Key Takeaways:
- Commercial property owners should consider striping their parking lot to ensure the safety of their patrons and employees.
- Using colored striping can help improve customer flow and aesthetics and provide designated parking areas.
- Yellow is the most commonly used color for parking lot striping and typically indicates accessible parking spots, loading zones, fire lanes, or no-parking areas.
- White is often used in parking lots to separate opposing traffic lanes or mark crosswalks, handicap ramps, or drive lanes.
- Blue usually designates accessible parking spots that must be reserved for those with special needs who have an authorized permit or license plate allowing them to do so.
- Green may be used to mark out spaces for electric vehicle charging (for hybrid vehicles or alternative-fuel cars)
If you own a commercial property, parking lot striping is essential. From helping with customer flow to creating designated car areas, properly striped lanes can be highly beneficial to any business operation.
Customer convenience should be your top priority while working on striping. Not only does striping need to make your commercial lot aesthetically pleasing, but it should also streamline parking. One way to do it is by using colored striping. It can improve property aesthetics and help drivers know where to park and where not.
Atkins Paving dives into what different color striping means and how it can be used. Keep reading to get the scoop on this crucial parking-lot knowledge!
Parking Lot Striping Colors: What Do They Mean?
While you may have many colors to choose from when striping your parking lot, it’s beneficial to know that each color conveys a different message. Below are some popular shades and what they typically communicate.
1. Yellow
Yellow is the most commonly used color for striping since it’s easy to see and provides a clear visual separation of spaces. This shade often indicates accessible parking spots, loading zones, fire lanes, and no-parking areas. You can use the color line striping to guide drivers and pedestrians so they can navigate the site more safely.
2. White
The most common areas with white striping are crosswalks, handicap ramps, and designated drive lanes. It’s also used to separate opposing traffic lanes so drivers can quickly identify one from the other. This color is popular for its unique look, stripes well, and remains visible even in adverse weather conditions.
3. Blue
Blue is often used to mark accessible parking spots as designated areas for those with special needs when they park their vehicles. It helps ensure others know only to take these spaces if they have an authorized permit or license plate that allows them to do so.
ADA Compliance is required for all public parking lots, so any open facility must have designated blue-striped parking areas. Ensure that other criteria of ADA parking spaces are also met to make the property accessible for disabled individuals,
4. Green
Green is used to marking out spaces for electric vehicle charging. Depending on the location, this may include hybrid vehicles or alternative-fuel cars. It allows these drivers to park in designated areas for convenient access to power outlets and helps to promote green transportation initiatives.
5. Red
Red is often used to mark fire lanes, no-parking zones, or areas that are not accessible for any reason. It serves as a barrier between pedestrians and vehicles and an alert system to signify that certain parking lot sections should be avoided.
How to Prepare Your Commercial Lot For Striping:
Before starting parking lot striping, there are several steps you need to take to prepare your parking lot properly.
1. Plan the Parking Lot Layout
Before marking the parking lot, you must plan how your lot will be laid out. You should consider factors like traffic flow and the size of vehicles that need to be accommodated for optimal efficiency. Involve a professional contractor to get a more efficient parking lot layout design.
2. Repair or Replace Damaged Areas
Any cracked or damaged areas must be filled and repaired before striping the lot. It will ensure the paint adheres correctly and won’t chip off due to asphalt deterioration.
3. Clean Up Debris
Make sure all debris, such as dirt, sand, leaves, and other organic material, are cleared from the surface of the parking area before striping. It will keep them from messing with the adhesive properties of the paint.
4. Mark the Stripes
It is when you will want to mark the lines with chalk or tape. Depending on your current needs, you may need straight lines or curved ones and various lengths and widths of stripes.
5. Paint the Lines
Once all the lines are marked, it’s time to start painting! Make sure to use good-quality paint made specifically for asphalt surfaces so that it will stick properly and last longer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application: spray or roller? Shake or stir paint? How thick should each line be? These are all essential considerations when painting parking lot stripes. Or get a professional contractor to do the job for you.
How To Make Parking Lot Striping Last?
Maintaining parking lot striping is essential to keep your business looking its best. Here are some easy tips on how to prolong the life of your asphalt parking lot stripes:
- Regularly sweep and clean the area around the striping. It will help prevent buildup that can cause fading or wear away at the paint over time.
- Immediately clean up any spills, stains, or oil spots on the lines to keep them looking fresh and new.
- Seal coat parking lots every three years to protect against weathering and preserve the surface from sun damage and oxidation.
- Be mindful of heavy vehicles driving over parking lot lines – they can disrupt or smudge freshly applied paint!
- Hire professional contractors to handle touch-ups and other maintenance needs regularly.
Related: Before the Parking Lot: 8 Items Your Business Should Consider
Conclusion
Parking lot color codes visually guide vehicles to the right spots and keep them safely organized. Different colors have specific meanings, and it’s essential to understand what they mean before painting your parking lot. Additionally, being mindful of routine maintenance will help preserve the look of your parking lot over time. With these tips, you can ensure your parking lot looks great for years!
Ensure Parking Lot Striping is Up-to-Code with Atkins Paving in Lancaster, SC
At Atkins Paving, located in Lancaster, SC, we have the expertise and experience to handle all your parking lot needs, from striping to seal coating. Our team provides quality services to meet your requirements and ensure the job is done correctly. We can provide the required services if you need help with a new parking lot or an upgrade.
Contact us today to receive a free quotation for your parking lot project.
