A well-marked parking lot is an essential part of your commercial property’s curb appeal. Whether you are a retailer who wants to attract customers, an apartment complex manager attempting to attract and retain tenants, or a hotel manager who wants to provide a welcoming environment for your guests, you cannot underestimate the value of a safe, attractive parking lot. Unfortunately, pavement striping and marking do not last forever. If your parking lot markings are damaged or faded, you may be wondering whether it is possible to have your contractor stripe parking lots during the winter months.
Can You Stripe Parking Lots in the Winter?
Is It Possible to Stripe Houston Parking Lots in the Winter?
Because the Houston area typically has mild winters, many people assume that contractors can perform asphalt striping year-round. During an average winter, the weather conditions may be suitable for parking lot and road striping on certain days. However, there are several factors that a contractor must consider before deciding to apply painted pavement markings.
What Factors Should a Contractor Consider When Performing Asphalt Striping and Marking in the Winter?
One thing that your contractor will need to evaluate is the size of your parking lot. Obviously, it takes longer to stripe a parking lot for 10,000 cars than it does to stripe one that only holds 50 cars. A customer may require a contractor to stripe a massive parking lot in stages so that the entire lot does not need to be closed for the duration. Furthermore, large lots typically take longer to clean and prepare for striping. Since the weather is a critical factor, the contractor may have trouble finding consecutive days when the entire project can be completed.
What Weather Is Needed for Parking Lot Striping in the Winter?
You probably realize that your contractor cannot apply painted markings in the rain, but you might not know that wet weather immediately before the job can force your contractor to reschedule. The pavement must be dry, and it must remain dry until the paint is cured. The second condition involves the temperature of the pavement and the temperature of the air. Typically, the air temperature needs to be above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, but there can be exceptions. For example, suppose there have been several consecutive nights with very cold temperatures that are followed by a day with an air temperature above 45 degrees. In that case, the pavement may still be too cold to apply painted markings.
What About Thermoplastic Line Striping and Markings?
Thermoplastic pavement markings have several advantages over painted markings, but both methods typically require similar weather conditions. However, preformed thermoplastic markings can sometimes be applied in colder weather than the bulk products commonly used for long-line road striping. Unlike extruders and other application tools that require heating the material, preformed markings require the contractor to heat the pavement. This can sometimes allow their application when temperatures are too borderline for painted markings. Only your contractor can advise you on the feasibility of applying either type of pavement markings during the winter.
Marathon Solutions Group is a well-respected, experienced pavement company that serves customers in and around the Houston metropolitan area. Whether you prefer thermoplastics or paints for your lot striping and marking, need asphalt paving or resurfacing, want to install bollards, or need to repair the cracks and potholes in your asphalt pavement, we can help. We also offer marking removal, concrete work, sealcoating, asphalt milling, and many other paving services. We are known for our exceptional results and outstanding customer service. We offer free quotes, so request yours by calling 800-879-1147, emailing HQ@marathon-solutions.com, or completing the online form.
