When it comes to parking lots, asphalt and concrete can both be used to create a suitable surface to park cars on? There is, however, a reason why most parking lots are made of asphalt. That reason is mainly due to the fact that asphalt is cheaper. It is far easier to have a sealcoat contractor in Minnesota come in to apply a fresh sealcoat

when the lot starts showing its age. Concrete can last longer in many cases, but when it starts deteriorating, it will cost more to replace. The good news is that a commercial paving contractor should be able to do both, depending on what your desired end product is and what you’re willing to spend.

Most commercial paving contractors will recommend going for the traditional asphalt parking lot with concrete sidewalks and curbs. Though you can have concrete curbs with asphalt walkways, that still accomplishes the clear delineation of where cars and people should be and the curbs still act as a safety/drainage mechanism. There are things that asphalt can’t be used for such as any kind of structural or foundational building structure. A commercial paving contractor would never build a loading dock out of asphalt. These types of structures need to be concrete due to the strength and stability it provides, whereas asphalt can still move or “flow” especially when it gets warm. Concrete certainly has far more “flexibility” in how it is used seeing that it can be used in both vertical and horizontal applications. Proper concrete repair will maintain the structural stability of a concrete structure. Asphalt can only be used in horizontal applications like parking lots and roads.

In conclusion, both of these building materials have their uses and some of those do overlap. When they do, talk to your commercial paving contractor about the pros and cons of both, as well as the cost.