Some Parking Lot Striping Tips For Efficient Layout

Posted by Michael Griffin on January 18th, 2021

Access to parking lots remains a priority no matter what kind of business you run. Employees and customers alike need space to park their vehicles. The parking layout adds to the curb appeal. It decides how many vehicles can fit in a spot and how well drivers can move through it. That’s why pre-planning is necessary before parking lot striping in Denver.

In most cases, you can leave the layout to the striping firm. But you might want to give some inputs depending on your needs. Planning is especially necessary when DIYing. Here are some tips to help you plan an efficient parking layout:

Know Your Budget

Your budget will determine what resources you can use for the project. Quote eighty percent of your budget to contractors and keep twenty percent as a reserve. You may need the reserve in case of delays, a requirement for more resources, etc.

Consult Parking Lot Striping Companies

Companies have the expertise and resources needed to get the job done. While DIYing is possible, it can get tiresome. Plus there’s always a chance of getting something wrong and landing in legal trouble. Striping companies are familiar with building codes and can plan accordingly.

Measure Parking Area

Finding the area of the parking lot is usually the first step. You can use Google Maps, building plans, surveys, or measuring tape for the job. Keep local limits like entry/exit limit and building setbacks in mind when measuring the area. Mark obstacles like trees, lamp posts, etc. Once you have the dimensions, you can begin creating a map.

Consider Purpose

Giving people space to store cars while they’re elsewhere is the main purpose of a parking lot. But storing vehicles isn’t its only purpose. The area may be used for drive-thru pickups, curbside pickups, transporting supplies, etc. Moreover, a vehicle may stay in one area for long or short depending on why it’s parked there. So you need to include these factors in the plan.

Moreover, not all the stalls will have cars parked on them. Some will have smaller or larger vehicles as well which should be considered when deciding stall sizes. Accessibility is also an important factor to consider. Reserved spots for disabled, ramps, rails, etc. should be marked on the map. Local ADA guidelines can help you plan for it.

Include Traffic

Vehicles need some area to move around. Lack of clearance causes blockage at parking spaces and annoys drivers. Planning for traffic movement is important for an efficient layout. Two-way aisles will need more area than one-way aisles.

Define Stall Properties

9x18 sq. ft is the standard stall size though more compact areas may need 7.5x15 or 8.5x16. It depends on the minimum stalls you need to fit as per the building codes. You may also need to change the angles of the stall to maximize the space and define the movement.

Add Signs

Drivers need signs to guide them. Other than signboards, you may need to paint some spots to give directions to drivers. It may also be a legal requirement in your area.

Design Layout

Once you have the data needed for the plan, it’s time to design the layout. You can either sketch the layout or use design software. Be sure to keep the design to scale for true representation. Share the design with everyone concerned to get feedback before implementing it.

Inspect Parking Lot

Before you paint the area, you’ll need to inspect it for signs of wear and tear. Concrete while durable can fade over time and develop cracks. Asphalt faces similar issues. So you may need asphalt or concrete repairs in Denver to create a smooth surface. Then you can begin painting the layout as per your needs.

Get Supplies

Once the plan is ready, you know what supplies you need for the job. You’ll need good-quality paint, coating, machinery, etc. to finish the job correctly on time. Once you have the resources, it’s time to implement your plan.