Whether you use concrete or asphalt for your driveway or parking areas, there's no simple answer for what thickness is best. The correct answer depends on the weight it will bear, the kind of traffic it will see, the soil conditions, and the subbase of your project.

Think of the surface of your driveway or parking area as the roof of your house. If your foundation is crumbling, the whole house - including the roof - is going to shift. Likewise, if a wall collapses, the roof over that wall is going to sag. Like the roof of your house, the surface of your parking lot or driveway exists to drain off water, snow, dirt and other materials. It protects what is underneath it.

Just like your home props up your roof, your subbase is critically important in the longevity of your driveway and parking area. It must be smooth, level and free of all vegetation. The last thing you want is dandelions growing through the cracks in your driveway!

When comparing construction materials, it’s tempting to rule out the higher-priced item to meet budget needs and go for the lower cost item. But when it comes to choosing concrete for your parking lot, “good investment” is a better phrase than “most expensive”. 

Concrete is extremely durable and can last twice as long as asphalt. It’s also more comparable in price to asphalt than it used to be. Even if you understand that concrete is a better long-term investment, you still need to know how much it costs. Let’s break it down. 

Parking lot design shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s the first and the last thing your building’s visitors see. While it might not seem like there are a lot of options when it comes to your concrete parking lot design, there are a lot of considerations before you start pouring the concrete. 

The benefits of a concrete parking lot

Considering a concrete parking lot for your business? You’re making the right move!  Concrete is durable, long-lasting, requires very little maintenance and is a smart investment for your business. It looks pretty good, too! Let's dig a little deeper into the benefits a concrete parking lot can bring to your business. 

Taking care of your concrete will help it last longer and let you get the most out of your investment. The first year requires some effort, but it gets easier with each passing year.

Concrete is the most durable product you can use for the paving of parking lots, driveways, roadways, bridges and more. But all concrete cracks. To minimize large cracks, proper installation and maintenance play a huge part in the lifespan of your concrete driveway or parking area.

There's simply no comparison: Concrete lasts nearly twice as long as asphalt, making it a wise, long-term investment. The additional up-front costs of the concrete material itself and preparing the ground underneath the concrete can make a significant difference in the longevity of the material and the full life cycle cost comparison between concrete and asphalt.

There's a reason that concrete is the world's most widely used and most recycled construction material. A concrete surface can last twice as long as asphalt. That durability advantage means less maintenance, fewer repairs, and an end to the expensive reconstruction cycle. For a better, long-term investment, concrete is the easy choice.

Most people understand that two different materials will have different costs, but what about the time it takes to get the work done using each of those materials? For a business or resident who is impacted by the length of time it takes to rebuild a pavement, the duration of the project has an indirect cost to them. And that cost should be taken into account when deciding what type of material to use.

Concrete is an excellent choice for an attractive, durable, and low-maintenance choice for your parking area. Two factors account for a quality product that will last: what's under the concrete and the weather conditions when it is poured.