Driveway tarmac specs?

knightstyle

So we and neighbours want to improve the area in front of our garages, is tarmac the best/cheapest way?
Is there a trade body that covers small companies for this sort of job?
Are there any guidelines regarding thickness and type of tarmac needed?
Thanks in advance.

Stevie_Palimo

http://www.pavingexpert.com/tarmac01.htm

Ebe_Scrooge

Tarmac is probably the cheapest option, but in my opinion the "best" option is properly laid block paving - looks nicer and will last longer. But considerably more expensive than tarmac.


But that Paving Expert site that Stevie linked to is really useful, it tells you all you need to know about the various options.

phoenix_w

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

Tarmac is probably the cheapest option, but in my opinion the "best" option is properly laid block paving

I always thought this until I got some driveway quotes from general builders & driveway specialist, and all of them said that normal bog standard blacktop tarmac would cost as much as or more than block paving due to the extra labour to lay it (after laying & compacting the hardcore it would 2 days in total to do the first layer of tarmac and then top it off, vs. 1 day to lay the block paving).

We ended up having quite a large area paved. I was amazed how quickly they layed it.

phil24_7

Concrete would probably be the cheapest and easiest to do, followed by block/slab paving, followed by brick paving, followed by tarmac. 'Good' tarmac costs a lot, bad tarmac less so!

glasgowdan

Tarmac is far from cheap, especially for small jobs. I'd expect to pay less for a block paved driveway.

The benefit is that it's a very smooth uniform surface that's all but maintenance-free. Block paving will need sprayed for weeds, and occasionally washed/sanded.

Doozergirl

I'm another on the side of block paving being cheaper and nicely durable.

I do mean new block paving, but my current drive blocks are second hand. They came in two grab wagon loads, literally grabbed, driven from the next county and then dumped here. Paid about £200 from ebay. Not one paver broke! I can't remember the sq meterage now, but there's a lot, probably around 200. They can be lifted and relaid if the ground moves for any reason.

knightstyle

Well the price for 83sqM tarmac seems to be £3500.
Block paving needs deeper digging out and is £7500.
Concrete £4000.
Does this seem right?
Think we will just have to put up with the stones for a bit longer.

Furts

knightstyle wrote: »

Well the price for 83sqM tarmac seems to be £3500.
Block paving needs deeper digging out and is £7500.
Concrete £4000.
Does this seem right?
Think we will just have to put up with the stones for a bit longer.

That is a big drive, but also gives economies of scale. Hence your stone and sand would come direct from the quarry/recycle point at say £500 per lorry, a grab lorry or tipper would remove spoil at say £250 and the driveway blocks would come ex-works at say £1500.

However countless contractors would use the stone material that is already there which has a huge influence on the real costings. This is why a DIY route, or prepare it yourself becomes very attractive.

The block pave quote surprises me - why at such a premium? The logical answer is you have picked an expensive block.

With labour, profit, and all you would be expecting to budget at least £4000 for a drive such as yours.

knightstyle

The block was the cheapest out of the range we were shown. The extra was because they would have to use digging machinery to get deeper into the compacted chalk, with tarmac they would just remove the loose stones.
The driveway is share by four of us and is in front of a row of four garages.

phil24_7

A tramac drive need better preparation than any of the other options. It should be dug down, properly compacted with the correct materials and carefully laid and rollered. Concrete with reinforcement requires the least preparation, followed by large pavers (both of these spread the weight of vehicles better) followed by bricks (though these can be re-laid if the sink and sag) followed by tarmac.

If tarmac sags it looks terrible and there is no fix that looks good. It needs to be done right first off so that there are no issues down the line.

I want a tarmac drive but don't have the time/inclination/money for it to be done properly so I currently have a concrete one!