Driveway Ideas

Comparing driveway materials to help you choose the right one

Tarmac is a long-standing, cost-effective choice — typically £45-£65 per square metre — and a well-installed tarmac driveway usually lasts 12 to 20 years, coping well with heavy daily use. Asphalt is a more modern relation to tarmac, made from bitumen and stone rather than tar, and tends to offer a smoother, more weather-resistant surface with fewer gaps for weeds, roots or water to get in — it can also be reprocessed and reused, unlike tarmac. Resin bound surfacing gives a smooth, SUDs-compliant finish that drains naturally, but it's more complex to install properly, needs an experienced contractor, and can develop moss or slippery patches if it isn't cleaned regularly.

Block paving costs more upfront than most alternatives but is genuinely built to last, is highly resistant to oil, chemicals and frost, and is straightforward to repair — if one area is damaged, you simply lift and replace those blocks rather than the whole surface. Concrete, meanwhile, remains one of the most affordable options for a durable, low-maintenance driveway, and can be stamped, dyed or textured if you want something more decorative than plain grey. Gravel sits at the cheaper end too, though it needs periodic topping up and isn't well suited to steep driveways, where loose stone tends to migrate downhill over time.

The right choice usually comes down to budget, how much traffic the driveway gets, and how much maintenance you're willing to do. Gravel and concrete tend to be the most affordable starting points, while resin bound, tarmac and asphalt sit at the higher end — though block paving often works out best value over time simply because of how long it lasts. If you'd like advice on which material suits your property, our landscaping team is happy to talk it through — get in touch for a free quote.