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Should You Choose Rubber or Concrete Wheel Stops?

Should You Choose Rubber or Concrete Wheel Stops?

Traffic calming measures are installed in carparks small and large to help to prevent damage to paths, landscaping, and buildings. However, if you are contemplating installing stops or barriers, you will be facing a choice between concrete or rubber. In the past, concrete was the best material on offer, but now rubber offers a durable alternative.

The primary benefit of rubber wheel stops compared to concrete is in their transportation and installation costs. While concrete wheel stops can be very heavy and difficult to install, rubber models are lighter and easier to install. While you may need two or more people to move a concrete stop into position, a rubber one only requires one person. This means that the stop can be unloaded, moved into position and installed with minimal disruption. Additionally, since the rubber stops weigh considerably less, you are unlikely to need specialist equipment such as a forklift to move it into position.

Rubber wheel stops also offer a number of other advantages, compared to other materials. Rubber is very durable, which means that the wheel stop will be less prone to chipping, cracking or breaking. This can be very beneficial as some drivers will not be as diligent as others, and could end up hitting the wheel stop at speed.

Additionally, the rubber stop will be more forgiving on the vehicle, as concrete can be potentially very damaging if it makes contact with force on a vehicle.

If you are still unsure about whether rubber would be the best option for your premises, you should be aware of the potential disadvantages provided by concrete. Concrete stops are generally higher than the recognised Australian Standards. This can cause a great deal of damage to most modern vehicles when they are parking. Concrete is not only prone to cracking, but it is brittle and if it breaks it creates hazardous pieces which could trigger recurring costs.

Additionally, it is not possible to recycle concrete and once it has been damaged the stop will need to be removed and discarded. For this reason, concrete wheel stops are considered to be mostly obsolete. In order to comply with Australian standards, a concrete stop smaller and more prone to cracking, which makes them an impractical choice.

Generally, rubber wheel stops provide a more durable, cost effective and practical choice for properties large or small. If you are considering your options for wheel stops Perth property owners should speak to us. Image Extra have a wide range of wheel stops and other traffic calming measures. Our team would be delighted to discuss your requirements and assist you in determining the option best suited to your needs.