What’s the difference between a tarmac & resin bound driveway surface?

Resin bound and tarmac paving are two hugely popular choices of driveway surface material, and are commonly used in car parks and private driveways. Despite their equal popularity the two surface options are actually quite different. If you’re currently deciding between the two, we wanted to go through these differences so that you can make the most informed decision.

What is a resin bound surface?

This is a really unique type of surface material, which essentially acts as a glue or adhesive, that works to bind itself together, in order to create a smooth and perfectly even driveway surface. As opposed to a tarmac surface, which is a specific type of material in and of itself, resin can actually be customised. You can tailor resin to have different colour combinations and materials. A resin bound driveway surface is usually created from a combination of gravel, stone, marble and other various rock types. Resin can also be manipulated to craft various designs, such as logos, which makes it ideal for both a personal driveway surface and for a company car park. The surface allows water to drain away easily, it’s also incredibly long lasting and highly durable. It’s easy to adhere to any existing surface as well, which means vehicles are able to easily and frequently drive across it.

What is a tarmac surface?

This type of driveway surface material is actually made up of a combination of tar and stone. It’s very durable and is able to endure extensive amounts of pressure on a frequent basis, which is just one reason why it’s such a popular choice for private driveways and car parks. The fact that this surface material is a combination of small broken stone and tar pieces makes it incredibly easy and quick to lay. When laid by experienced driveway surface professionals, tarmac can be the perfect flat surface for vehicles to frequently drive over. It’s also one of the most malleable choices of surface material around, and it can be laid on its own or on top of other materials, such as concrete. This can be very beneficial when you want to create an even more long lasting flat surface that’s ideal for footfall and vehicles.

Which of these surfaces is right for you?

In truth, both of these driveway surface options are great choices, which can make choosing between them very difficult. It’s important to carefully assess your specific requirements, as both options are highly durable and simple to lay. Tarmac may be ideal if you’re looking for a surface option that’s more budget friendly, whereas resin bound can be great if you’re looking for something you can really customise with different colour and design options. For more information, our experts at Premier Surfacing can provide you with all you need to know when it comes to driveway surface options. If you don’t know where to start with resin bound, tarmac or any other surface option, simply get in touch. We’ll be more than happy to offer you our advice and/or ideas and work with you to plan and design the perfect surface for your property. We’ll be happy to visit your property and provide you with a free quotation.