To Tarmac or Pave, That is the Question...

When it comes to your property and home improvements, you want to know that whatever you invest, it's going to have a positive impact on your life and property value. If you are considering updating your driveway, then it's likely that you'll have investigated the available options - so here's a quick pros and cons guide to our most popular driveway solutions.

Tarmac is also known as asphalt

A tarmac surface we did for a client in April 2019

Asphalt aka Tarmac

Tarmac is actually a brand name - asphalt is the name of the substance. It's a mix of bitumen with sand, gravel and crushed stone and is most commonly used for road construction. It also makes a nice, even surface for a driveway. It's got lots of pro's; it's most certainly a cost effective solution, it's quick to install and it's durable. That said, we can't stress enough how important it is to use a reputable company (ahem...us), as poorly laid tarmac is prone to sinking, cracking and causing drainage issues. The sub-base is what really counts, and you do need to know your stuff to get that right. Good job we're experts, hey?

A patterned brick paved driveway

Crazy for Paving

Block paving will always be a firm Castlemain favourite; it looks beautiful when it is finished and just sets off the frontage of a home. We've seen first hand how 'curb appeal' can impact a house's saleability, so if you're looking to sell in the future, a block paved driveway is worth considering. Let's start with the pro's.

It's as unique as you are.

There's a vast selection of pavers out there, from natural sandstone, cobblestone and bluestone to man made concrete, brick and rubber. We can create patterns, features and uniform styles - so you can set the tone for your home.

Lifetime durability

Paving will last and last - and even if you find that a paver gets cracked or damaged (accidents happen), it's a fairly straightforward job to swap it out.

But what about the cons?

In all honesty, there aren't many. Cost is the main difference; a quality block paved project takes skill and experience, and that comes with a price. It's more expensive than tarmac, but at Castlemain Groundworks, we pride ourselves on how reasonable our costs are. We will NEVER compromise on the quality of a project, so you know that you're in safe hands with us. And you know what the saying is...you pay peanuts...