Tarmac Driveway Benefits

A tarmac driveway certainly has a lot of benefits. Tarmac is very cost effective and you won’t need to spend half as much time on the general construction. This is great if you’re on a low budget and you will also find that it causes less disruption to your home during the initial process. The main benefit of tarmac is that it is a very sustainable option. Over time, paving stones can raise up, the pointing can become loose, they can crack and overall, this is very unsightly. Tarmac however will never become unsightly unless you get pot holes and this only really happens after years of heavy use. You will also find that paving stones or bricks can sink when used in a driveway because the weight of the wheels pushes down on certain points. With tarmac, you’ll never experience this and it is also the far better option in terms of water damage and durability. Overall. tarmac is deformation resistant, low noise, skid resistant and it has a very tough service so even in the ice or snow, you still have some level of grip underneath your tyres. Tarmac isn’t just ideal for driveways however, it has a huge variety of other purposes so you can be sure to reap the benefits in no time at all.

Concrete Driveway Benefits

The biggest benefit of concrete however is the fact that it is incredibly strong and it is more than capable of accommodating future changes, regardless of your design requirements. It can be used to create a strong foundation or sub-base and it can also be used to create a concrete driveway as well. If you’re laying out concrete in your home, then you will also find that it facilitates the upper floors as well. This provides clear spans between external walls and it also helps to support the masonry walls as well. The internal walls below then don’t bear much load, and this design can be altered if you would ever want to change the layout of your property at a later date.

Drawbacks of Concrete Driveways

Concrete has a lifespan of between 20 and 50 years. The problem with concrete however is that it is 1.5 times more expensive than asphalt. Cement requires a framework in order for it to be poured and even then you need to let it dry for three days at least. After it has dried, you should then apply a sealant as well which can escalate the cost even more when compared to other alternatives. You should also know that some soils aren’t ideal for concrete either. You may need a professional to treat your soil for you so you can work out the density and this normally means adding some sand or gravel to loamy soils, or alternatively, adding clay to soil that is overly sandy. If you plan to lay concrete then you will also need to think about drainage. Concrete is a very dense materials so it doesn’t have very good drainage. You’ll need to install a storm water pipe in order to drain it properly if you’re laying it on flat ground. Concrete also has very little grip as the end result is normally smooth and flat. If you experience a lot of snow or ice, then this could easily become a problem.

Drawbacks of Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac is one of the cheapest options around when it comes to driveways. Tarmac can easily be mixed with a dye to make it a different colour and this is great if you want to personalise your home or property, but it easily makes the whole installation more expensive. Tarmac driveways often last around 15 years but you will need to apply a sealant to it every 3-4 years to make sure that it doesn’t experience any damages. You will also find that over time tarmac can crack and this is especially the case if you’re driving heavy vehicles over it on a regular basis. If cracks do appear then you will need to get them repaired as soon as possible because you may have to re-do your entire driveway or area if they get too bad. Another con of tarmac is that if it is exposed to diesel or a number of other solvents then you might want to consider a different option. Petrol can easily stain concrete and over time this can be very unsightly. Tarmac also absorbs heat, so it can get very hot in summer. In some instances, it may get so hot that you can’t touch it with your bare feet. Parking your car on top of something that gets so hot isn’t the best idea for a lot of people, especially if your car is really expensive. Overall, tarmac isn’t the ideal solution if you find yourself constantly repairing or working on your car because the petrol will stain it with ease. So there you have it, the pros and cons of concrete and tarmac. Overall, the benefits certainly outweigh the cons and people across the world continue to install it for their needs because they are both very affordable options when compared to other types of flooring such as paving stones and bricks. If you need to get concrete or tarmac installed in your home, you should contact a reputable professional as they will be able to work with you to find the best option for your home. They will also be able to tell you whether or not your soil is suitable for concrete or tarmac, and this will save you a lot of money down the line if budget is a limitation. Many specialists can also advise you on the best one for your needs, so your new installation will last much longer with very little need for maintenance. Contact yours today to find out more about tarmac and concrete installation and the benefits of them both.

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