Tarmac or Block Paving: Which Is Best for Your New Driveway?
Choosing a surface for a new driveway is an important decision. As well as affecting the appearance of the front of your property, the material you select will influence maintenance, drainage, installation, durability and how comfortably the driveway accommodates regular vehicle use.
Tarmac and block paving are two of the most widely considered options. Both can create an attractive, practical and long-lasting driveway when installed correctly, but they offer noticeably different finishes.
Understanding the advantages of each material can help you decide which is most suitable for your property, preferences and available space.
What Is a Tarmac Driveway?
A tarmac driveway has a smooth, dark and relatively uniform surface. The material is laid while hot, levelled to the required falls and then thoroughly compacted.
Modern tarmac or asphalt can be used for driveways of different shapes and sizes. It is equally suited to modest residential entrances, large forecourts, private roads, parking areas and commercial access routes.
The uncomplicated finish works particularly well where the priority is creating a neat, durable surface without introducing a detailed pattern across the entire driveway.
What Is a Block-Paved Driveway?
Block paving is created using individual paving blocks arranged across a carefully prepared base. The blocks are available in various shapes, tones, sizes and styles, allowing the appearance of the driveway to be tailored to the property.
Traditional red and brindle blocks can complement older brick homes, while grey, charcoal and natural shades can suit more contemporary buildings.
Block paving can also be arranged in different patterns, with contrasting borders used to define parking spaces, entrances, pathways or decorative features. Professional patio and paving installation can therefore offer considerable flexibility where appearance and detailing are particularly important.
Which Driveway Looks Better?
There is no single answer because the most attractive option will depend on the property and the desired result.
Tarmac creates a simple and understated appearance. It can make a large driveway feel clean and uncluttered, particularly when combined with defined brick or stone edging. It may also allow gates, planting and architectural features to become the main visual focus.
Block paving provides more scope for colour, texture and pattern. It may be preferable when the homeowner wants the driveway itself to form a prominent part of the overall exterior design.
The best result is usually achieved by considering the house, boundary walls, paths, entrance gates and surrounding garden together. A professionally planned hard landscaping scheme can ensure the driveway complements the whole property rather than appearing as an isolated feature.
Which Is Better for a Large Driveway?
Tarmac is often a strong choice for large driveways, extensive parking areas and long access routes. Its smooth appearance can cover a substantial area without making the design feel overly busy.
Professional asphalt surfacing can be completed using specialist paving machinery in open areas, alongside hand laying around kerbs, inspection covers and detailed edges.
Block paving can also be installed across a large driveway, but the greater number of individual components makes it a more detailed installation. On a substantial area, the choice of colour and pattern must also be considered carefully to avoid creating an overly dominant appearance.
Some properties benefit from combining the two. A tarmac surface with a block-paved border, entrance apron or pathway can provide the efficiency and simplicity of tarmac while introducing additional character.
Which Surface Requires More Maintenance?
Neither material should require excessive maintenance when it has been properly installed, although the type of care involved differs.
A tarmac driveway should be kept clear of leaves, soil and debris. Oil, fuel and chemical spills should be addressed promptly, while any cracks or damaged edges should be inspected before they worsen.
Block paving may require more attention to its joints. Wind-blown seeds can settle between blocks, sometimes resulting in weed or moss growth. Occasional cleaning and replacement of jointing sand may therefore be necessary.
The advantage of block paving is that individual damaged or stained blocks may sometimes be lifted and replaced. Repairs to tarmac tend to involve patching or resurfacing the affected area, which may remain slightly visible depending on the age and condition of the surrounding surface.
Which Driveway Is More Durable?
Both tarmac and block paving can provide many years of dependable use. The quality of the installation is generally more important than the surface material alone.
A driveway must be designed around the expected traffic. A residential driveway used by one or two cars will have different requirements from an entrance regularly used by vans, delivery vehicles or heavier commercial traffic.
The construction beneath the visible surface is crucial. Professional groundworks may include excavation, levelling, sub-base installation and thorough compaction.
If the supporting layers are unsuitable, even a high-quality surface may begin to sink, move or deteriorate. Correct preparation gives either tarmac or block paving a stable foundation and helps distribute the weight of vehicles more effectively.
