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What’s the Difference Between Tarmac and Asphalt?
The differences lie in the details
Photo: Owaki/Kulla / The Image Bank / Getty Images
Photo: Owaki/Kulla / The Image Bank / Getty Images
Highlights
Tarmac can only be applied as a hot mix, posing more restrictions on working conditions.
Asphalt is more durable and chemical resistant than tarmac.
Asphalt costs $2 to $6 per square foot, not including labor.
Tarmac is only suitable for small residential driveways whereas asphalt has more robust applications.
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Since tarmac and asphalt are both common materials for driveways, they naturally share many similarities. However, these two materials are fundamentally different. If you’re considering building a new driveway, you should learn the differences between the two most common driveway surface materials. This will help you choose the more suitable option based on your needs, location, climate, and budget.
What Are the Differences Between Tarmac and Asphalt?
Tarmac and asphalt are two of the most commonly used surface materials for driveways. However, they differ in composition, durability, appearance, application, and cost. The table below provides a glance over their different properties.
| Differences | Tarmac | Asphalt |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | A coarse, impermeable surface | Usually has a smoother finish, although porous and rough surfaces are also available. |
| Composition | A mixture of aggregates and tar. The modified tar serves as the binder. | A mixture of aggregates and bitumen, sometimes with add-mixtures and modifiers. Bitumen serves as the binder. |
| Durability | Fairly durable, but vulnerable to petrol and diesel spills | High strength and durability. Higher chemical resistance, but vulnerable to oil. |
| Cost | More cost-efficient for smaller driveways. | $2 to $6 per square foot. Higher-grade products will cost more. |
| Application | Mainly only good for small residential driveways and must be applied as a hot mix. | Can be used for residential driveways and public roads and parking lots. More robust in application as it can be used as a half-warm, warm, or hot mix. |
| Environment | Only recyclable as unbound aggregate or when it’s used in mineral cement emulsion mixtures. | Fully recyclable and can be reused |
Tarmac and Asphalt: Difference in Appearances
Photo: Willowpix / E+ / Getty Images
Looking from a distance, tarmac and asphalt driveways might appear similar. However, a closer look would reveal the details in front of your eyes.
Tarmac tends to have a coarse surface that may sometimes look uneven. Although the surface appears to be porous, tarmac is impermeable. Meanwhile, asphalt, by default, comes with a smoother finish. There are also porous and rough asphalt variations for those looking for a different texture.
Difference in Composition
Tarmac and asphalt are fundamentally different due to their compositions. Tarmac is a mixture of aggregates and tar, thus the name “tar-mac.” Tar, a natural black liquid, is extracted from large tar pits in the ground. Mixed with sand or crushed rocks, tarmac forms a bound and durable surface when compacted into one place.
Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates and bitumen, a thick, sticky, petroleum-based substance. Many asphalt products also add other modifiers to achieve specific properties.
Difference in Durabilities
Asphalt is stronger than tarmac due to bitumen’s flexible nature and can withstand most chemicals. However, asphalt is weak against oil. On the other hand, tarmac is less durable than asphalt and more vulnerable to diesel and gasoline spills.
Asphalt is also more resistant to extreme weather conditions such as excessive snow and heavy hail. Tarmac is waterproof, but doesn’t do as well against inclement weather. Its rough surface also causes water to pool up after a storm posing risks of slipping and falling.
Difference in Cost
An asphalt driveway costs $2 to $6 per square foot for materials although modified products could cost significantly more. While tarmac is around the same cost, it is slightly more affordable if only paving a small driveway without concerns of high traffic volumes.
Difference in Applications
In most cases, tarmac can only be applied as a hot mix, making its working conditions more restrictive. Asphalt can be applied as a hot, warm, or semi-warm mix, meaning you can pave a driveway with asphalt in most seasons throughout the year.
Difference in Recyclability
Asphalt is more environmentally friendly because it is fully recyclable. When asphalt on a driveway gets old, you can simply reclaim it and reapply it elsewhere. On the other hand, tarmac is mostly for one-time use and can only be reclaimed as unbounded aggregates.
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