01223 420369
ben@lslsurfacing.co.uk
Almost all roads, private driveways, public streets, and motorways in the UK are made of tarmac or asphalt. Tarmac was first introduced in 1902, and in 2024, over 95% of roads are made of this material. Tarmac road surfacing has grown in popularity in the UK for several reasons: it’s more cost-effective than concrete, and it can withstand heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions.
Tarmac surface dressing is also low-maintenance and can be installed faster than other materials, making it favourable for both public and private roads.
If you’re considering building up a tarmac driveway for your home, you need to weigh in on the tarmac driveway pros and cons.
In this post, we discuss some common myths about tarmac road surfacing and shed light on the truth about tarmac driveway construction.
Myth #1: It’s Only for Heavy-Traffic Roads
It is true that tarmac surface dressing is extremely popular for building high-traffic roads like highways, but it can also be used for private roads and driveways.
Tarmac surface dressing is a popular choice among homeowners because of its many benefits, like durability and resistance to erratic UK weather conditions. Asphalt (tarmac) can also be used in low-traffic public areas, like car parks, cycle lanes, footpaths, and playgrounds.
Tarmac surface dressing is a great choice for farm tracks, as it can withstand the weight of heavy moving vehicles like tractors, trucks, and other farm machinery.
Myth #2: It’s Hard to Maintain
This is one of the biggest myths that we want to dispel. Tarmac is one of the easiest materials to maintain, much easier than concrete. Asphalt is easy to maintain because of the following reasons:
Tarmac needs very few repairs because it’s a highly flexible material. It can expand and contract without forming cracks.
Even if cracks appear on tarmac road surfacing, the repair process is easy and cost-effective. Tarmac road resurfacing can be done easily without full replacement of the whole road.
Tarmac is a weather-resistant material and can withstand the extreme weather conditions experienced in the UK, such as heavy rainfall and below-freezing temperatures.
Myth #3: It Doesn't Last Long
Tarmac surface dressing is highly durable. Whether you use it on public roads or private driveways, Tarmac is highly resistant to wear and tear. This is possible because it equally distributes the weight of heavy vehicles, reducing stress on any single point.
During tarmac driveway construction, bitumen is used as an aggregate material. This makes the surface more flexible and durable. Additionally, road surfacing with tarmac offers a very smooth surface for cars to drive on and reduces friction between the road surface and the wheels. This reduces the stress that’s often experienced on road surfaces and is one of the primary reasons for roads to break down.
Myth #4: Tarmac and Tar and Chip are the Same
Many homeowners and contractors confuse tarmac and tar and chip. Here are the key differences between the two:
| Category |
Tarmac |
Tar and Chip |
| Material |
Tarmac surface dressing is a material made from mixing aggregates like crushed stone/gravel and bitumen.
|
Tar and chip surfacing involves spreading a layer of hot tarmac/asphalt on the road surface and then sprinkling it with broken pieces of stone chips.
|
| Appearance |
Roads that have tarmac road surfacing have a smooth and uniform appearance.
|
Roads with tar and chip surfacing have a rougher and textured appearance. |
| Durability |
Tarmac surfacing road is highly durable and long-lasting, and requires minimum maintenance.
|
Tar and chip road surfacing can’t withstand heavy traffic, and chips may come loose after some time. |
| Traction |
Offers a smooth surface even in wet conditions. making it safer for vehicles during heavy rain.
|
A rough texture is formed due to the use of gravel, having damaging effects on car tyres but offering a good grip, especially during winters when the roads are ice-covered. |
Myth #5: It’s Bad for the Environment
Homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of certain building materials we use. Some people are raising concerns about using tarmac driveway build up for their homes, as there’s a popular misconception that tarmac road surfacing isn’t environmentally friendly.
Tarmac is actually one of the most commonly recycled construction materials. You can instruct your contractors to use Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and warm-mix asphalt, which are more sustainable than regular tarmac.
Tarmac roads are designed with a proper drainage system, which reduces run-offs and prevents flooding of surrounding areas.
Looking for Tarmac Road Resurfacing for Your Driveway? Choose LSL Surfacing
Tarmac road resurfacing is becoming increasingly popular among home and farm owners in the UK. The many benefits of tarmac outweigh any potential drawbacks.
At LSL Surfacing, we have helped resurface dozens of residential roads across the country, including in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Bedfordshire. Our extensive experience ensures that all your residential roads are of the highest quality.
Apart from tarmac road surfacing, we offer other services including path resurfacing, golden chipping, and hot tar applications. As well as resurfacing residential roads, we also work on bigger projects, such as school playgrounds, car parks, and public road construction.
Call us on 01223 420369 or 07899 756373 for more information.
