Asphalt Driveway Contractors

Asphalt, often referred to as bitumen outside of North America, is a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It may be found in natural deposits or may be a refined product; it is most commonly used as a binder in road construction. When mixed with aggregate particles (such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone), it forms asphalt concrete or bituminous concrete, the material commonly used for paving.

An asphalt driveway from GB Driveways typically lasts 20-30 years with the average lifespan being about 25 years. To hit these numbers, however, proper maintenance and upkeep is critical

Asphalt has a number of natural enemies, which will weaken it over time. Chief among them are surface water, sunlight, heavy traffic, fuel and oil, and the growth of roots. Bear these factors in mind when choosing the right surface for your upcoming job. If there is inadequate drainage and lots of large trees around, for example, asphalt may not be the ideal option.

No, generally asphalt isn’t permeable. It’s designed to be a tough and dense surface which efficiently channels water to designated drainage areas.

The best naturally permeable material, especially for domestic use, is our resin bound driveway options or tar and chip driveways.

The cost of asphalt per square metre varies greatly depending on a variety of factors including the complexity of the job, the location, and fluctuating material costs. However, for basic tarmac installation, you can expect to pay about £50-80 per square metre. 

Premium options cost more, and smaller jobs like edging, finishing, or resurfacing can sometimes cost less. 

Get in touch with our team to get a free quote for your asphalt surface.

Although often used interchangeably, especially nowadays, tarmac and asphalt actually aren’t the same thing. They have different origins, different material compositions, and different applications.

• Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates and bitumen.
• Tarmac, meanwhile, is a mix of crushed stone – called macadam – and tar.

Asphalt tends to be slightly more strong and durable than tarmac, which explains its use for major roads and runways. Asphalt is also slightly more costly than tarmac, but lasts longer and often requires less maintenance, so the costs balance out in the long run.

In general, it can take about 48 to 72 hours for asphalt to dry to be safe enough for vehicle traffic under normal weather conditions. There are many factors that can impact the drying time, though, such as outdoor temperature, the thickness of your asphalt layer, and specific mix used.

It depends! For residential use, like with asphalt driveways, it should be about 3 inches (7.5cm) thick to handle light to moderate traffic. For more commercial jobs like car parks, you might want to scale up a bit to 5 inches or so (12.5cm), and for roads and motorways with heavy traffic, you’ll want up to 8 inches of thickness (20cm).

Essentially, the thicker the asphalt layer is, the more load it can bear and the less easily it cracks and wears down under pressure.

Yes, tar and chip is typically cheaper than asphalt surfacing. The materials and installation process for tar and chip are less costly than those for asphalt, making it a good option for those looking for a durable and attractive surface without the higher expense of asphalt or concrete. Despite its lower cost, tar and chip still provides a hardy, long-lasting surface which is ideal for a variety of applications, both domestic and commercial.