Choosing a new driveway surface involves balancing appearance, practicality, maintenance, drainage and budget. Two increasingly popular options are traditional tarmac and resin-bound surfacing.
Both can create a durable, attractive driveway when supported by professional groundwork and installed to an appropriate specification. However, the two materials produce noticeably different finishes and may suit different types of property.
Understanding how tarmac and resin-bound driveways compare can help you choose a surface that works with your home, outdoor space and everyday requirements.
What Is a Tarmac Driveway?
A tarmac driveway is formed using hot asphalt, which is laid over a prepared foundation before being levelled and compacted.
The completed surface is smooth, dark and relatively uniform. It can be installed across driveways of different shapes and sizes, from compact residential entrances to larger forecourts and private access roads.
R. Exall & Sons uses modern asphalt paving equipment alongside professional hand-laying teams. This allows open areas to be surfaced efficiently while detailed sections around kerbs, edges and inspection covers can be carefully finished by hand.
What Is a Resin-Bound Driveway?
A resin-bound driveway is created by mixing natural aggregate with a clear resin before the combined material is applied to a suitable base.
This process produces a smooth, seamless surface with the appearance of natural stone. Different aggregate blends can be used to introduce variations in colour, texture and character.
R. Exall & Sons describes its resin-bound surfacing as fully permeable, hard-wearing and low maintenance. The company installs it for driveways, pathways, patios, courtyards and commercial areas.
Which Surface Offers More Design Choice?
Resin bound generally provides greater flexibility when colour and texture are important.
Aggregate blends are available in a variety of shades, allowing the driveway to complement brickwork, stonework, roof tiles, boundary walls and the surrounding garden. A lighter natural-stone blend may suit a traditional property, while grey or charcoal tones can work well with a contemporary home.
Different colours can also be used to create:
- Contrasting borders
- Defined pathways
- Parking areas
- Entrance details
- Decorative patterns
- Features around planting areas
Tarmac offers a more consistent dark finish. Although it provides less colour variation, its understated appearance can make a property entrance feel clean, organised and uncluttered.
Decorative blocks, stone kerbs or complementary brickwork can be used around a tarmac driveway to add definition and character.
Which Driveway Is Better for a Traditional Property?
Either material can work with a traditional home when the driveway is designed sympathetically.
Resin-bound surfacing can resemble loose natural gravel while providing a firmer and more consistent surface. This may make it attractive for older houses, cottages and rural properties where conventional black tarmac could appear too prominent.
The ability to select a warm or natural aggregate blend can help connect the driveway with existing stone, brick and landscaping.
Tarmac can also complement a traditional home, particularly when softened with natural stone edging, planted borders, timber gates or a carefully designed entrance.
Where appearance is especially important, a wider landscape design can consider the driveway, garden, walls, paths, lighting and planting as one coordinated scheme.
Which Is Better for a Contemporary Home?
Resin bound is often associated with contemporary driveway design because of its seamless appearance and range of modern aggregate colours.
A grey, silver or mixed-stone finish can complement rendered walls, porcelain paving and modern architecture. The same material can also continue into pathways or adjoining outdoor areas, creating a visually connected design.
Tarmac provides a bold contrast against pale render, contemporary brickwork and modern landscaping. Its simplicity can be particularly effective across a large entrance where a heavily patterned surface might make the area appear too busy.
Both materials can therefore suit a modern property. The better choice depends on whether you prefer a textured natural-stone appearance or a smooth, understated finish.
How Do Tarmac and Resin Bound Compare for Drainage?
Drainage is an important consideration for every new driveway.
A conventional tarmac surface does not normally allow water to pass directly through it. The driveway must therefore be constructed with appropriate levels and falls so rainwater travels towards a suitable outlet or permeable area.
This may involve drainage channels, gullies, pipework or soakaways. R. Exall & Sons provides professional groundwork and drainage services as part of its wider project capabilities.
A correctly installed resin-bound system can allow water to drain through the surface. However, the complete construction beneath it must also be suitable for a genuinely permeable installation.
The contractor should assess the ground conditions, existing base and surrounding levels before confirming the proposed drainage arrangement.
Which Surface Is Easier to Maintain?
Both tarmac and resin-bound driveways are relatively straightforward to maintain, but neither is completely maintenance free.
A tarmac driveway should be swept regularly to prevent leaves, soil and debris collecting around the edges or drainage channels. Oil and fuel spills should be addressed promptly, and small cracks or damaged areas should be inspected before they become more extensive.
