Tarmac driveways in Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield.

Tarmac is hard-wearing and cost-effective, which makes it a sensible choice for larger or longer drives, where the area adds up quickly. It gives a clean, uniform finish that stands up to everyday parking and turning.

Gravel is the budget-friendly alternative and is fully permeable, so rain drains straight through it. Lucian talks you through which suits your drive, and your budget, at the free site visit.

A tarmac drive is only as good as what is underneath it, so most of the work happens before the tarmac arrives.

Excavation

We dig out the old surface and the ground beneath it to the depth the new drive needs.

Sub-base

A compacted stone sub-base goes down next. It carries the weight of the cars; a thin or poorly compacted base is why drives sink and crack.

Drainage

Standard tarmac does not let water through, so the drive is laid to a fall towards a channel drain, a soakaway or a lawn or border. We plan this before we start.

Laying

The tarmac is spread over the sub-base, levelled and rolled to a firm, even finish.

Edging

The edges are held by a firm restraint, such as 60 mm block paving, which stops the tarmac spreading and gives the drive a clean border.

Gravel is permeable, tarmac is not. Rain soaks through a gravel drive into the ground, while standard tarmac needs somewhere for the water to go, such as a channel drain, a soakaway or a lawn or border it can run onto.

That matters for planning. On a house, covering more than 5 m² of a front garden with a surface that drains onto the road needs planning permission, unless the rainwater runs to a lawn, border or soakaway on your own property. Gravel and other permeable surfaces normally do not need it. Flats, maisonettes and some local areas have different rules, so it is always worth checking with your council.

If the drive crosses a pavement or verge, you also need a dropped kerb approved by the highway authority, Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire County Council in our area.

Each surface suits a different drive. Here is how they compare.

Tarmac

Durable and economical, best for larger or longer drives. A clean, uniform finish that needs drainage planned in.

Gravel

The budget-friendly choice, and fully permeable, so rain drains straight through.

Block pavingarrow_forward

The classic choice, in many patterns and colours. Individual blocks can be lifted and relaid, so repairs are simple.

Resin boundarrow_forward

A seamless, smooth and permeable finish that is kind to feet, buggies and wheelchairs. It can be laid over a new tarmac base.