Does your business have a parking lot that needs to be striped? A parking lot that is clearly striped can help prevent accidents and encourage safe, convenient traffic flow. According to the National Safety Council, over 50,000 accidents happen in parking lots every year. Below are a few details to consider before you hire a parking lot striping service.

Paint

Not all parking lot striping paint is the same. Water-based paint is usually the least expensive and takes the least amount of time to dry. Oil-based paint is slightly more expensive, but it's more durable, especially in cold temperatures. Thermoplastic paint is often the most expensive paint, but it will last the longest and have the best visibility. Your parking lot striping service can help you decide which type of paint is right for your lot and your budget.

Stripes

Parking lot stripes should be four inches wide. The stripes need to be a color that stands out from the surface of the parking lot, whether it's day or night. They should also be thick, which you can achieve with two coats of paint. A parking lot striping service can do this with either airless or air-marking machines.

Handicap Spaces

Each state has its own laws about how many handicap spots a business must have. There are also laws about how big the handicapped spaces must be and how much clearance room they must have from the surrounding spaces. They also may need to be close to the sidewalk so a wheelchair can easily access your building. Your parking lot striping service should know these rules and be able to advise you on how many handicapped spaces you need. If you don't meet your state's laws, you could face fines and other serious consequences.

Downtime

Your parking lot will be unavailable to customers while the paint is being applied. Depending on the size of your lot, it could be unavailable for several days. What is your plan for business during that time? This is possibly the most important thing you'll need to consider in the lead-up to the striping. Communicate with your customers and employees in advance, so they know what they should do while the striping is happening.

Ready to bring your parking lot back to life and make the lines more visible? Contact Precise Striping LLC today to get started.