Driveways are an essential part of a property’s exterior, and unlike regular roads, they can be customized by homeowners to match their style. Considering their purpose, which is basically provide parking space, driveways hold a significant influence on a property’s kerb appeal, and since they are often located at the front of a building, their design options should be carefully thought out to meet both functionality and aesthetic requirements. Choosing the right driveway design can be somewhat problematic considering the plethora of choices available.
Taking into account the various pros and cons of having a particular driveway design installed helps to whittle down these options to find the right fit. In this article, we have compiled an all you need to know guide on resin-bound Vs. tarmac driveways which we hope will help you make an informed decision about getting your money’s worth.
Resin-bound driveways
Grey resin driveways have become increasingly popular among homeowners, and with good reason. Resin-bound driveways are made from a mixture of clear resin with high-quality aggregates like recycled glass, marbles or stones trowelled onto a prepared sub-base. This driveway design is aesthetically satisfying, highly practical, SUDS compliant, durable and a low-cost choice for transforming your home.
Tarmac driveway
Tarmac (short for tarmacadam) driveways are created from pulverized stones rolled and bound by a combination of tar and bitumen. Tarmac driveways have a high resistance when it comes to holding the weight of heavy vehicles, which makes them the ideal choice for roads, airport runways and car parks. The greatest advantage of this driveway is that its source materials can be recycled (it can be used many times).
Although both resin-bound and tarmac are two highly popular driveway materials, they do have distinctive differences, which we will take a look at below.
Durability
While tarmac driveways are able to withstand the weight and pressure of heavy vehicles, it is not as resistant as it once was. In today’s market, the materials used for making tarmac are not of the same quality as they used to be. Thus, driveways made from this material may be susceptible to cracks and holes whenever there is a change in climate or temperature. Resin-bound driveways, on the other hand, are highly durable and can last up to 25 years when properly installed and maintained. The materials used are high-quality aggregates (recycled glass, marbles and stones) bonded between the resin which means that its surface will be able to resist penetration by weeds or cracking when the temperature changes.
Aesthetics
Resin-bound driveways can be customised to fit the owner’s style as its aggregate materials come in a wide variety of colours, textures and finishes. Tarmac, on the other hand, does not proffer the same creative flexibility as the colour options and texture are limited.
Costs
Because of their durability, water-proof and hard-wearing properties, resin-bound driveways typically require very little maintenance after installation, which is a lot more cost-effective as opposed to tarmac driveways which tend to require further maintenance over time due to weathering. Also, when it comes to installation, resin-bound driveways can be directly applied onto solid surfaces cutting costs on groundwork which is also necessary when installing tarmacs.
Eco-friendliness
As we mentioned earlier, tarmac driveways tend to melt in hot temperatures, which makes them not very eco-friendly as this can cause injury to people or pets. Resin-bound driveways are much more stable to changing weather conditions presenting little to no changes with time making it the safest option for people. Resin-bound driveways are also porous and highly permeable, so puddles of water can be drained naturally, thus eliminating the need for any surface maintenance.
Conclusion:
While both resin-bound and tarmac driveways are great driveway options, resin-bound driveways have to take the win here. This is because they present greater opportunities to you, from being cost-effective and durable to being eco-friendly and having more aesthetic diversity.