How Important Is Driveway Drainage?
Drainage should form part of the driveway design from the beginning, regardless of which surface is selected.
Tarmac is generally an impermeable surface, so the finished levels must direct rainwater towards an appropriate outlet, drainage channel or permeable area.
Standard block paving is also usually treated as impermeable, although permeable block-paving systems are available. These use a specially designed construction that allows water to filter through the joints and supporting layers.
The right drainage solution will depend on the size of the driveway, surrounding ground conditions, property levels and the direction in which rainwater naturally travels.
Poorly managed water can create puddles, affect the driveway edges or flow towards buildings and neighbouring land. Careful surveying and preparation are therefore essential before either surface is installed.
Which Option Is Quicker to Install?
Once the preparation work has been completed, tarmac can often be laid efficiently across a large open area. However, the full installation still involves excavation, sub-base construction, drainage and edging.
Block paving usually requires more individual placement and finishing work. Each section must be laid accurately to maintain the chosen pattern and consistent joint spacing.
A realistic timescale should be based on the entire project rather than simply the final surface. Accessibility, driveway size, excavation requirements, existing materials, drainage work and weather conditions can all influence the schedule.
How Do the Costs Compare?
Tarmac is frequently viewed as a cost-effective choice, especially for a larger area. Block paving may involve higher material and labour costs because of the number of individual blocks and the time required to lay them.
However, driveway quotations should be compared carefully. A lower price may reflect differences in excavation depth, sub-base materials, drainage provision, edging or disposal of the existing surface.
The overall price may also be affected by:
- The total driveway area
- Site access and machinery requirements
- The amount of excavation needed
- The condition of the existing ground
- Drainage and level changes
- Decorative borders and entrance details
- Steps, walls, paths or landscaping work
A detailed quotation should explain what preparation and finishing work is included, not only the cost of the visible surface.
Can Tarmac and Block Paving Be Combined?
Combining the materials is an effective way to balance practicality with decorative detail.
A block border can create a strong edge around a tarmac driveway and provide a clear division between the driveway, lawn and flower beds. Blocks may also be used around drainage channels, at the entrance or to create a path to the front door.
Complementary brickwork can be incorporated through entrance piers, retaining walls, raised beds or boundary features. Using related materials and colours across these elements can create a consistent design.
The combination must be properly planned, particularly where the different materials meet. Solid edging and a stable base help keep the finished lines neat and prevent movement.
Is Tarmac or Block Paving Better for a Traditional Property?
Either material can complement a traditional house.
Block paving can reproduce the warmth and detail associated with brick and stone architecture. Choosing subtle, weathered or natural colours may help a new driveway settle into an established setting.
Tarmac offers a restrained finish that can work well with older houses, rural properties and substantial front gardens. Stone kerbs, reclaimed-style bricks, timber gates or carefully designed planting can soften the surface and connect it to the surrounding landscape.
Alternative finishes may also be worth considering. The wider range of surfacing services available includes resin bound, Breedon gravel and tar-and-shingle surfaces, each of which provides a different appearance.
Which Driveway Should You Choose?
Tarmac may be the better option when you want:
- A smooth and simple finish
- An efficient solution for a large area
- A practical surface for regular vehicle use
- A driveway that can be enhanced with contrasting borders
Block paving may be more suitable when you want:
- A decorative surface with greater design flexibility
- A choice of colours, textures and laying patterns
- Defined parking bays or detailed entrance features
- The ability to replace individual blocks if necessary
Your decision should also take account of drainage, ground conditions, vehicle use, maintenance expectations and the style of the property.
Looking through completed driveway case studies can provide useful ideas and demonstrate how different materials work in real settings.
Professional Driveway Installation from R. Exall & Sons
R. Exall & Sons provides driveway, paving, groundwork and surfacing services for residential and commercial properties across Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
Every element can be managed as part of one coordinated project, from excavation and drainage to edging and final surfacing. This makes it possible to design a driveway around the practical needs of the property while achieving a finish that enhances its overall appearance.
To discuss tarmac, block paving or another suitable surface for your new driveway, contact R. Exall & Sons or call 01342 842208 to request a free, no-obligation quotation.
