Most commercial parking lots are paved with a Superpave surface mix such as SP-12.5, often placed over an SP-19 structural layer where trucks and heavy loads are expected. Engineered Asphalt Materials (EAM) produces these mixes at its Gencor-equipped plant in Vero Beach and can help you match the mix to the traffic your lot will carry.
Common parking lot asphalt mix choices
The plant's mix selection guide lists SP-12.5 or SP-19 for commercial pads and parking. Here is how contractors usually think about each option.
- SP-19 (19 mm nominal maximum aggregate): a structural or base layer with larger stone. It adds strength under drive lanes, loading zones and dumpster pads.
- SP-12.5 (12.5 mm): a surface or structural mix and the common wearing course for retail, office and medical lots where cars make up most of the traffic.
- SP-9.5 (9.5 mm): a fine surface mix that gives a tighter, smoother finish. It suits light-duty areas, small lots and patch work.
- BM-1: a base mix for base course work when the design calls for an asphalt base.
The engineer's plans control the final pavement section. If the drawings call out a specific gradation and binder, that is what gets ordered. When the plans leave room for choice, call the plant and talk through the expected traffic.
Matching the mix to how the lot is used
Not every part of a parking lot takes the same stress. A shopping center lot has slow cars in the stalls, steady turning traffic in the drive aisles and heavy delivery trucks behind the building. Many designs split the lot into zones.
Parking stalls and light-duty areas
Stalls carry passenger cars at low speed. A Superpave surface mix like SP-12.5 or SP-9.5 over a sound base is typical.
Drive aisles and entrances
Entrances take the turning, braking and accelerating that scuffs and shoves a surface. These areas usually get a thicker section, and some designs add an SP-19 layer under the surface course.
Truck routes, loading docks and dumpster pads
Concentrated loads and stop-and-go movement are where rutting shows up first. For these spots, consider a polymer-modified mix. EAM lists PG 76-22 polymer-modified binder for high-stress duty, with improved elasticity and rut resistance under Florida heat.
Binder grades in plain terms
The binder is the asphalt cement that holds the stone together. The plant lists three performance-graded options:
- PG 64-22, a standard performance grade
- PG 67-22, a standard performance grade
- PG 76-22, a polymer-modified grade for high-stress areas
The first number relates to the high pavement temperature the binder is graded for, which matters in a region where the sun bakes dark pavement for much of the year. Gradations and binders are listed on the mix specifications page.
Drainage options for parking lots
Stormwater is a big part of site design in Indian River, Brevard, St. Lucie and Martin counties. Two specialty mixes on the spec sheet relate to water:
- Porous asphalt: a permeable mix that lets water soak through, listed for parking lots and stormwater management.
- Open-graded friction course (OGFC): built for drainage and reduced hydroplaning, and more common on high-speed roads.
Porous pavement needs its own design, including the stone reservoir below it, so bring the engineer into that decision early. Specialty mixes are confirmed per project, so call the plant before you bid one.
Thickness and tonnage
As a planning rule, 1.5 to 2 inches is typical for an overlay on a sound existing surface, and 3 inches or more for new construction and heavier traffic. Once you have the section, run each layer through the asphalt tonnage calculator. It uses a standard compacted density of 145 pounds per cubic foot, which you can adjust for your mix. Treat the result as an estimate and confirm the final quantity with the plant before ordering.
Tack coat and the order of work
Bond between layers matters as much as the mix itself. EAM offers TAC (tack coat) along with its asphalt, so tack and mix can come from the same plant. A typical sequence on a new lot looks like this:
- Finish and approve the subgrade and base.
- Place the structural layer, if the design calls for one.
- Apply tack coat between lifts.
- Place the surface course and compact it while the mat is hot.
- Let the surface cure before striping.
Planning around Florida weather
Afternoon storms are routine here for much of the year. Many crews schedule parking lot paving early in the day, keep loads covered and never lay hot mix on standing water. Talk to the plant about your pickup window so trucks are not sitting loaded while a storm passes.
Ordering parking lot mix from EAM
Plant pickup runs Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, at 500 2nd St SW in Vero Beach, first come, first served. Weekend and after-hours pickup is available by request. Delivery can be arranged through local trucking partners. Pricing, availability and minimums depend on the mix, so call or text the plant for current numbers.
Ready to price a lot? Send your specs through the contact page or call (772) 494-6077.