Embedding small glass beads into stripes painted on asphalt ensures that the lines show up clearly in the dark. Thousands of tiny glass beads give the painted lines their reflective capacity and help your customers maintain orderly movements while visiting your premises at night. Glass beads also preserve the usefulness of lines painted on asphalt for a much longer time, reducing the need to repaint them periodically.

Retro-reflectivity levels

By reflecting back headlights, your commercial lot’s lines show up clearly even in pitch black — in fact, they contrast more the darker it is. It’s important to use the right type and amount of glass beads with your paint mixture to ensure the lines are not overly bright. A1 Professional Asphalt & Sealing ensures the proper level of reflectivity by mixing the correct type of glass beads in the right proportion with our long-lasting lot-striping paint.

Glass beads in airport-runway lines, for example, must meet TT-P-1325D Type 3 standards, for extremely high reflectivity. TT-P-1325D Type 1 and Type 2 glass beads reflect less light and are the standard most appropriate for public streets and asphalt lots. This ensures only enough painted-line reflectivity to make the lines obvious without causing excessive glare when people’s eyes are adjusted to low-light conditions. Reflectivity levels are controlled by altering the level of coating and polish of the glass beads, as well as their chemical composition.

Consider moisture levels

Reflectivity is also affected by rain and moisture. Larger beads are commonly used under such conditions, because when the asphalt is wet, it can be hard to differentiate bright painted lines from headlights and streetlights reflecting off the lot itself. If the asphalt you are responsible for is in a high-moisture area like the Gulf Coast states, it may necessitate the use of larger glass beads.

Glass-bead-embedded lines to keep your customers safe

To increase your business’s safety and reduce legal liability, A1 Professional Asphalt & Sealing LLC provides unmatched lot striping services that will last for years to come. To further boost the longevity and quality of your asphalt lot stripes, consider using glass beads to show your customers that you make their safety and comfort a priority. Contact us to experience the great service and professional skill that has made A1 Professional Asphalt & Sealing the most trusted name in asphalt and concrete services across the entire Midwest region.

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