Two courses, not one
Road and drive tarmac is laid in at least two courses. The binder course is coarser and takes the load; the surface course is finer and gives the smooth finish. A single thin layer over loose fill is the classic sign of a cut-price job.
Edging
The edges of a tarmac drive are its weak point. Block or concrete kerb edging, set in concrete, stops the tarmac spreading and crumbling at the sides. It also gives a neat line against lawns and borders.
Replacing concrete on the estates
Many homes on the estates built across the former airfield from the 1960s still have their original concrete drives. Breaking these out and laying tarmac on a fresh sub-base is one of the most common jobs in Thornaby, and often the cheapest way to get a sound, smart drive. See replacing a concrete drive.
Costs
| Item | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Tarmac drive | about £90 per m² |
| 30m² drive | about £2,700 |
Source: Checkatrade, April 2026. Larger drives cost less per m².
Porous tarmac
Porous or open-graded tarmac lets water through into a stone base. It keeps a front drive within the drainage rules without channels, and it makes a good base if you later want a resin finish.
Colour and finish
Black is standard. Red tarmac costs more but can lift a long drive. Chippings rolled into the surface add grip on a slope.
Doorstep offers
Leftover tarmac offered "cheap, today only" is a well-known warning sign. A proper job needs a planned sub-base, edging, a written quote and a business you can contact afterwards.
Common questions
How long does tarmac last?
Around 15 to 20 years on a good base.
Is it soft in hot weather?
New tarmac can mark under turning wheels in heat for the first weeks. Avoid power steering on the spot.
Can tarmac go over my concrete?
Sometimes as an overlay on sound concrete, but cracks often reflect through. Breaking out is more reliable.
Do I need planning permission?
Not if it is porous or drains into the garden.