Sealcoating vs Repaving: Which Saves Commercial Owners More?
Sealcoating is a small fraction of the cost of repaving per square foot — and, more importantly, staying on a sealcoating cycle is exactly what delays the day you need to repave at all. Repaving is a capital project; sealcoating is inexpensive maintenance that protects that capital. For almost every commercial owner, the lowest lifetime cost comes from maintaining sound pavement, not neglecting it and rebuilding.
Sealcoating vs repaving at a glance
| Sealcoating | Repaving | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Protective maintenance coat | Removing & replacing asphalt |
| Relative cost | Low (per sq ft) | Many times higher |
| Downtime | Hours to a day | Days |
| Frequency | Every 2–3 years | Every 15–20+ years |
| Best for | Sound pavement | Failed pavement |
If your asphalt is structurally sound, sealcoating and crack repair keep it that way for a fraction of repaving cost. If it has already failed to the base, patching or repaving is the honest answer — and we will tell you which you actually need rather than overselling.
When repaving really is the answer
- Widespread alligator cracking
- Base failure and sinking areas
- Pavement past the point sealcoating can protect
Need this handled?
We provide commercial parking lot sealcoating across Detroit and Metro Detroit. Call (313) 631-7021 for a free on-site quote.