Driveway - which finish would you go for?

just do it

Folks
I was all set to get tarmacadam finish to my driveway when a lad I trust suggested I should put in concrete rather than tarmacadam.

Why? Better wearing and tidier when done well.

What's your thoughts?

nulabert

Poor workmanship in concreting can look terrible. Putting down open texture macadam is fairly straight forward and you shouldn't have drainage problems.

Supertech

...... as long as you use a reputable tarmac contractor. Plent of horror stories out there from people stung by cowboys who sprang up in the past.

Make sure the driveway base is well compacted and that there are enough drainage gullies and you should be OK with the tarmac.

I'd agree on the concrete - poor finish looks awful and takes from house/garden etc.
I've concrete in my place, and the recent snow followed by rain has wrecked the surface of it.

jj build

Be carfull if you are getting tarmac as in who does it. it can fall apart an weeds can grow trough it if not done rite.

kboc

tarmac all day every day

Akey Mullinz

My own tarmacadam was put down by a very reputable contractor 15 years ago . It looked excellent for a number of years and was great when the kids were growing up it was the ideal finish but in the last 3 / 4 years it is looking a bit jaded , so later this year I intend taking it up and putting down gravel .
Akey

just do it

Thanks for replies, tarmac is winning out.

I've been looking at driveways for the last week and two things stike me about tarmac. It settles out over time and as there is only a slight gradient on my drive I fear I'll end up with puddles. The second thing is after around 10-12 years it seems to start unravelling.

Good concrete yards however seem to hold an even surface and are longer lasting.

So what's the story with tarmac. Does it start to unravel after a few years?

tred

just do it wrote: »

Thanks for replies, tarmac is winning out.

I've been looking at driveways for the last week and two things stike me about tarmac. It settles out over time and as there is only a slight gradient on my drive I fear I'll end up with puddles. The second thing is after around 10-12 years it seems to start unravelling.

Good concrete yards however seem to hold an even surface and are longer lasting.

So what's the story with tarmac. Does it start to unravel after a few years?

Asthetically I am not sure how a concrete drive would look?. Gravel, a disaster if youhave nice wooden floors!!!...as u drag in half the yard on a daily basis

turnfan

What about posh rounded stones? They look and Sound lovely.....

Gulliver

Coming from the country, I think I'd prefer tarmac over concrete as with the concrete I'd be looking out expecting to see cattle! Also, you can always touch up the tarmac with a special paint if it gets tired looking.

What about paving? I have seen it used in places where there would be more vehicular traffic than around a house and it seems to have held up. Maybe that was special stuff?