Parking is an essential part of modern urban infrastructure, especially in rapidly growing metropolitan areas and airports. This growth drives the ongoing development of new car parking facilities, as well as the regular expansion and renovation of existing ones. Well-designed parking structures meet users’ needs by creating a safe, welcoming environment for both people and their vehicles.
At Sika, we understand the challenges and complexities of maintaining car parking garages. From preserving the integrity of key structural components to ensuring user safety with minimal disruption, every detail matters — and we’re here to help you get it right.
Innovation and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do. Our advanced, patented technologies deliver proven durability and efficiency, ensuring sustainable, long-term performance. We help you stay on schedule, on budget, and ahead of expectations — all while meeting today’s environmental standards.
Key Challenges in Parking Garages
Since the 1950s, multi-story parking garages in mature markets have been built primarily with reinforced concrete. However, many of these structures have experienced early deterioration, structural defects, and other issues caused by inadequate design, poor workmanship, substandard materials, lack of maintenance, or a combination of these factors.
In emerging markets, rapid urbanization and economic growth have driven demand for efficient parking solutions. As in other parts of the world, multi-story parking garages are often constructed with reinforced concrete. Yet unique climatic conditions and high population density in many cities present additional challenges — including the need for innovative designs that maximize space and ensure durability against factors such as humidity and seismic activity. As a result, there is a growing focus on using advanced materials, adopting sustainable practices, and implementing regular maintenance to address these challenges and extend the lifespan of parking structures.
Parking garage refurbishment or new construction projects often come with tight deadlines, and every day a facility remains closed means lost revenue. The parking industry demands fast-curing, low-odor, and non-disruptive systems that allow work to progress with minimal interruption.
Sika delivers efficient, high-performance solutions that minimize downtime while ensuring compliance and providing the long-term durability essential for high-traffic parking environments.
Parking garage owners face constant pressure to reduce operating expenses while maintaining long-lasting performance. This requires high-quality materials that are durable, easy to clean, and require fewer repairs or replacements over time.
Sika’s robust systems are designed with this in mind—extending the service life of your facility and significantly lowering long-term maintenance costs.
Modern parking garages must be engineered to handle growing traffic volumes and increasingly heavier vehicles, all while meeting evolving safety standards and building codes.
Our solutions support structural integrity under demanding load conditions, ensuring long-term performance, user safety, and full regulatory compliance.
Quick Overview of Sika Car Park Solutions
Ramps & entrance areas
Main exposures
Temperature variations, chloride exposure (de-icing salts), weathering, high traffic loads, vibrations, constant use, spillages, pollutants, no closing allowed
Main causes of deterioration
Corrosion (especially reinforcement), surface abrasion, scaling, cracking from fatigue/loading, aging of materials, chemical attacks
Sika solutions
- Concrete production: SikaControl®, Sika® ViscoCrete®, Sika ViscoFlow®
- Waterproofing: SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika Monotop®, SikaTop®, Sikalastic®, Sika®-1
- Floors: Sikafloor® OneShot, Sikafloor® Multiflex
- Joint sealing: Sikaflex®, Emseal®
- Fire protection: Sikasil®, Sika® Backer Rod Fire, SikaSeal®, Emseal®
- Concrete repair and protection: Sika MonoTop®, SikaEmaco®, Sikagard®, Sikadur®, Sika® FerroGard®, SikaGrout®
- Structural strengthening: SikaWrap®, Sika CarboDur®
- Advanced inspection and monitoring: DuraMon sensors
Staircases & pedestrian areas
Main exposures
Slip resistance, wear resistance, human actions, fire
Main causes of deterioration
Erosion, concrete cracking, surface wear, aging, vandalism, minor chemical attack (cleaners), fire damages
Sika solutions
- Concrete production: SikaControl®, Sika® ViscoCrete®, Sika ViscoFlow®
- Waterproofing: SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika Monotop®, SikaTop®, Sikalastic®, Sika®-1
- Floors: Sikafloor® MultiDur, Sikafloor® DecoDur
- Roofs: Sikalastic®, SikaShield®, SikaPlan®, Sarnafil®
- Joint sealing: Sikaflex®, Emseal®
- Fire protection: Sikasil®, Sika® Backer Rod Fire, SikaSeal®, Emseal®
- Concrete repair and protection: Sika MonoTop®, SikaEmaco®, Sikagard®, SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika® FerroGard®, SikaGrout®
- Structural strengthening: Sika CarboDur®, SikaWrap®
Top decks & exposed areas
Main exposures
UV radiation, rain, freeze/thaw cycles, temperature fluctuations, pollutants, de-icing salts, erosion, vibrations, traffic impacts, loads
Main causes of deterioration
Corrosion of reinforcement, carbonation, freeze/thaw damage, surface scaling, cracking from temperature variations, increase of loads, abrasion, impacts
