Concrete is a very popular choice for parking lots and roadways, especially in areas with mild winters and hot summers. Thus, the local weather is just one of several excellent reasons to install a Houston concrete parking lot. If you are considering concrete for your next parking lot, you may be wondering how thick the concrete should be. The answer to that will depend on the soil at your site, the design of your pavement, and the expected loads that your parking lot will support.

How Does the Soil Affect the Thickness of a Houston Concrete Parking Lot?

Because concrete is a slurry, it can conform to the contours of the terrain. Therefore, although concrete companies often install granular bases when constructing roadways, this step is not always necessary for concrete parking lots. However, the a certain level of grading and compaction is necessary for a high-quality concrete installation. As every experienced Houston concrete company knows, the soil in the area varies widely. If the soil cannot be properly graded and compacted, the contractor may need to account for this issue when designing the pavement.

How Does the Design Affect the Thickness of a Houston Concrete Parking Lot?

In recent years, the concrete industry has revised the standards for designing parking lots. Extensive research has made it clear that there are some important differences between concrete parking lots and highways. One result is that the specifications for subbases have been reduced or eliminated. When designing a parking lot, concrete contractors must consider whether a subbase will be needed before ultimately choosing the correct concrete thickness.

Based on Expected Loading, What Is the Correct Thickness for Parking Lots?

Not too many years ago, some concrete contractors ignored the expected loading when designing parking lots. They tended to use the same thickness for all parking lots, and some concrete companies even used the same thickness for parking lots, city streets, and busy highways. Today, a Houston concrete company will pay special attention to how you will use your parking lot.

1. If your parking lot will see only light use, your contractor may recommend a concrete thickness of four inches.
2. Six inches is the typical concrete thickness for most commercial parking lots that are used primarily by passenger vehicles.
3. Seven inches of concrete is a common thickness for parking lots that serve vehicles of significantly different weights.
4. Around loading docks, scales, and other high-traffic areas that will frequently be used by large, heavyweight trucks, the concrete thickness could be as much as 12 inches.
5. The concrete thickness may not always be uniform throughout the parking lot. For example, if you create a travel path for trucks to follow to access your loading dock or dumpsters, your contractor may recommend increasing the slab thickness along that path.

Marathon Solutions offers of concrete and asphalt paving services to clients in the greater Houston area and parts of Oklahoma. Our services include concrete repair, concrete installation, concrete ADA, concrete parking lots, concrete sidewalks, concrete ramps, concrete curbs, thermoplastic markings, parking lot striping, traffic signs, marking removal, and bollard installation. We also offer asphalt paving, parking lot restriping, asphalt crack repair, pavement repair, asphalt milling, asphalt resurfacing, asphalt sealcoating, and parking lot maintenance plans. We have a sterling reputation for exceptionally high-quality workmanship and exemplary customer service. If you would like to receive a free job quote, use the online form to submit your request. If you prefer, you can email Sales@Marathon-Solutions.com, or you can call our office at 800-879-1147.