While parking lot striping is typically performed by professional contractors, being an informed buyer will ensure you get the best quality for the best price. In this post, we’ll cover the various aspects of asphalt line striping, including reasons to do it, determining a layout, and how much parking lot striping costs.

 5 Reasons Parking Lot Striping Is Important

  1. It creates a safe environment for employees and visitors. Pedestrians will be able to identify pathways to walk and won’t unknowingly walk or stand in loading zones.
  2. It improves traffic flow and prevents vehicular accidents. For example, when you have arrows for entrances, exits, and directional flow along with clearly marked fire lanes and loading areas, you will be able to keep traffic moving and prevent collisions.
  3. It helps you comply with ADA regulations. Aside from potentially losing visitors, not following the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations can be costly. If a person with a disability is injured on your non-compliant ADA property, you’ll be held legally responsible.
  4. It maximizes the number of parking spaces. You want to be able to fit as many vehicles into your lot while allowing for a smooth traffic flow and safety. By carefully planning your line striping, you can accommodate more visitors.
  5. It provides more curb appeal. Bright paint on black asphalt not only provides clear direction for drivers and pedestrians, but it looks well-maintained and clean, signalling that you take pride in your property.

 

What Yo Need To Know About Parking Lot Striping 

You may not want or need to know how to do parking lot striping, but you may want to understand what goes into determining the best layout for you. Here are some parking lot design basic specifications and considerations:

Lines and Paint

  • A line is four inches wide and is between 15 and 18 feet long.
  • A new line should be 15 mils thick (one mil equals 1/1000 of inch), and it is usually accomplished by using two coats.
  • Latex is the most commonly used paint and is most often used for resurfaced lots. However, latex paint is only approved in certain states. Oil-based paint is usually used for restripes and new layouts.
  • Some lines, such as the fire, loading zone, and handicapped markings require specific colors to meet the regulations. However, many lines and marking colors are up to you. Most choose white or yellow lot stripes, but blue is also becoming popular.

Parking Stall Angles and Sizes

  • The three types of angles used in parking spaces are: straight-in parking at 90°, angle parking with lines that are between 45°and 60°, and parallel parking spaces that have 90° angles, but are parallel to a border (the lines are perpendicular).
  • It’s more difficult to park in a space at a 90° angle, so only use this layout for longer term (full-day or overnight) parking.
  • Design spaces using 45° to 60° angles if there is a lot of turnover in the lot.
  • A typical stall size is nine by 18 feet. A handicap stall must be a minimum of 8 feet wide, and a compact stall is usually 7.5 by 15 feet or 8.5 x16 feet. However, it’s important to consult the zoning requirements in your area before determining stall sizes. And keep in mind that certain industries have different code requirements or standards for parking.Parking aisle

Parking Aisle Widths

  • Typical stalls require a minimum of a 22-foot aisle way between stalls. However, 24-foot aisles are commonly used throughout.
  • Angle parking requires a minimum of a 16 foot aisle way.
  • Parallel parking requires a minimum of a 22-foot aisle way for two-way traffic and a minimum of a 12-foot aisle way for one-way traffic.

ADA Parking

To be in compliance with ADA regulations, signage must be on the pavement and on an upright sign. Here is an abbreviated list for how many accessible spaces you need depending on the number of parking spaces in your lot. For a full list, see the U.S. Access Board’s site.

ADA Parking

How To Prepare Your Lot For Line Striping

Save time and money by making sure your lot is ready for line striping. Follow these tips:

  • Inspect your lot, If you are painting over damaged pavement, the stripes won’t last. Get repairs done before having lines painted. 
  • Alert visitors ahead of time. If you are getting striping done during business hours, make sure you have made arrangements for alternative parking space. 
  • Clean it. Remove dirt and debris so the paint will bond better and last longer. 
  • Make sure it’s dry. If you cleaned it with water, make sure it is dry. If you have a sprinkler system for adjacent landscaped areas, turn it off.

How Much Does Parking Lot Striping Cost?

It depends. A new parking lot that needs to be designed and measured generally costs more than re-striping because restriping usually only requires painting over existing lines. To get an exact estimate, you should contact an asphalt contractor, but here are some things that factor into the cost:

  • Mobilization fees. Usually a few hundred dollars, this minimum fee is charged to do a project because even small projects cost the contractor a certain amount just to show up.
  • Parking lot square footage and number of linear feet of parking spaces. The bigger the lot and number of spaces, the higher the cost.
  • Number of other markings. Handicap spaces, stop signs, cross walks, fire lanes, speed bumps, loading zones, arrows and letters can all add to the cost.
  • Extra items requiring paint. If you have curbs, light poles or bollards requiring paint, the cost increases.  
  • Line thickness. The more paint used, the higher the cost. 
  • Whether you can clear out the lot entirely for a couple of days (if not, then the cost goes up).

By understanding a few of the basics of parking lot line striping, you are a more informed buyer that can compare bids more easily. For professional advice and more than 25 years paving experience in a variety of industries, contact DC Construction to bid on your next line striping project.