is your parking lot starting to look dull? Having parking lot striping done will keep your business looking well-kept and welcoming.
New to striping? Keep reading for a complete guide. We’ll explain what’s involved, costs, and paint options.
New Striping
If you have a new parking lot, you need an experienced professional to design a parking lot striping design. They will look at the level of traffic, how to maximize volume and finally, state and federal regulations.
Prepare for new striping to take some time. Once you approve the design, the stripers can get to work.
The parking lot design will get laid out through careful measurement. Then the striping will be painted out following the measured out makings.
Restriping
Having parking lot striping done isn’t a one and done kind of thing. Over time the striping gets dirty and fades. This creates a dangerous situation in your parking lot.
The heavier the traffic and more severe the weather the faster your striping will age. Plan to have restriping done every year to two years.
It’s Not Just the Parking Stalls
You will need to get painted than just the parking stall lines. The handicap stalls will need to have the double line with the handicap symbol in the box in the middle of the stall.
You will also need the directional arrows, stop bars, and crosswalks painted. These markings help direct traffic and maintain order.
What Happens If You Don’t Restripe
Have you ever gone to a business and you pull into the parking lot and there are no lines? How do you know where to park?
You immediately judge the business for their lack of care for the parking lot. You then have to be on extra alert hoping that there is no one else in the parking lot not paying attention.
Then there are the ADA mandated markings. When these fade to no longer visible the business responsible could face citations and heavy fines.
What to Look For
Hiring the wrong company to do your parking lot striping could result in a less than satisfactory job. Your lines won’t look good and won’t last.
Experience
Ask potential companies what kind of experience they have. If the company is new ask about the experience of the person doing the striping.
Find out if the company can give you examples of their work either in a portfolio or other local businesses.
Warranty
Any reputable company will offer a warranty for their work. If they aren’t willing to stand behind their work why should you trust them to do good work?
Licensing
Only hire companies that are licensed and insured. This is the only way to be sure that your business is protected while they work on your parking lot.
Cost
Cost shouldn’t be the only deciding factor on which company you choose. But we would be lying if we said you shouldn’t consider it at all.
We are all professionals with a business to run, so of course, the bottom line is important. Ask any company you speak to for a written estimate for the work they will perform.
Cost Minimums
Keep in mind that if your parking lot is on the smaller side, you may be subject to a minimum charge. This minimum charge is to cover the cost of bringing out all of the crew and equipment.
Those parking lots that have 30 to 50 spaces or less are considered small. Expect the minimum to be anywhere from $300 to $500 for a basic stripe repaint job. A new stripe paint job minimum will be anywhere from $500 to $700.
The Paint
Cheap and low-quality paint is going to wear off fast. Ask your painting restriper what kind of paint they use.
If you want your striping to be as visible as possible, then ask for paint that has reflective beads. If your business is open mainly at night, this is a smart idea.
Colors
There are a few rules when it comes to the colors you use. White is safe as a general all over color.
It is most commonly used for parking stalls and directional markings. But if you don’t want to use white, then yellow is a good alternative.
Blue is always for handicap markings. While red signifies a fire lane.
If you want a custom color for your parking stalls, then check to make sure it complies with regulations. Also, keep in mind that a custom color will be more expensive.
Paint Types
The most common type of paint used is water based. It’s easy to work with, easy to clean, and produces fewer fumes.
Chlorinated rubber is more expensive but also provides more durability. It also performs better in cold temperatures.
Thermal plastic paints are typically used on highways. It’s that super thick raised paint. It is the most expensive paint but will give the most durability.
This paint contains plastic and is not typically used for parking lots. It requires heating so that it will melt and then applied. You can’t seal coat over it either.
The final type of paint you will see is oil based paint. It’s banned in many places though due to environmental concerns.
Plan Your Parking Lot Striping
With a little planning, you can keep your parking lot striping look fresh and bright. This will give your business curb appeal and make a positive first impression on your customers.
It will also keep them safe as they navigate the parking lot. By maintaining bright parking lot striping, everyone knows where the parking spaces are.
Get in touch today and let our paving experts help you plan your next paving project.
