Concrete Parking Stops – Benefits & Disadvantages
Anyone that works in the paving or parking business is familiar with the old tried & true concrete parking curb. While they do serve their purpose, and there are some advantages to using concrete parking curbs, there are also an overwhelming number of disadvantages as well.
What many aren’t familiar with is that there is an alternative. In the last decade, there has been a push for a more economical, more environmentally friendly option for protecting parking areas. And the recycled rubber parking curb fits the bill.
To compare the differences, we’d like you to try a few things . . . .
Typically the first step in installing curbs would be to get them to the location. For your first comparison, try loading about 50 of the concrete curbs on a pick up truck. Keeping in mind that each curb can weigh anywhere between 150 – 300 lbs each, you might be lucky to get 10 – 15 curbs on a truck. So if you’re working on a large lot of say 50 curbs, that means making between 3 – 5 trips to get all of the curbs there; or loading them on a large flatbed or trailer. Consider the cost of fuel, manpower, and potentially paying someone else to transport them for you.
Now, try throwing 50 rubber curbs on a pick up truck. No problem. Rubber curbs weigh just 34 lbs each. That means that 50 rubber curbs can easily be transported on a standard 1-ton pick up truck, in one trip. Think of the savings in this step alone!
Okay, so you’ve gotten them to the site, using whatever method you prefer. Now, how do you unload them? If you’re using concrete, you may need to use a forklift, or some type of crane to get them off the truck. Did you have to rent that piece of machinery? Or transport it there on your own? Those are all added expenses.
Try unloading them by hand. Grab hold of one and throw it up on your shoulder. Sounds impossible, right? Well, it almost is. Unless you’re Hercules, lifting a curb that weighs 300 lbs is left to the machinery. They’re just too heavy for one, or sometimes even 2 or 3 people to carry.
Now, try picking up one of the rubber curbs. Because they’re lightweight, almost anyone can not only lift the curb, but they can also carry them around, position them, and perhaps even carry 2 at a time.
Let’s consider positioning next. Remember the machinery that we talked about earlier? Chances are you’ll need to keep that on hand for placing each and every one of the 50 concrete curbs. How long will it take to install 50 curbs using this method? Remember, if you’re renting the machine, each minute that ticks by while you’re installing is a penny out of your pocket. Plus, do you need a person to stay with each curb as it’s laid into place? That means you’re not only paying for the rental (or at the very least the fuel to run it) but you’re also paying wages for potentially 2 – 3 people.
Because the rubber parking curb can be carried and positioned by hand, that machine is no longer necessary. This saves you the cost of rental, or opens that machine up for another project, and potential profit.
The next step would be the actual installation of anchoring. What kind of manpower is necessary for the concrete curbs? Do you need those 2 or 3 people to position the curb and drive in the anchors? How long does it take them both to do that? Now multiply that by 50 curbs.
Did you know that it takes just one person to install a rubber curb? And it can be done in about 15 minutes! How much would that save in wages?
As if these aren’t reason enough to give the rubber parking curbs a try, there are even more benefits and savings to be had. Something very few consider as an expense, is injury to your workers. How many times do employees have trouble with strained muscles, smashed fingers and various other ailments from working with such heavy materials? That could mean delayed jobs, time off work and Workman’s Comp claims. With lightweight rubber curbs, straining and smashed fingers is a much less probable occurrence, saving you money, and keeping everyone on the job safe.