Get a FREE Quote
01438 487210
New tarmac driveway with a red block border in front of a semi-detached house
Paving & Landscaping Contractor

Tarmac Driveways in Stevenage

Get a smooth, hard-wearing surface that copes well with daily parking, finished with neat edging and priced clearly after a free visit to your home.

Call 01438 487210

Get a FREE Quote

Fill in the form and we'll get back to you shortly.

Step 1 of 2

Tarmac Surfacing

Tarmac Drives for Your Home

Tarmac, short for tarmacadam, is a blend of graded stone and bitumen laid hot and rolled flat. It gives a dense, continuous surface that handles the weight and turning of cars well, which is why it remains a popular choice on drives across Stevenage and Hertfordshire.

It is one of the more cost-effective ways to cover a large area, so it suits long drives, shared entrances and homes with parking for several vehicles. The black finish looks clean and plain, and a contrasting block edging adds definition without much extra cost.

Tarmac is also flexible to maintain. Small areas of wear can be patched, and when the time comes the whole surface can often be overlaid rather than dug out, provided the base underneath is still sound.

Get a FREE QuoteCall 01438 487210
New tarmac driveway with a kerb edge beside a lawn
New tarmac lane between hedges
Large new tarmac area beside a brick building
New tarmac driveway edged with granite setts in front of a garage
Tarmac Driveways: What's Included

What Tarmac Laying Covers

Tarmac relies on a firm base and good compaction to stay flat. On a typical drive, the installation includes each of the following parts of the job.

  • Removing the old surface and any soft ground
  • A weed-killer treatment before the base goes in
  • A Type 1 stone sub-base compacted in layers
  • Edging set in concrete to contain the tarmac
  • A binder course laid and rolled to the right falls
  • A fine surface course rolled to a smooth finish
  • Sealed joints where new tarmac meets old surfaces
  • Ironwork and covers raised to the new level
Why Choose Us for Tarmac Driveways

Why Us for Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac is laid hot and has to be compacted before it cools, so planning matters. With an owner-run business, every question about the job goes to the person planning it.

New tarmac driveway through a wooded lane

Survey Before the Quote

A free site survey checks the ground, levels and edges, so the price you receive covers the base your drive really needs, not a guess.

Edging Ideas Included

Free design ideas cover edging colours and borders, which add a clean frame to a plain black tarmac finish at the front.

No Obligation to Buy

Take the quote, compare it and decide in your own time. Asking for a price never commits you to going ahead with work.

Made for Daily Parking

The base depth is matched to how many cars use the drive, so the surface is planned around real everyday loads.

Ready to Get Started?

Ring Herts Paving & Landscaping, or leave your details for a quote.

Get a FREE QuoteCall 01438 487210

Swipe to See More

More Driveway Services

Related Driveway Pages

Not settled on tarmac yet, or looking for care for an existing surface? Take a look at the other driveway services covered on this site.

Driveways by Herts Paving & LandscapingDriveways
New Driveways by Herts Paving & LandscapingNew Driveways
Block Paving by Herts Paving & LandscapingBlock Paving
Resin Bound Driveways by Herts Paving & LandscapingResin Bound Driveways
Gravel Driveways by Herts Paving & LandscapingGravel Driveways
Driveway Cleaning by Herts Paving & LandscapingDriveway Cleaning
Driveway Repairs by Herts Paving & LandscapingDriveway Repairs

Swipe to See More

Thinking About Tarmac?

Ring now, or leave a few details and a quote will follow.

Get a FREE QuoteCall 01438 487210
Tarmac Driveways: How It Works

How a Tarmac Drive Is Laid

Laying tarmac moves from preparation to rolling in a set order, and dry weather is preferred for the final layers.

1

Visit & Measure

Levels, access and the current surface are assessed, and edging choices are discussed so the quote reflects the full scope.

2

Clearing & Base Work

The old surface is broken out, the ground is treated for weeds and a stone sub-base is laid and compacted firm.

3

Laying & Rolling

Edging is fixed, then the binder and surface courses are laid hot and rolled to a dense, even finish with the right falls.

4

Tidy & Review

Excess material is cleared and the edges are checked. We review the completed work with you and confirm everything has been done as agreed.

Swipe to See More

Tarmac Driveways FAQs

Tarmac Driveway FAQs

What Is the Difference Between Tarmac & Asphalt?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Traditional tarmac bound stone with tar, while modern driveway surfacing uses bitumen, which is technically asphalt. In everyday use in the UK, both names describe the same black, hard-wearing surface found on most drives and roads today.

Can Tarmac Be Laid Over My Old Driveway?

If the existing surface is stable, with no deep cracks, sinking or soft areas, a new tarmac layer can sometimes be laid over it once the edges and levels are checked. Where the old drive has failed, or an overlay would bring the level too close to the damp-proof course, digging out is the better choice.

Is Coloured Tarmac Available?

Yes. Red and green tarmac are the most common alternatives to black, and they can be used for the whole drive or to mark out a parking bay or border. Coloured mixes usually cost more and can show tyre marks, so black remains the practical choice for most homes.

Why Does Tarmac Get Soft in Hot Weather?

Bitumen softens as it warms, so on very hot days a tarmac surface can scuff where tyres turn on the spot or where a car jack or motorbike stand presses down. Avoiding turning the wheel while stationary and spreading point loads with a board helps keep the surface free of marks.

Will Weeds Grow Through Tarmac?

Weeds can push through thin or cracked tarmac, especially at the edges. A weed treatment before the base is laid, a well-compacted sub-base and a sealed edge all reduce the risk. Any weeds that do appear are best removed while small, before the roots widen gaps in the surface.
Contact

Can't Find the Answer You're Looking For?

Get in touch with us today.

01438 487210Get a FREE Quote