Hotels, retail centres, factories, hospitals and more are all considered commercial properties. But each one has very different needs.
For example, a hotel or shopping centre might need a beautiful exterior that draws customers in. Whereas factories and hospitals tend to prioritise smooth, easy access for heavy goods vehicles and ambulances.
Whatever the purpose of your commercial property, choosing road surfacing that suits your needs allows you to reach your business goals more effectively.
Commercial property surfacing laid by a trusted contractor delivers smooth, even roads and pathways free from potholes, cracks and uneven transitions.
This lowers the risk of accidents for both vehicles and pedestrians, especially in high-traffic areas.
With over 50 years’ experience as road surfacing experts, Hazell & Jefferies Ltd can also advise on signage, markings and skid-resistant coatings to ensure safe navigation.
High-quality commercial surfacing materials and proper installation techniques give you roads that better withstand weather, traffic and general wear.
Durable road surfacing for businesses reduces the need for frequent repairs, patching or resurfacing, lowering long-term maintenance costs.
This is especially true if you also apply preventative treatments like surface dressing to extend surface lifespan.
And after 10+ years when your business road surfacing finally needs a touch up, Hazell & Jefferies Ltd will be on hand to restore your surfaces to top condition.
Aesthetically pleasing road surface design and a smooth, premium finish give your commercial property a polished, professional look.
This reflects positively on your business, attracting more customers and inspiring confidence in your service.
It can also significantly increase your property value. So you can bring in extra money when it’s time to move on to a new premises.
Commercial road surfacing from Hazell & Jefferies Ltd ensures smooth, level access throughout your property.
We can also install tactile paving, dropped kerbs and clear road markings to help meet the needs of all visitors, including those with disabilities.
This ensures everyone can use your site conveniently, supporting inclusivity and compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
The roads and pathways outside your commercial property must adhere to various national and local regulations.
For example, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires site owners to ensure safe entry and exit for all employees and site visitors.
And you need to meet national standards for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to prevent flooding and surface decay.
The commercial road surfacing contractors at Hazell & Jefferies Ltd are knowledgeable about relevant commercial surfacing legislation.
We make sure your property meets these obligations, helping to protect you against fines and legal action.
Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen and aggregates like sand and gravel.
As a strong and budget-friendly road surfacing material, it’s widely used for roads, car parks and industrial estates.
Once laid, asphalt surfacing produces a smooth, dark-black finish that adds a sleek, practical touch to your property.
Asphalt surfacing costs around £40-£60/m2 depending on depth, base preparation and location.
It takes around 24 hours to set, after which it can usually handle light foot and vehicle traffic. But you should avoid heavy loads for at least 2-3 days.
Asphalt surfacing takes 2-7 days to cure. Though full hardness can take weeks depending on the weather.
With regular sweeping, sealcoating every few years and occasional patching of cracks and potholes, asphalt surfacing usually lasts 15-25 years.
The terms ‘tarmac’ and ‘asphalt’ are often used interchangeably. But the two are technically different.
Tarmac uses tar as a binder rather than bitumen. And while it produces the same uniform black appearance, it offers a slightly rougher texture.
Tarmac surfacing typically costs £45-£70/m2.
Like asphalt, tarmac is usable for light traffic a day or two after laying. Curing takes up to 7 days, and full durability can take a few weeks.
But once it’s cured, tarmac surfacing can last 10-20 years with regular sweeping, resurfacing and repairs.
Concrete is a composite material made of cement, water and aggregates like gravel or sand.
It hardens into a solid surface idea for high-load commercial use. That makes it an excellent choice as surfacing for delivery areas and other spaces that receive heavy goods vehicles.
Aesthetically, some property owners aren’t fond of concrete’s light-grey appearance. But we can pattern or colour your concrete surfacing, giving you a strong and practical surface that’s pleasing to the eye.
At £70-£120/m2, concrete surfacing is more expensive than other options.
But it can last 30-40 years or more with minimal maintenance requirements. So it’s often cheaper in the long term.
Concrete sets in 24-48 hours. But it needs at least 7 days to cure before vehicles drive on it.
Full curing for maximum strength takes 28 days.
Resin-bound surfaces consist of clear resin mixed with decorative aggregates laid across a solid base.
This forms a smooth, porous surface with an attractive uniform finish and visible stonework.
Under heavy use, resin surfacing isn’t as durable as asphalt, tarmac or concrete. So it’s more suitable for driveways and short stretches of decorative road rather than extensive surfacing.
Resin-bound surfacing costs around £70-£100/m2.
It takes just 6-8 hours to set for foot traffic, and 24 hours for vehicles.
However, temperature and humidity affect setting time. So resin-bound surfacing is best applied during dry weather.
Once set, it can last 15-25 years with occasional sweeping, jet washing and crack filling.
Rather than mixing the materials together, resin-bonded surfacing involves applying a layer of resin to a base and scattering loose aggregate over the top.
This gives the surface a rough texture that improves grip and slip resistance.
The textured natural-stone appearance is also very popular for commercial properties that want to make a great first impression.
Resin-bonded surfacing is slightly cheaper to install at £50-£85/m2.
And it sets even faster than resin-bound surfacing, taking just 2-4 hours for light foot traffic and 12-24 hours for vehicle traffic.
Once laid, it can last 10-15 years without resurfacing treatments.
However, the loose stones can come away with time. So occasional top-ups and repairs may be necessary.
Choosing the right surfacing for your commercial property depends on your business goals and how much road you have.
For factories and warehouses, the priority is to create a hard-wearing surface that can handle heavy vehicle loads. Cost efficiency and longevity are important, but aesthetics generally aren’t. So undecorated concrete is an excellent choice.
For long stretches of road, the upfront costs of concrete road surfacing can be too high. And resin lacks the durability for constant vehicle traffic. As such, you’re likely better off with asphalt and tarmac, which are also suitable for parking area surfacing.
In other cases, the goal of road surfacing is to enhance aesthetic appeal. That’s why hotels, restaurants and retail locations often invest in resin-bound or resin-bonded surfacing to give their business a premium edge. But for commercial properties with high revenue, patterned concrete is also popular.
By discussing the needs and intentions of your commercial property with an expert at Hazell & Jefferies Ltd, you can get trusted advice on road surfacing materials.
We help you find a solution that matches your property without exceeding your budget. And we’re always happy to return a few years down the line for surface dressing, resurfacing and repairs to keep your roads, driveways and pathways in peak condition.
Commercial property owners throughout Oxfordshire, Reading, Berkshire and the wider UK rely on Hazell & Jefferies Ltd for premium road surfacing that lasts.
Our team always comply with road surfacing legislation. And we can advise on features such as disabled access, road markings and textured surfaces.
That means you can get beautiful, functional commercial road surfacing that helps you achieve your business goals.
Get in touch today for a free consultation to find the commercial property surfacing material that’s right for you.
