Tarmac, concrete or paved drive?

Muffin` · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:37

Tefal said:
good clean new black tarmac looks great, specially if you have a good lawn next to it.

I agree, it looks clean and professional. Concrete cutup can look rather impressive.

Mark A · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:37

Tefal said:
good clean new black tarmac looks great, specially if you have a good lawn next to it.

For all of 2 days then its grey again

. I know what you mean though, everybody used to get really excited at school when they resurfaced the yard, looked great for a few days then it was fully of muddy footprints again.

poopots · 2 Jan 2008 at 20:21

Don't get tarmac! It looks cheap and your neighbers will think you're cheap, since regardless of how much you pay, it'll still look like the local Gypo's have done it.

inferno · 2 Jan 2008 at 20:26

That patterned concrete looks awful it's shiny and looks cheap. Our neighbours have it in a shiny terracotta colour!

MHayes · 2 Jan 2008 at 20:35

So nothing is good then? :confused:

HangTime · 2 Jan 2008 at 21:07

Don't a drive myself, but my dad does. He had it paved a few years back and it looks terrific, a lot better than the old concrete.

Tefal · 2 Jan 2008 at 21:09

Mark A said:
For all of 2 days then its grey again . I know what you mean though, everybody used to get really excited at school when they resurfaced the yard, looked great for a few days then it was fully of muddy footprints again.

yup, I love brand new tarmac

BigBoy · 2 Jan 2008 at 21:52

If you have vehicles sat on tarmac for a long period the tarmac will sink. And If you break or turn sharply you will pull it and tear the tarmac no matter how thick the tarmac is.

Concrete is be best as is distributes the weight evenly, and with a ruffled surface will provide better traction when stopping and turning.

(Sorry im a geek when it comes to road and drive ways, I drive for a living and can tell the difference between surfaces in an instant.)

SexyGreyFox · 2 Jan 2008 at 21:58

Paddy McFlinty 07970 234765
Tarmac Extraordinaire

Fourstar · 2 Jan 2008 at 21:58

Scuzi said:
Don't use flagstones if you are parking cars on it. The flags will sink where the weight is on them and it will end up uneven and awful looking in no time. I personally would go with tarmac but brick paving also looks quite good.

Any finish, including tarmac and bricks, will subside without a proper sub-base. Flagstones are fine if correctly laid.

This site has a bunch of information on driveway materials:
http://www.pavingexpert.com/pavindex.htm