Sika solutions
- Concrete production: SikaControl®, Sika® ViscoCrete®, Sika ViscoFlow®
- Waterproofing: SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika Monotop®, SikaTop®, Sikalastic®, Sika®-1
- Floors: Sikafloor® Multiflex, Sikafloor® Pronto
- Roofs: Sikalastic®, SikaShield®, SikaPlan®, Sarnafil®
- Joint sealing: Sikaflex®, Emseal®
- Concrete repair and protection: Sika MonoTop®, SikaEmaco®, Sikagard®, SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika® FerroGard®, SikaGrout®
- Structural strengthening: Sika CarboDur®, SikaWrap®
- Advanced inspection and monitoring: DuraMon sensors
Intermediate decks & basement levels
Main exposures
Chlorides (de-icing salts), water ingress, pollutants, humidity, vibrations, traffic impacts, fire
Main causes of deterioration
Corrosion, cracking from loading, carbonation, abrasion, fatigue-related cracking, increase of loads, traffic impacts, fire damages
Sika solutions
- Concrete production: SikaControl®, Sika® ViscoCrete®, Sika ViscoFlow®
- Waterproofing: SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika Monotop®, SikaTop®, Sikalastic®, Sika®-1
- Floors: Sikafloor® Pronto, Sikafloor® Multiflex
- Joint sealing: Sikaflex®, Emseal®
- Fire protection: Sikasil®, Sika® Backer Rod Fire, SikaSeal®, Emseal®
- Concrete repair and protection: Sika MonoTop®, SikaEmaco®, Sikagard®, SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika® FerroGard®, SikaGrout®
- Structural strengthening: Sika CarboDur®, SikaWrap®
- Advanced inspection and monitoring: DuraMon sensors
Ground bearing slab
Main exposures
Water ingress, high humidity, low ventilation, traffic vibrations, de-icing salts, traffic impacts
Main causes of deterioration
Corrosion (especially due to poor drainage), damp-induced cracking, mold risk, chloride attack, fire damages, traffic impacts, chemical attacks
Sika solutions
- Concrete production: SikaControl®, Sika® ViscoCrete®, Sika ViscoFlow®
- Waterproofing: SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika Monotop®, SikaInject®, Sikadur®, SikaTop®, Sikalastic®, Sika®-1, SikaProof®, SikaShield®
- Floors: Sikafloor® Xolutec®, Sikafloor® MultiDur
- Joint sealing: Sikaflex®, Emseal®
- Fire protection: Sikasil®, Sika® Backer Rod Fire, SikaSeal®, Emseal®
- Concrete repair and protection: Sika MonoTop®, SikaEmaco®, Sikagard®, SikaInject®, Sikadur®, Sika® FerroGard®, SikaGrout®
- Structural strengthening: Sika CarboDur®, SikaWrap®
- Advanced inspection and monitoring: DuraMon sensors
1. Concrete Production
In most modern developments, reinforced concrete is used from the foundations through the below-ground structure, including any retaining walls. The importance of concrete quality and proper performance specifications for what is known to be an aggressive environment—regardless of where the parking structure is located—should not be underestimated.
Increasing the durability of concrete by using:
SikaControl® SRA to minimize shrinkage of concrete
SikaControl® AER to increase the frost and freeze/thaw resistance
SikaFume® silica fume to increase the density of the matrix
Sika® FerroGard® corrosion inhibitor to prevent the corrosion of steel reinforcement
Sika® Antisol® for controlled curing of the concrete for significantly enhanced durability
SikaFiber® for increasing the ductility, tensile strength and resistance to concrete spalling in high temperatures
High early strength concrete for reduced closure times is achieved by:
High range water reduction and plasticizing with Sika® ViscoCrete® and SikaPlast® technology, to provide enhanced strength development and precisely controlled concrete workability
Hardening or set acceleration to speed up the hydration process using SikaRapid® technology
Casting concrete with maximum flowability for specific periods of time without the need for vibration by the addition of:
Sika® ViscoCrete® and Sika ViscoFlow® technology for highly flowable and workable concrete with optimized raw material usage, based on powerful water reduction with extended workability time
Sika® Stabilizer VMA for improved stability of the self compacting concrete, even with inferior quality aggregates
SikaFume® silica fume to provide increased density and durability of the matrix, with enhanced fresh concrete stability
Two-component, structural epoxy bonding agent Sikadur®-32 to bond fresh concrete to hardened concrete
2. Waterproofing
Sika has over 100 years of experience providing waterproofing solutions. Selecting the most appropriate waterproofing concept and system for a specific project depends on many factors, making it essential to involve a qualified waterproofing specialist in the early stages of design.
SikaInject® and SikaDur®: water stopping, waterproofing, permanent waterproofing and leaking construction joints with injections
Sika Monotop® Water Plug: water plug mortar
SikaTop®, Sikalastic®, Sika Monotop® and Sika®-1: internal waterproofing
SikaProof® and SikaShield®: external waterproofing
Sikadur®-Combiflex: joint sealing and waterproofing
3. Flooring
Parking decks require a protective coating to ensure durability, functionality, and safety. These structures are constantly exposed to harsh conditions, such as de-icing salts, water ingress, oils, brake fluids, and varying climates, all of which can deteriorate the materials over time. A proper coating acts as a shield, preventing damage and prolonging the lifespan of the parking facility.
