If you are looking to have a new parking lot paved, one of the decisions that you will have to make is whether to use a traditional asphalt mix or a porous asphalt mix, also known as permeable asphalt, for your parking lot. There are pros and cons to both options. Taking the time to educate yourself on the difference between these asphalt products, and their individual advantages and disadvantages, will help you decide which option may be better for you. Read on to learn about the pros and cons associated with using a porous asphalt for your parking lot. 

The Cons of a Using Porous Asphalt for Your Parking Lot

• Porous Asphalt Has a Shorter Lifespan

One of the disadvantages to using porous asphalt for your parking lot is that porous asphalt has a shorter lifespan than regular asphalt. Porous asphalt can last for up to 20 years, whereas regular asphalt can last up to 30 years. If you are looking for the longest lasting solution, porous asphalt may not be it. 

• Porous Asphalt Requires More Maintenance

The other disadvantage to using porous asphalt is that it requires more maintenance than traditional asphalt surfaces. This is because not only do you have to care for the porous asphalt surface, but you need to care for the drains that are underneath the surface. Porous asphalt has drains under it to catch water and guide it away from your parking lot. If the drains are not maintained, your parking lot can flood. 

The Pros of a Using Porous Asphalt for Your Parking Lot

• Porous Asphalt Can Help Keep Your Parking Lot Safer

One of the major advantages to porous asphalt is that it helps to keep your parking lot safer. On a regular asphalt surface, water can pool. Customers can step in puddles that may be hiding potholes and injure themselves or the sitting water can freeze, making the surface slippery. When you use porous asphalt, the water drains from the parking lot, keeping it safer. 

• Porous Asphalt is Environmentally-Friendly

The other benefit to porous asphalt is that it is considered more environmentally-friendly than regular asphalt. Its lighter color helps to decrease how hot it gets. Regular asphalt heats up and then heats up the environment around it, which is one of the causes of global warming. Porous asphalt does not have this affect. 

Porous asphalt is a great option for some parking lots, but not for all of them. If you need a new parking lot, take the time to educate yourself on the different options out there. This information, along with the advice of a professional asphalt contractor can help you determine the right type of asphalt for your parking lot. 

Visit a website like http://www.harrispavingindustries.com to learn more.