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Tarmac driveways in Worthing
Usually the lowest cost hard surface, quick to lay and good for larger areas.
What is it?
A tarmac driveway is a layer of hot asphalt, usually a base course and a finer surface course, spread over a compacted stone sub base and rolled flat. It is the same kind of material used on roads, laid to a lighter specification for cars.
Why people choose it
- Usually the lowest cost hard surface per m²
- Quick to lay, often finished in a day or two
- Smooth, quiet and easy to sweep or clear of leaves
- Suits large drives and long runs to a garage
Things to watch
- Standard tarmac is not permeable, so drainage has to be planned for a front garden
- Can soften in hot weather and mark under jacks or stands
- Less design choice than block paving or resin, mostly black or red
- Edges need proper kerbs or edging, or they crumble
Rough cost
| Indicative price | £45 to £80 per m² supplied and laid |
|---|---|
| Typical time on site | 1 to 3 days once booked |
Digging out an old surface, drainage, dropped kerbs and difficult access all add to the price. Use the cost guide for a rough figure, then get a firm price from a site visit.
Questions
Is a tarmac driveway permeable?
Standard tarmac is not. The water must not run onto the pavement or road, so it needs to fall to a lawn or border, or to a linear channel drain at the boundary feeding a soakaway. Porous asphalt is the permeable alternative.
How long does a tarmac driveway last?
Laid on a proper sub base, a tarmac driveway typically lasts 15 to 20 years. Edges and a well compacted base make the biggest difference.
Is tarmac the same as asphalt?
For a driveway the words are used for the same thing: a mix of stone and bitumen laid hot and rolled. Most installers today lay asphalt and still call it tarmac.