Parking Blocks 101: Concrete vs. Recycled Plastic vs. Recycled Rubber
Parking blocks—also known as wheel stops, bumpers, or curb stops—are essential for protecting buildings, sidewalks, landscaping, and other vehicles by preventing drivers from overshooting parking stalls. Today’s market offers three main materials: concrete, recycled plastic, and recycled rubber. Understanding their differences can help you choose the safest and most cost-effective option for your parking lot.Concrete Parking Blocks
- Composition: Made from Portland-cement concrete, often reinforced with steel or fiber.
- Weight: Typically 150–250 lb for a 6-ft block, requiring two installers and likely heavy machinery.
- Durability: Offers a long lifespan indoors but can crack or spall in freeze-thaw climates or when hit by snowplows.
- Maintenance: Requires periodic repainting; damaged units are challenging to recycle or even remove.
- Cost: May offer low initial purchase price but may incur higher long-term costs due to maintenance and installation, or removal of broken blocks.
Recycled Plastic Parking Blocks
- Composition: Crafted from post-consumer HDPE or composite plastics, molded in solid colors.
- Weight: Around 16-30 lb for a 6-ft block, light enough for one person to realistically install or move.
- Durability: UV-stable colors eliminate the need for paint; resistant to salt, oils, moisture, and chipping.
- Sustainability: Diverts 10-40 lb of plastic from landfills per block and avoids cement-related emissions.
- Installation: Easily anchored with rebar spikes or lag bolts—no heavy equipment needed.
Recycled Rubber Parking Blocks
- Composition: Made from crumb rubber of end-of-life tires, bound with polyurethane.
- Weight: Ranges from 34–55 lb, very manageable for a single installer.
- Durability: Flexible to conform to uneven surfaces and absorb impacts without cracking.
- Sustainability: Reuses 2–3 tires per block and can be recycled again at the end of its life.
- Visibility: Features factory-applied reflective tape and molded-in colors for better nighttime visibility.
Why Recycled Plastic and Rubber Often Outshine Concrete
Recycled plastic and rubber parking blocks offer several advantages over concrete for most parking lots:- Cost Efficiency: Lightweight materials reduce shipping and labor costs, as one person can handle installation without heavy equipment.
- Low Maintenance: Both materials resist chipping and spalling, with built-in colors that never need repainting.
- Enhanced Safety: Softer surfaces minimize vehicle damage and eliminate concrete chips that can pose trip hazards.
- Environmental Benefits: Recycled materials keep waste out of landfills and reduce the carbon footprint associated with cement production.
- Flexibility: Easily relocated by one person for seasonal layouts, EV-charging stalls, or special events.
- Improved Aesthetics: Vibrant, molded colors maintain clear ADA and fire-lane markings for years without fading.
Which Material Is Right for Your Lot?
For light- to medium-duty parking lots, recycled plastic parking blocks or rubber parking blocks provide the best long-term value due to their durability, sustainability, and low maintenance. Concrete may still be suitable for heavy truck docks, but sustainable options are typically the smarter choice for most facilities.Ready to upgrade? Contact a parking block specialist at Traffic Safety Store to find the right size and anchoring solution for your needs.
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6' Commercial Plastic Parking Block
70.5" long x 5.75" wide x 4" tall, Approximately 16 lbs. each.
Seven Colors to choose from - - Safety Yellow, Gray, White, Handicapped Blue, 'Electric Vehicle' Green, 'Fire Lane' Red & National Park Service Brown
Includes three (3) fasteners per block
Engineered for added strength at lower weight, the 6-foot commercial plastic parking block can be carried and installed by a single person. LEED qualified and made from injection-molded, 100 percent recycled HDPE plastic, this parking stop resists tire scuffing and natural elements. The color is molded throughout – there's no upkeep required. Great for shopping mall parking lots, apartment and condo complexes, and commercial grounds. Comes in high-visibility yellow, traditional gray, white, handicapped blue, electric vehicle green, fire lane red and NPS Brown. Has recessed bolt holes and mounting hardware is included.
Ships Immediately
Quick Facts:
- 70.5" long x 5.75" wide x 4" tall
- Approx. 16 lbs each
- Mounting Hardware Included
- Choose - Safety Yellow, Concrete Gray, White, Handicapped Blue, Electric Vehicle Green, Fire Lane Red & National Park Service Brown
This Kit Includes:
- One (1) 70.5" Safety Yellow Recycled Plastic Parking Block
- Three (3) 12.5" Galvanized Steel Spikes