The differences lie in the details
Tarmac versus asphalt driveways differ in composition, with tarmac using tar as a binder while asphalt relies on bitumen for your driveway surface.
Expect to pay $2 to $6 per square foot for asphalt materials, while tarmac costs about the same for smaller residential driveways only.
Your choice between tarmac and asphalt depends on your driveway size, climate conditions, expected traffic volume, chemical exposure risks, and recyclability preferences.
Hiring a local asphalt company provides expert guidance on material selection and application methods, helping you choose the right surface for your home.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Archie did a good job cleaning up the driveway before he laid down the sealer. It looks good. He was gracious and even helped me bring up my groceries. His rate was comparable to another company who came out to give me a quote and he talked to me personally rather than just text me a quote...
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All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesWorking with Peter and his crew was a breeze. They were exceptionally polite and did a neat job to repair and seal our driveway. I will definitely talk to them first for additional work.
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The preformed a really good job the staff is incredible never been so happy with my home, A brand new driveway is like a face lift!!
Pristine PavingCalled Mark on a Thursday morning. Not really knowing if he could help me or not. I was having driveway, flooding issues due to a clogged channel drain and I was trying to figure out what direction to take. Heavy rains had come on Monday and again on Thursday leading to flooding in my garage...
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Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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