A tarmac driveway is hot-laid asphalt compacted over a Type 1 sub-base to form a continuous, hard-wearing black surface.
Cost
£55 – £90 per m²
Lifespan
15 – 20 years
Permeable
No, unless porous asphalt is specified
Best for
Large areas, long drives, tight budgets
A block paved or kerbed edge protects the tarmac perimeter, which is where deterioration starts. Edge restraint is the difference between a driveway that lasts and one that crumbles.
Two-layer construction, a base course with a wearing course over it, outperforms a single thick layer.
Light use is normally possible within 24 to 48 hours once the surface has cooled and set, though full curing takes longer.
Sealing restores colour and slows water ingress. It is worth doing every few years, particularly in exposed or shaded locations.
Send your measurements, or ask us to measure on site. We quote by material, sub-base build-up and drainage solution, so you can compare like with like.