Tarmac Road Surfacing

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: www.lslsurfacing.co.uk/blog/article/tarmac-road-surfacing

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.

Tell Us About Your Project

At LSL Surfacing, we have worked with clients on driveway projects across East Anglia for over 30 years. Our experienced and highly skilled team can answer all your driveway related questions, please get in touch today.