Sikafloor® MultiFlex: polyurethane flooring systems
Sikafloor® Pronto: PMMA flooring systems
Sikafloor® MultiFlex: polyurethane flooring systems
Sikafloor® Pronto: PMMA flooring systems
Sikafloor® MultiDur: epoxy flooring systems
Sikafloor® MultiDur: epoxy flooring systems
Sikafloor® Xolutec®: durable, protective flooring systems
Sikafloor® MultiFlex: polyurethane flooring systems
Sikafloor® Pronto: PMMA flooring systems
Sikafloor® MultiDur: epoxy flooring systems
Sikafloor® OneShot: spray-applied, broadcasted polyurea systems
Sikafloor® MultiDur: epoxy flooring systems
Sikafloor® DecoDur: decorative epoxy flooring systems
4. Roofing
Current demand in the flat roofing segment is driven by the need for eco-friendly, energy-saving solutions such as green roof systems, cool roofs, and solar roofs—all of which can help reduce CO2 emissions.
For parking structures, Sika membrane systems are primarily used to meet the demand for ballasted or green roofs and utility roof decks, where the top layer of the system is also designed as a durable surface for pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic.
Sarnafil® and Sikaplan®: single-ply roof membranes
SikaShield®: bituminous roof membrane
Sikaroof®: liquid applied roof membrane
5. Joint Sealing
Floor joints are the most vulnerable part of a parking garage deck. In addition, in modern buildings, aesthetics and noise reduction play an increasingly important role. Traditional metal joint solutions have clear limitations when a joint line is complex or when noise reduction is required.
Sikaflex® and Sika Emseal®: high-performance sealants
Sika® FloorJoint: prefabricated, carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite floor panel system
Sika Emseal®: expansion joints
Sikaflex®: silicone, polyurethane and hybrid joint sealants for floors, walls and facades
For fire-rated joints, see Sika solutions for fire protection
6. Fire Protection
Sika offers several passive fire protection solutions designed to prevent or slow the spread of fire. In buildings such as parking garages, basements, staircases, and other confined areas, fireproof solutions are essential.
Our products comply with the latest relevant standards and can be used for a wide range of applications, including linear seals, cavity barriers, and penetration seals.
Sikasil®: fire-resistant sealant for movement joints
Sika® Backer Rod Fire: fire-resistant backer rod to be used with any Sika sealant
SikaSeal®: cable or cable tray coating
Emseal®: fire-rated expansion joints
Fire stopping solution finder for linear seals
Fire stopping solution finder for penetration seals
7. Concrete Repair & Protection
Sika has a full range of well-proven products and systems for all aspects of concrete refurbishment, including many innovative solutions that are ideal for use on parking structures.
Successful concrete refurbishment starts with a detailed condition survey and assessment, to identify the nature and extent of any damage, together with the root cause(s) of any degradation. It is only after this survey and assessment that the appropriate repair and protection strategy, and the best options for the repair and future protection works, can be defined according to the relevant standards (e.g. European Standards EN 1504).
Sikagard®: concrete protection
Sika® FerroGard®: cathodic concrete protection
Sika® FerroGard®-903 Plus: active corrosion inhibitor for reinforced concrete
Sika MonoTop®, SikaEmaco®, Sikacrete®, SikaGrout®, Sikadur® and SikaInject®: concrete repair
SikaWrap® and Sika CarboDur®: structural strengthening
8. Advanced Inspection & Monitoring
The condition of reinforced concrete structures and the full extent of any potential damage is often not visible on the concrete surface. Corrosion damage and structural deterioration can develop internally and progress significantly, before becoming visible on the surface, such as with chloride-induced pitting corrosion.
To ensure effective repair and maintenance, it's crucial to optimize the number of structures requiring attention, along with the extent and cost-effectiveness of the work. Predictive maintenance, through optimized life cycle planning, helps anticipate potential damage. The goal is to identify issues early, preventing larger and more disruptive repairs down the line. Achieving this requires detailed and reliable data and information to accurately predict structural conditions and assess the level of deterioration.
DuraMon sensor set including multi-sensors that can be used in both new and existing structures to monitor the existing concrete condition and performance
Sikagard®-8500 CI one-component, dual-phase surface-applied corrosion inhibitor for long-term protection against both carbonation and chloride induced corrosion
Sikafloor® seamless floor systems that meet the highest requirements
Driving Digitalization
Digital transformation is reshaping how car parking garages are planned, built, and maintained. Sika supports this evolution with a comprehensive portfolio of advanced digital tools through SikaVision® — helping you monitor, collaborate, optimize, and predict key aspects of your construction or refurbishment projects across the structure's lifecycle.
By integrating SikaVision®, you can:
- Enhance efficiency – Streamline processes and accelerate project delivery
- Make informed decisions – Use reliable data for planning, design, and execution
- Maximize product performance – Get the most out of your Sika solutions
Explore our digital tools and see how SikaVision® brings the future of construction to your projects.