Resin-bound surfacing also benefits from regular sweeping and occasional gentle cleaning. Organic matter should not be allowed to build up because damp leaves and soil can encourage moss or weed growth on top of the surface.
R. Exall & Sons highlights light cleaning as the principal routine maintenance requirement for its resin-bound surfaces.
The use of harsh chemicals or excessively aggressive pressure washing should be avoided unless the cleaning method has been confirmed as suitable for the surface.
Which Is More Durable?
Both surfaces can provide dependable long-term performance when correctly specified and installed.
The durability of a tarmac driveway depends on factors such as:
- The depth and stability of the sub-base
- The asphalt specification and thickness
- Effective compaction
- Vehicle type and frequency of use
- Drainage and surface levels
- Protection of the driveway edges
R. Exall & Sons places particular emphasis on correct levels, material thickness and compaction when completing its asphalt surfacing projects.
A resin-bound driveway also requires meticulous groundwork and a suitable base. Although the surface itself is hard-wearing, movement beneath it can cause problems if the supporting construction has not been prepared correctly.
The quality of the groundwork is therefore just as important as the material selected.
Which Is Better for Heavy or Frequent Vehicle Use?
Tarmac is a proven option for areas exposed to regular vehicle traffic. In addition to domestic driveways, asphalt is commonly used by R. Exall & Sons for roads, car parks, industrial yards and commercial developments.
This can make it particularly suitable for:
- Large family driveways
- Private access roads
- Properties regularly visited by delivery vehicles
- Commercial entrances
- Parking areas
- Larger forecourts
Resin bound can also be used for residential and commercial areas, provided the complete system has been designed for the expected load.
The contractor should be told if the driveway will regularly accommodate vans, motorhomes, trailers or other heavy vehicles. This allows the groundwork and surface specification to be designed accordingly.
Which Is Best for a Large Driveway?
Tarmac can be an effective option for a substantial driveway because it creates a smooth, consistent finish across a large area.
Machine laying may also help the installation progress efficiently where access and space allow. Decorative borders or entrance details can then be used to break up the surface and introduce additional character.
Resin bound can transform a large driveway into a prominent landscape feature. The natural aggregate appearance may soften an extensive parking area and complement surrounding gardens.
However, material choice, preparation and installation costs must all be considered. The most suitable option should be based on the complete project rather than appearance alone.
Can Tarmac and Resin Bound Be Used Together?
It may be possible to combine surfaces within a broader driveway and hard-landscaping project.
For example, tarmac might be used across the main vehicle area, while resin bound is introduced along pathways, around an entrance or within a defined feature area.
Combining materials can provide visual contrast, but the design must be carefully planned. Each surface may have different installation depths, supporting requirements and drainage characteristics.
Strong edging and neatly formed transitions help ensure the two materials meet cleanly and continue to perform as intended.
How Do the Costs Compare?
Tarmac is often considered a cost-effective surface, particularly for larger driveways and access routes. Resin bound may involve a higher initial investment because of the resin, decorative aggregate and detailed installation process.
However, the final price of either driveway will depend on more than the surface material.
Important cost factors include:
- The total area
- Existing driveway removal
- Excavation and waste disposal
- Ground conditions
- Sub-base construction
- Drainage work
- Site access
- Edging and borders
- Steps, walls or pathways
- The chosen surface specification
Quotations should be compared based on the complete construction. A lower price may reflect reduced groundwork, drainage or preparation rather than a less expensive version of an otherwise identical driveway.
Tarmac or Resin Bound: Which Should You Choose?
Tarmac may be the better option when you want a smooth, practical and understated driveway, particularly across a large area or one experiencing frequent vehicle traffic.
Resin bound may be more suitable when you want a decorative natural-stone appearance, greater colour choice and a permeable surface constructed as part of an appropriate drainage system.
Your decision should consider:
- The style and age of the property
- The size of the driveway
- Expected vehicle use
- Existing ground conditions
- Drainage requirements
- Maintenance preferences
- The available budget
- Surrounding paths and landscaping
Examples of completed driveway and landscaping projects can provide inspiration and help illustrate how different materials look in real settings. R. Exall & Sons’ published projects include a new resin-bound driveway and path created as a lower-maintenance alternative to loose shingle.
Professional Driveway Installation from R. Exall & Sons
Established in 1951, R. Exall & Sons is a fourth-generation family-run company providing surfacing, groundwork and hard-landscaping services across Surrey, Sussex and Kent. The company undertakes residential and commercial projects and manages work from the initial preparation through to final surfacing.
To discuss whether tarmac or resin bound is right for your property, contact R. Exall & Sons or call 01342 842208 to request advice and a quotation.
