Shop Aprons & Equipment Yards in Casper, WY

Shop aprons and equipment yards take far more punishment than a driveway. In Casper, where many homes have a detached shop and many businesses serve the oilfield, ranching and construction trades, the pavement in front of an overhead door or across a yard carries loaded pickups, trailers, flatbeds and equipment. Turning wheels, outriggers and trailer jacks concentrate that weight. A section built for cars will rut and crack quickly.

Building for the load

Cost guides describe heavier-duty pavement as 3 to 4 inches of asphalt over 8 to 10 inches of base, and 4 inches or more for commercial use. For yards with regular truck traffic, we often go thicker, especially at entrances, turning areas and in front of doors. We ask what will run on it and size each area to match, and the bid lists the depth for each area.

The apron at the door

The apron in front of a shop door is where loads stop, turn and sit. It also catches meltwater from the roof and snow pushed out of the shop. We set the apron slightly lower than the slab and slope it away so water does not run back under the door, and we make the joint at the slab flush.

Yards and drainage

Large paved yards collect a lot of water during spring melt and summer storms. Without a plan, it ponds, freezes and works into the pavement. We grade yards to shed water toward a ditch, swale or drain, and we keep low spots away from doors and walkways.

RV and trailer pads

RV pads and trailer storage areas need the same heavy section, plus room to swing in. We measure the turn from the street or drive and check gate widths and obstacles before laying out the pad.

Fuel, oil and seal coat

Shops and yards see fuel, oil and hydraulic fluid drips. Those soften asphalt over time. Seal coating every few years helps resist spills, and cleaning up spills promptly keeps them from soaking in.