A common question we get asked here at Allmac is whether a tarmac driveway is cheaper than a
concrete driveway and the simple short answer to this is yes.
If you are looking to relay your driveway, we will have a look at the pros and cons for both tarmac
and concrete to help you decide which is best for your driveway and requirements.
Tarmac driveways are often thought to be a much more classic look for a driveway rather than
concrete however, concrete driveways these days are more customisable and you can
recreate a tarmac look using concrete. However, concrete driveways are notably more expensive for
installation and for maintenance. The repairs for a concrete driveway are often more complicated
than the repairs on a tarmac driveway.
Concrete driveways do however seem to last slightly longer than a tarmac driveway, but this is only
very minimal. The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Comparisons to help you decide between a concrete and tarmac driveway include:
Cost of installation – Tarmac is one of the cheapest materials that you can choose for a
driveway installation with concrete costing notably more.
Appearance – Tarmac is a standard look and finish for a driveway and is a classic finish, it is
known to be able to withstand stains well. Concrete can be stained and stamped to offer
different looks however this is more expensive and harder to repair.
Maintenance – Tarmac driveways do require maintenance and will require resealing once
every few years. Concrete driveways do require less maintenance.
Repairs – Tarmac driveways are easily repaired, and holes and cracks can be sealed easily
and low in cost. Tarmac driveways are also able to withstand the most extreme
temperatures. Repairs on concrete driveways are expensive and much more difficult and it is
usually easier to replace a concrete driveway than repair it.
Lifespan – If you maintain your driveway well a tarmac driveway will last around 20-30 years.
Concrete driveways do have a longer lifespan of around 40 years.
If you have a driveway need or want to know more about tarmac driveways the team here at Allmac
can help with all of your questions. Give us a call today for more information.