Thermoplastic Road Paint and Winter Conditions
Choosing the right road paint for highways and backroads alike is a science. There are different types of road paints, such as epoxy-based and water-based, but thermoplastic road paint is one of the toughest, perfect for the harshest conditions. Some might wrongly think that thermoplastic paint is weak when it comes to lasting through the winter, saying that snowplows scrape and destroy the paint lines. However, this is not true. Here is more about thermoplastic road paint and winter conditions.
What Is Thermoplastic Road Paint?
Thermoplastic road paint is a thermoplastic compound including binders, pigment, and fillers. Thermoplastic itself is a common material used for countless commercial products, including toys, shampoo bottles, and medical devices. When formulated for road paint, you have two kinds: hydrocarbon and alkyd. Hydrocarbon is petroleum-based and is best suited for long, skip, and edge lines; meanwhile, alkyd is wood-based and stands up strong in high traffic areas like bus stops and inner-city roads.
The Benefits of Thermoplastic Road Paint
As mentioned above, the qualities that make thermoplastic road paint what it is enables it to perform well for specific applications. Thermoplastic road paint is considered to be one of the most durable road paints on the market and will last longer than other types of road paint. On average, depending on the road conditions and climate, one can expect this paint to last up to 5 years before it needs reapplication. Thermoplastic is also environmentally sound, having no toxins that might leach into the ground; they are free of volatile organic compounds and recyclable.
How Thermoplastic Stands Up in Winter
One might find articles online saying that a downside of thermoplastic road markings is that snowplows can scrape them up in winter. However, due to standard thermoplastic application and snowplowing strategies, there is no need to fear for newly installed thermoplastic road stripes.
Ideally, road striping companies will place the stripes directly on the lane, two inches from the shoulder and construction joints; one will also avoid installing stripes directly over joints between lanes and between lanes and the shoulder. These placements minimize destruction by snowplows. Therefore, you will not need to worry about thermoplastic road paint and winter conditions. If you have any questions or are looking for a road marking company in Maryland, contact us!
Contact Teniseal/Parking Striping Corporation for Asphalt Road and Parking Lot Services!
Teniseal Corporation specializes in the application, restoration, and maintenance of all types of asphalt surfaces. It makes sense to trust your asphalt job to experts with the experience and technical know-how to do your project right from the start to provide a long-lasting result. Teniseal offers services for Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George’s, Harford, Carroll, and Montgomery counties in Maryland. For more information, email them at [email protected], or call them at 410-485-5660 or 410-485-0717. Keep in touch on social media through Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!
