Tarmac Driveway Contractors
Over 40 Years in The Game Offering Tarmac Driveway Services
Tarmac driveways offer great resilience and sleek simplicity. Our expertise laying tarmac driveways spans over four decades, over which time we’ve put the finishing touches on hundreds, if not thousands, of tarmac driveways.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us create a custom solution for you. We look forward to hearing from you!
Why Choose a Tarmac Driveway?
Asphalt driveways are a great option if durability is at the forefront of your mind, or you expect your driveway to experience an above-average amount of traffic. This makes them great for a number of reasons:
- Unparalleled longevity: Tarmac driveways are built to last. As a material, asphalt is great at withstanding harsh weather conditions all year around and, when properly laid down and maintained, can last you up to a couple of decades.
- Speed of installation & use: Depending on the size of the location, asphalt driveways can take as little as a day or two to be installed after base preparation. Asphalt also cures very quickly, so you’ll be using your driveway and we’ll be out of your hair before you know it.
- Crack resistance: Although it’s not the most flexible material going, asphalt does have a good amount of flexibility which helps it resist cracking under the pressure of cars or vans, due to ground movements, or rapid changes in temperature.
- Simple maintenance: Asphalt driveways will require regular maintenance, such as seal coating every few years, but all repair work is relatively straightforward. We can easily fill in cracks or holes, and resealing the surface can make it appear brand new.
- Weather resistance: Asphalt can be a good option for colder climates due to its black colour, which helps it absorb and hold more heat, which – in turn – helps melt snow and ice faster.
How Much Does Laying a Tarmac Driveway Cost?
The cost of a tarmac driveway can vary depending on the usual factors – location, complexity of the job, amount of prep required, thickness of asphalt, and size of the area, to name a few. The cost averages out at around £50-£70 per square meter, covering materials and labour.
However, to get an exact quote for your tarmac driveway, we’ll need to conduct a consultation and free site visit.
Book a FREE site visit to get an exact quote for your tarmac driveway here.
Our Driveway Surface Types
Resin Bound
If you’re after a resin bound driveway, our expert team are at your service. Find out more below.
Tar & Chip
If you want a tar and chip driveway, get in touch with the experts. Find out more by clicking below.
Gravel
A gravel driveway can be an ideal, cost-effective option to put the finishing touches on your home.
Asphalt
Asphalt driveways are a great option for their durability, versatility, and clean aesthetic.
Tarmac
Over 40 years we’ve put the finishing touches on hundreds, if not thousands, of tarmac driveways
Resurfacing
Our skilled team is committed to delivering high-quality, durable resurfacing solutions.
What Our Customers Say About Our Tarmac Driveway Services:
Our teams cover the whole of East Anglia
For over 40 years we have offered a wide range of driveway surfacing and resurfacing services throughout East Anglia. We pride ourselves on offering good advice and great value to all of our clients, whether it be a small job or large contract.
We work across
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Essex
- Cambridgeshire
- Lincolnshire
- Bedfordshire
- Hertfordshire
- London
Design Consultation
Our experts will visit the site and give you a free design consultation, where you can lay out all requirements, before we give you a detailed on-the-spot quote.
Full Hassle-Free Service
Once the quote has been agreed, our team carry out a full service on your agreed date, from surface preparation, to laying the surface, to clearing up behind ourselves.
Ongoing Maintenance
Although our goal is to ensure your surfaces last so long that you don't need to see us again, we offer ongoing maintenance packages to ensure longevity at a lower cost.
Tarmac Driveway FAQs
What is tarmac?
Tarmac, short for tarmacadam, is a type of road surfacing material. The name derives from John Loudon McAdam, who designed the macadam road construction method in the early 19th century, which involved laying crushed stone in tight layers and compacting them.
What's the difference between tarmac and asphalt?
While tarmac and asphalt are similar in appearance and both are usually used for pavements, driveway surfaces, and roads, they aren’t the same. 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.
How long does tarmac take to dry?
Tarmac, once fully laid, takes about 2-3 days to dry fully. It’s critical, therefore, that you don’t park any vehicles on it for at least 48 hours to ensure that you get a nice, smooth finish which lasts the distance.
Is tarmac permeable?
No. Standard tarmac is generally not permeable. This is because its surface is made up of small stones and tiny pieces of concrete bound together using a tar-like material which creates a solid, dense layer when laid down. This can contribute to runoff, so adequate drainage is a must if tarmac is your material of choice.
There are permeable variants of tarmac available, but these generally come with a much higher cost due to the more expensive materials used and more complicated installation process.
How much is tarmac per square meter?
The cost of tarmac per square meter 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 £40-60 per square meter.
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 tarmac surface.
Is tarmac cheaper than block paving?
Yes, tarmac is a generally cheaper surface to lay than block paving. This is due to its simpler installation process, relatively inexpensive materials, and more limited options for customisation.
Block paving, whilst much more expensive initially, requires less maintenance and are generally easier to repair. It also allows for a lot more customisation for a personalised finish.
Can tarmac driveways be laid in the rain?
Generally, we’ll avoid laying tarmac on a rainy day so this surface can be quite weather-dependent. This is because it compromises the binding quality of the tar, traps moisture (which leads to premature cracking), reduces compaction, and is generally less safe due to the muddy, slippery conditions rain creates.
This is why we generally carry out the majority of these jobs in the relatively (stress on relatively) dry spring and summer months.
How long does a tarmac driveway last?
We generally say that, on average, you can expect about 15-20 years of use out of a well-installed tarmac driveway from GB Driveways. These can last up to 25 years with a little bit of maintenance.
However, the lifetime of a tarmac surface can vary due to a variety of factors, such as the type of surface we’re talking about, the amount of use it gets, the initial materials used, and how much TLC it gets in the form of patching up cracks and resurfacing.
