"These guys were great. We loved the work they did. They edged the grass back and blew off the driveway before they filled in the cracks. They put down the rubber edge before they hand squeegee the seal coat. And taped off the sidewalks and driveway. We definitely would hire these guys again! Thank you Omni!"
"I've used Evergreen for many years at 3 different houses. Jay and crew are great. Excellent communication, design ideas, and suggestions. They are quick and meticulous. I had them do a total rip out and redesign of the front yard at one house for which they had to remove several overgrown bushes, regrade, and replant. I also had them install a privacy fence across the back yard and a short split-rail fence with gates at both sides of the house. At the 2nd house I had them completely regrade, fill, reseed and fertilize my disaster of a back yard (It took more than 6 dump trucks worth of fill). They also built a 2 tier retaining wall along the 40 ft. driveway and another stacked stone retaining wall along a sloped part of the back yard. The back yard went from a patchy, rut-filled, weed-infested disaster with several rotten stumps to a level green playground when they were done. Along the way I've also had them do fertilization treatments, aeration and over-seeding, spring and fall cleanups, and cuts. We're now on house 3 and getting started all over again. I won't use anyone else. Highly recommended."
"My wife and I just had Oakland give us a quote, plan and then install, pour, a 8.5 cubic yard patio after removing the trex deck that it was time to retire around our inground pool. After removal of the deck it was discovered that there was electrical work that needed to be rerun to our pool pump house and a Jacuzzi we were replacing. This they had no problem incorporating into the job without batting an eye. Communication was good. And from the plan, to scheduling, to actually accomplishing the task, considering the bad weather we were having, everything was done professionally, and on time in spite of whatever obstacles were thrown in the way. The crew was professional and courteous, and went out of their way to protect all that was necessary around what they were doing. They went out of their way to meticulously clean up the job and ensure everything was to our complete satisfaction before calling it done. All was done in a timely manner in spite of the atrocious weather they had to work around and through in getting it finished. My wife and I could not be happier with the job, and I would highly recommend this company to anyone looking to have concrete work done for any reason."
"Curt installed low voltage landscape lighting in front and back of our house. The lights transformed the house. Beautiful effect and just the right amount of light. Truly enjoyed working with Curt who continues to demonstrate excellent customer service with our maintenance needs. Would highly recommend."
"Plymouth Nursery did exceptional work in our front yard. They installed the necessary drains to deal with water pooling issues, repaved our driveway, and completed beautiful masonry work to create the front steps and porch we had hoped for. They also worked with us to design exactly what we had in mind for landscaping, including lighting that really elevates the finished product. They worked closely with us to determine design and a price point. We had a lot of questions in the planning process, and communication with them was clear and effective. The employees were kind and respectful of us and our space. We are grateful to have worked with Plymouth Nursery on this project."
"Water proofed my basement, it made such a big difference. Amazing work, clean, friendly and polite workers, very professional. Able to answer my questions and concerns. I also had concrete work done my driveway , walk way and back patio. Improved the look and value of my home and turned my house into my own oasis. Definitely recommend using Bella View Concrete if you want Good Reliable work done. D.A"
"MA did an excellent job resealing our driveway. The team was professional, punctual, and paid great attention to detail. The driveway looks fantastic and has a fresh, clean finish. We were very happy with the quality of their work and would highly recommend MA to anyone looking for driveway sealing services."
Asphalt and tarmac are not the same thing. Traditional tarmac, short for tarmacadam, uses tar as a binder to hold crushed stone together. Asphalt uses bitumen—a byproduct of crude oil—to bind aggregate. Though tarmac was once a go-to for roads, asphalt has become the modern standard. And these days, most surfaces referred to as “tarmac” are actually asphalt. So, while the names may overlap, the key distinction lies in the binder—tar for tarmac and bitumen for asphalt.
While blacktop is a type of asphalt, the terms should not be used interchangeably, as not all asphalt qualifies as blacktop. The primary differences are in their composition, production process, and ideal applications. Blacktop contains more stone than other types of asphalt and is heated to a higher temperature during production—300°F or more—while hot-mix asphalt is heated to between 275°F and 300°F. The ratio of bitumen (a tar-like crude oil) is a key differentiator, though sources vary: some state blacktop has less bitumen, making it less durable, while others claim it has a higher ratio. Due to these differences, asphalt is generally more durable and better for high-traffic areas like highways and streets, while blacktop is more suitable for playgrounds and residential driveways. For a driveway project, it is best to consult a professional to determine the most appropriate material.
If you’re looking for a similar, eco-friendly driveway material, you might consider one of these options:
Permeable pavement: This material is sometimes called “pervious” or “porous” pavement; it allows stormwater to drain into the subbase, eliminating storm drain costs.
Gravel: Consider paving your driveway with locally sourced gravel. By sourcing from a nearby source, your money won’t fund international shipping and will be invested back into your local community.
Natural stone pavers: Because natural stone pavers are made from organically-produced stone, there’s no new manufacturing required, limiting the environmental impact. In addition, water easily flows and drains through the gaps in the pavers.
Gravel is one of the few driveway materials that can handle rain the second it’s installed. Unlike asphalt, which needs days to set, or concrete, which requires weeks to cure, gravel is ready as soon as it’s compacted. It’s naturally permeable, allowing water to drain straight through—with no risk of pooling or surface damage. Gravel driveways are one of the most affordable, at $1 to $3 per square foot, and can also last upward of 100 years.
An ideal driveway gradient is between 2% and 5%. Anything lower than 1% or higher than 15% can cause problems for your car or property. A driveway with less than a 1% slope increases your likelihood of flooding and water damage, while a driveway with a 15% grade or higher can be too steep for safe traveling.
The Furlong, PA homeowners’ guide to asphalt driveway services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Use our guide to calculate the cost to seal an asphalt driveway in Philadelphia, PA. Prices vary based on the type of sealant and the size of the driveway.
Find out the average concrete driveway repair cost in Philadelphia, PA. Learn what you can expect to pay for local concrete repair services and fix your slab.
Adding a new asphalt driveway to your home can boost its overall appearance and give homeowners a nice ROI down the line. But how long do asphalt driveways last, and what can you do to maximize their lifespans? Read this guide to find out.
