When it comes to investing in a new driveway, there are many things to consider.
It is, after all, a significant investment to make, and the chances are, you will want your new driveway to last for as long as possible.
If you’re a homeowner, it needs to be robust enough to withstand your cars driving on and off it several times a day. It also needs to look good and keep drainage issues to a minimum.
And if you are a business owner, there are health and safety issues to consider, as well as ensuring it looks good and portrays your brand and premises in the best light.
There are many driveway surfacing options you can choose from, depending on your needs.
Traditional paving, concrete, block or brick paving, Tarmac and resin are all popular choices and each has its own pros and cons.
In our opinion – and we might be biased – you can’t beat a resin driveway for cost, appearance or durability.
In this blog, we take a closer look at both resin and Tarmac driveways to see how they compare and help you make an informed choice on which to invest in.
What is a Tarmac driveway?
Tarmac is a popular surfacing material. For many years, it has been used in the construction of hard surfaces such as roads, airport runways, car parks, and pavements.
More recently, many domestic customers have used Tarmac to create robust and hard-wearing driveways or outdoor spaces.
Tarmac is made by mixing melted tar with broken stones. It can be poured into place and sets into an extremely tough yet flexible surface. Unlike other forms of surfacing, such as resin, Tarmac is only semi-permeable, meaning it can be susceptible to flooding or surface water during heavy rainfall.
Choosing Tarmac has many benefits. It is long-lasting and hard-wearing, cost-effective, and quick to install, although you need specialist equipment to lay it properly. It is available in several colour options.
However, because it is intended more for areas of heavy use, it isn’t as visually pleasing as other surfacing solutions.
Why choose a resin-bound driveway?
There are many reasons why you should choose a resin-bound driveway.
They are visually appealing. They are available in a wide range of colours, textures and finishes, which will allow you to be more creative in the way your driveway is designed.
More traditional surfaces, such as block paving or concrete, are limited by the colours, shapes and sizes of the materials used. Resin allows you to be far more flexible and imaginative.
They are made using a blend of carefully cleaned natural stone mixed with a clear resin that is stable in all weathers. This creates a beautiful and durable surface that is solid, enduring and easily cleaned.
It is the perfect surface for driveways, along with pathways and patios. Resin aggregate is mixed on-site and cold applied. It uses a high-quality clear resin binder to coat the aggregate particles before laying.
With a resin-bound driveway, the resin and aggregates are mixed thoroughly before they are laid, creating a more hard-wearing surface that requires less maintenance.
Another significant benefit of a resin-bound driveway is the cost. Compared to other paving solutions, resin-bound driveways provide excellent value for money and return on investment over the long-term.
They are also incredibly hard-wearing, durable and weatherproof, and represent excellent value for money over a long and low-maintenance service life. With the proper cleaning and care, we’ve seen resin-bound driveways that are more than ten years old but still look as good as new.
Resin-bound driveways are also extremely quick to install. Depending on the size and shape, most can be installed in a day and used within 24 hours. Tarmac, concrete or traditional block paving driveway surfaces can take longer to prepare, install and finish.
Finally, one of the best things about resin-bound driveways is how durable they are. The method used creates a tough, robust and durable surface that won’t crack, scuff or damage from heavy use.
If you look after it properly, it will last for many years to come.
Find out more about our resin driveways today
At Buffalo Driveways, we’re passionate about helping homeowners to improve their homes and gardens with long-lasting and affordable solutions.
If you’re looking for a new driveway to transforms the outside of your home, we can help.
From design and planning to supply and installation by expert craftsmen, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
All our work is backed by a full technical survey and a five-year warranty on overlay projects or a 10-year guarantee on those with a sub-base completed by us.
Investing in a resin driveway from Buffalo will add value to your home for years to come. To find out more and book a free consultation and quote, give us a call on 08000 319050 or email sales@buffalodriveways.co.uk.