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We would all like to believe that concrete was created accidentally by Fred Flintstone and his bumbling buddy, Barney Rubble as in the 1994 movie, The Flintstones. It is true that the first version of the material was indeed a natural “accident” nearly 12 million years ago, but common usage of the “self-cementing” compound wasn’t until around 700 BC. Since then, commercial concrete and cement have perpetually evolved to become one of the most commonly used construction materials for both standing structures and roadways. Read More→

In business, there is not much more important than first impressions. When clients arrive at your office, are they impressed with a beautiful building but put off by the fact that your parking lot is patched together and dotted with potholes and cracks? That amazing building won’t be nearly as impressive as your clients stumble across the broken asphalt that is your parking lot.

Many businesses make this mistake, focusing on the aesthetics of their interior offices without a thought for the off-road feel of the exterior lot. Commercial paving companies are hired by businesses with this very common problem year in and year out and often can accommodate the schedule of the business, avoiding any down time. Read More→

Commercial asphalt paving contractors have dealt with a great deal of pressure from environmentalists since the beginning of paved roadways. Because asphalt is a crude oil or tar based material, there have been valid concerns voiced for the effect such a material will have on the environment. As the decades have passed since the implementation of the Interstate Highway System in 1956, the commercial paving industry has created new and amazing procedures to recycle old, used asphalt and concrete for use in new roadways, highways and structures. Read More→

We all get annoyed by the seemingly endless row of orange barrels or cones marking road construction zones, but they are there for a very serious reason: safety. The purpose of the cones and barrels is not only to protect the commercial paving contractor’s employees, but also to insure the safety of drivers traveling in the work zone. 85% of those injured or killed in highway and road work zones are motorists. Read More→

Minnesota and the upper Midwest have their own specific issues with weather related damage to asphalt and concrete driveways, parking lots and roadways. But believe it or not, the cold winter temperatures are not the primary culprit of the damages suffered. It’s actually the temperature warming that does the most damage. While all of us who live in the upper Midwest have enjoyed a mild winter this year, the quickly fluctuating temperatures are doing major damage to our asphalt and concrete surfaces and will keep the commercial paving contractors of the area busy this coming spring and summer. Read More→

Asphalt may not seem like the most interesting topic to read about, but when you consider how much asphalt is used to pave our roads and parking lots, it’s a viable commodity that isn’t going away anytime soon. If you are a commercial business or property manager, you understand how “curb appeal” can make or break a potential business deal. For that reason, it is best for you to know a little bit about the asphalt that coats your parking lot and what you can do to keep it in pristine shape through maintenance, thus saving you thousands of dollars down the line. Read More→

Do you ever look around and realize just how much concrete is covering our earth? To some degree, urban growth has decimated some of our natural wonder, and concrete plays a vital role in that, which can have a negative spin. But it also is the base for many of our needs on this planet. Below are some interesting facts about concrete (hard as that may be to imagine) that might just surprise you. Read More→

To most, commercial excavation in Minnesota would simply be moving dirt around. But it is far more than that. Excavation can involve anything from digging for a swimming pool to completely digging up and resurfacing an asphalt or concrete commercial parking lot. Commercial paving contractors in Minnesota operate heavy machinery to make these things happen and precise measurements and time are all involved in excavation. Read More→

What goes into paving an asphalt parking lot? It looks as if the asphalt is just poured and dried and that’s all it takes, but there is a lot more going on underneath the surface. A good gravel base is required in order to have a parking lot that is well-functioning. Generally, that gravel base should be between two and eight inches thick for most jobs. A base too thick or too thin will produce a substandard lot. Read More→

In the Twin Cities, we’ve all been watching and waiting as the construction of US Bank Stadium has made its way into the skyline. The new Minnesota Vikings stadium is scheduled to host the 2016 NFL season for the Vikes after two very cold seasons played at the outdoor TCF stadium. As the project comes to completion, it’s mind-blowing to learn what exactly goes into building such a huge structure. Read More→