Are you planning on paving a commercial parking lot? If so, you are probably wondering if you should choose concrete or asphalt as the paving material. Though the cost of the material is one major deciding factor, there are a couple of other things you should consider as well.  

For those who don’t know, both concrete and asphalt are made of stone aggregate and sand. However, the differences start with what binds the mixture together.  

Usually, asphalt contains bitumen or tar to bind the materials. On the other hand, concrete utilizes cement to bind stone and sand.  

Today, we’re going to talk about the biggest differences between asphalt and concrete. This includes sealcoating, design and appearance, and much more.  

Appearance and Design 

When guests come to your building, one of the things they see is your parking lot. Your parking lot’s design and aesthetic can complement the rest of your property. With its dark colors, asphalt creates a striking visual contrast when installed next to light-colored commercial structures. 

Concrete may be stamped, colored, and stained in a range of hues and tones, giving it more creative options. 

Durability 

Durability is important since you want to be sure you’re using a material that will last for many years. Installation, environment, and routine maintenance all play a part in the longevity of your parking lot. Under the correct conditions and with proper maintenance, concrete often lasts longer than asphalt. 

Maintenance 

Concrete and asphalt, like any other construction or building material, are prone to damage over time. Maintaining and preventing damage to your parking lot ensures that it looks good and lasts a long time. 

Every few years, asphalt parking lots should be resurfaced, and concrete parking lots must be resealed. While asphalt is more vulnerable to damage than concrete, it is usually easier to repair. Concrete lasts a lot longer between resealing, but its light tint displays stains from oil and other accidents, necessitating more thorough cleaning to keep it looking good. 

Installation 

Installation time could be a major deciding factor based on how fast you need to begin using your parking lot. Asphalt can be put and cured faster than concrete, and it can normally be used in a matter of days. It can take even longer to install concrete, and it must cure for at least a week before it can be utilized. 

The length of time it takes to install something depends on the time of year. 

Climate 

One of the first things to consider when selecting a pavement material for your parking lot is the environment in which it will be used. Although both materials can be utilized wherever in the end, they will certainly require more upkeep in various climates. 

Asphalt, for example, gets hot and sticky in hot climates because of its dark color, which absorbs a lot of heat. Concrete may crack more easily in cold temperatures due to freeze-thaw cycles and the salt used to melt ice and snow, both of which can deteriorate concrete. 

If you’re planning to put your caravan into a self-storage, you will have to do some preventable measures to make sure that you will prevent it from being damaged and eventually turn into expensive repairs. Though they can possibly consume some time to do it now, such measures can definitely make your life a bit easier once you get to utilize your caravan again—regardless if you use it in a couple of weeks, months, or even years. Here are some of the tips to prep your caravan for storage: 

Pay attention to your water system 

If you are getting your caravan ready for self-storage, there are actually a lot of parts of the water system that must be seen for you to aid minimize maintenance issues in the future. Eliminate any water from within your water system, flush and empty out the waste tank of your toilet, plug any sink, and drain the water heater. When you plan to store your caravan during the winter season, removing the water filters may be a great idea to prevent any water residue from causing damage, expanding, and freezing.? 

Inspect your seals 

Before you store your caravan, it would be ideal to give the window and door seals a brief inspection to notice if they are all intact. Once you can observe any issues, then make sure to change the seals if needed to aid stop unsolicited pests from getting inside the caravan and also to avoid leaks. 

Switch off the gas 

As you prepare for storage, guarantee to switch off any glass cylinders linked to your caravan and make sure they are disconnected. After that, keep them somewhere ventilated and cool. Anything combustible or flammable must never be stored in storage units. Hence, it would be a wise idea to just take the gas cylinder at a friend’s place or at home.? 

Take out the batteries 

Before you store your caravan, make sure to take out all the unwanted batteries to avoid battery depletion and prevent corrosion. Remove the main battery and put it in a dry and cool place. Moreover, take out any batteries you can find from small pieces of equipment all over the caravan.? 

Thoroughly clean your caravan 

Similar to any normal vehicle, it would be a wise decision to make sure that your caravan is as tidy as it can be—both outside and inside—before placing it into a self-storage. There are a lot of reasons why exterior and interior cleaning is suggested. One is that it can help your paintwork and upholstery to keep from long-term damage. Moreover, it’s known to be effective in minimizing the possibilities of experiencing pest issue while it’s kept in the storage. Hence, it’s essential to provide the interior a good wipe on any surface, vacuum it thoroughly, wash the caravan’s body, and clean the awning.? ? 

These are only some of the many tips that must be done to successfully move your caravan into an?affordable RV storage Denver.