Tarmac vs Resin – When it comes to upgrading your driveway, two of the most popular choices are tarmac and resin.
Both materials offer durability, style, and long lasting performance – but they differ in appearance, maintenance, and cost.
In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of tarmac driveways vs resin driveways, so you can choose the best option for your property moving forward.
What Is a Tarmac Driveway?
Tarmac (short for tarmacadam) is a mixture of crushed stone and tar, commonly used for driveway surfacing and road surfacing across the UK.
It’s known for its strength, affordability, and quick installation time.
Benefits of Tarmac:
- Cost effective: One of the most affordable driveway materials available.
- Quick to lay: Ideal for larger areas or when time is limited.
- Durable and hard wearing: Handles heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions well.
- Low maintenance: Occasional cleaning and resealing help maintain its finish.
Considerations:
- Limited design options: Usually available in black or red finishes, although more colours are becoming available.
- Heat sensitivity: Can soften slightly during hot weather.
- Cracks over time: May need patching or resurfacing after several years.
What Is a Resin Driveway?
Resin driveways use a blend of natural aggregate stones bound together with a UV-stable resin from manufacturers such as Daltex.
This blend is mixed together within an upright forced mixer and then laid by skilled trowel hands for a luxury finish.
This creates a smooth, attractive, and permeable surface that’s ideal for modern homes, commercial settings as well as parks, schools and other such like projects.
Benefits of Resin:
- Visually appealing: Wide range of colours, textures, and finishes to complement your home.
- Permeable surface: Allows water to drain naturally – ideal for sustainable drainage (SuDS compliance).
- Low maintenance: Resistant to weeds and doesn’t need frequent sealing.
- Durable and long lasting: Can last 15 – 20 years with proper care.
Considerations:
- Higher upfront cost: Resin bound surfacing can be more expensive initially than tarmac.
- Installation time: Requires dry weather and professional expertise for best results.
- Surface preparation: Existing driveways may need proper groundwork before application.
Tarmac vs Resin: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Tarmac Driveway | Resin Driveway |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower initial cost | Higher initial cost |
| Durability | 10 – 15 years | 15 – 20 years |
| Aesthetics | Limited colours | Wide colour range |
| Drainage | Non-permeable | Fully permeable |
| Maintenance | Occasional sealing | Minimal maintenance |
| Installation Time | Fast | Slightly longer |
Tarmac vs Resin – Which Driveway Surface Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on your budget, property style, and long term expectations as well as personal preferences.
Choose tarmac if you want a strong, budget friendly solution that’s quick to install with minimum inconvenience during install and easy to maintain.
Choose resin if you prefer a premium finish, modern appearance, and eco-friendly drainage but please also consider there will be around 24 hours before use to allow complete curing of the resin product to avoid any issues in the finished surface.
For many homeowners, resin bound driveways are the preferred option for curb appeal and long term value – while tarmac surfacing remains ideal for practical, high traffic areas in the tarmac vs resin battle.
Exceptional Driveway Installation in Essex, London, Hertfordshire and Kent
At Harrington Brothers Ltd, we specialise in driveway surfacing with finishes ranging from block paving, resin bound gravel, tarmac, shingle and more. Roadworks and contracting for local authorities is another area that we excel in across Essex, London, Hertfordshire and Kent, and the surrounding areas.
Whether you’re looking for a resin bound driveway, tarmac resurfacing, or commercial surfacing project, our experienced team delivers results built to last.
Get in touch today or request a call back from our skilled team for expert advice or a free quotation on your next driveway installation.
