Tarmac or block paving?
It’s the classic driveway dilemma. Tarmac gets the job done quickly. Block paving looks better and lasts longer. But the gap between them isn’t as simple as that summary suggests, and the right choice depends on what you actually need from your driveway.
We install both block paving and tarmac across Scotland, from straightforward tarmac resurfacing jobs to intricate block paving designs with borders and feature circles. Here’s the comparison we’d give you if you were deciding between the two.
What’s the difference between block paving vs tarmac? – Unbiased Advice from Paving Professionals
What is tarmac?
Tarmac (technically tarmacadam or asphalt) is a continuous surface made from a mixture of crushed stone aggregate bound together with bitumen.
It’s laid hot, rolled flat, and hardens as it cools.
The result is a smooth, dark surface with no joints or gaps. Most public roads in the UK are surfaced with some form of tarmac, so it’s a proven, well-understood material.
What is block paving?
Block paving uses individual blocks, usually concrete, clay, or natural stone, laid in an interlocking pattern on a compacted sub-base and sand bed.
The joints between blocks are filled with kiln-dried sand or a polymeric jointing compound.
Each block is a separate unit, which is what gives block paving its distinctive patterned appearance and its ability to be repaired piece by piece.
Pros of tarmac driving material
Minimal disruption laying driveway material
Speed and simplicity are the main advantages.
A tarmac driveway can be laid in a day or two, with minimal disruption and quick usability. You can typically drive on a new tarmac surface within 24 to 48 hours, compared to the best part of a week’s work and curing time for block paving.
If you need a functional driveway quickly, perhaps before selling a property or ahead of winter, tarmac gets you there faster.
Larger areas benefit with tarmac
Tarmac is also practical for larger areas.
If you have an extensive driveway, a turning circle, or a commercial parking area, the material difference multiplied across a large area becomes significant. For purely functional surfaces where appearance is secondary, tarmac is the smart choice.
Easy cleaning for Scottish snow
Snow and ice clearance is much easier on a smooth tarmac surface. A shovel or snowplough glides across tarmac without catching on joints or edges, which is a practical consideration in areas in Scotland that see the snow in wintertime.
Cons of tarmac
Tarmac aesthetics
Aesthetics are the obvious weakness.
Tarmac is dark, uniform, and functional. It doesn’t offer the colour choices, patterns, or visual texture that block paving provides, and it doesn’t enhance the front of a house in the same way.
For properties where kerb appeal matters, tarmac can bring down the overall look of a home.
Repairs can look unsightly
Repairs are less elegant.
When tarmac cracks or develops potholes, the repair involves cutting out the damaged section and patching it with new material. The patch is visible because the new tarmac is darker than the weathered surrounding surface, and over time, a driveway with multiple patches can look unkempt.
Block paving repairs are far neater because replacement blocks blend with the existing surface.
Oil stains on tarmac
Tarmac absorbs oil and fuel spills, creating dark patches that are difficult or impossible to remove completely.
Block paving stains too, but individual stained blocks can be lifted, cleaned more effectively, or replaced.
Struggles in the heat
Although this is less of a problem in Scotland, hot weather conditions can soften tarmac. This can cause scuff marks on the material
Pros of block paving
Appearance of block paving vs tarmac driveways
Block paving transforms the front of a property in a way that tarmac simply can’t match.
The versatility range of colours, textures, block sizes, and laying patterns means you can create a driveway that complements your property’s architecture.
Durability of block paving
A well-installed block paving driveway on a properly prepared sub-base will comfortably last 25 to 30 years, and many last even longer. The individual blocks are incredibly strong and the interlocking pattern distributes weight across the surface effectively.
Although the initial costs may be higher, the length of time block paving lasts can make it a cost-effective option.
Repairs
Repairability is a practical advantage for homeowners.
If a utility company needs to dig up part of your driveway to access pipes, or if a section sinks due to ground movement, you lift the affected blocks, fix the issue, and relay them.
The repair is invisible because the surrounding blocks are the same age and material. Try that with tarmac and you’re left with a visible patch.
Property value
Well-maintained block paving driveway adds more perceived value to a property than a tarmac one. It can also be a sign to perspective buyers that the property has been cared for and invested in.
Cons of block paving
Maintenance with weeds
The sand-filled joints between blocks provide an ideal environment for weed seeds, and in Scotland’s damp climate, weeds can establish quickly if not managed.
Polymeric jointing compound reduces the problem significantly compared to kiln-dried sand, but it’s not a permanent solution and needs reapplying every few years.
Installation time
Installation time and disruption are genuine downsides.
A block paving driveway takes five to seven days to install for a standard area, during which you’ll have no access to the driveway and there’ll be noise, machinery, and materials on your property.
Moss and algae growth
In Scotland, surfaces can stay damp for weeks at a time through autumn and winter. Moss and algae growth between joints can make the surface slippery. A pressure wash once or twice a year is usually enough, but it’s an ongoing commitment.
Block paving and tarmac: which handles Scotland’s weather better?
Both materials cope well with Scottish weather when properly installed, but they handle the conditions differently.
Freeze-thaw conditions for Scottish winters
Tarmac’s flexible nature is actually an advantage in freeze-thaw conditions.
As the ground beneath expands and contracts through winter, tarmac flexes with it rather than cracking, which is why it’s the standard surface for Scottish roads.
The main winter risk is water penetrating cracks and freezing beneath the surface, which causes the tarmac to lift and break up over time. Keeping on top of crack repairs prevents this.
Block paving handles freeze-thaw well because the individual blocks can move slightly on their sand bed, accommodating ground movement without cracking.
Water in the joints can freeze, but this rarely damages the blocks themselves. The risk is that repeated freeze-thaw cycles wash sand from the joints, requiring more frequent re-sanding in areas with harsh winters.
Wet Scottish weather
Heavy Scottish rainfall drains from tarmac surfaces quickly, but because tarmac is non-permeable, the water runs off onto the road or adjacent ground.
Block paving with standard sand joints allows some water infiltration, and permeable block paving systems are available that drain water directly through the surface.
For front driveways where SUDS drainage compliance may be required, permeable block paving can simplify the planning process.
Which adds more value to your property?
Block paving adds more perceived value, and it’s not even close.
Estate agents and surveyors view a well-maintained block paving driveway as a property improvement that buyers notice and value. It signals investment and care, and it photographs fantastically in property listings.
A tarmac driveway is functional and expected.
It doesn’t add or take away from a property’s value significantly, because buyers view it as the standard surface.
It’s worth noting that a poorly maintained block paving driveway can look worse than a clean tarmac surface, so the advantage only holds if the block paving is kept in good condition. So make sure to keep block paving clean, maintained and free of weeds when considering selling.
Choosing the right material for a new driveway
Here’s how we’d break down the decision:
When to choose tarmac
Choose tarmac if you want:
- minimal disruption installation
- fairly low maintenance upkeep
- purely functional driveway
Also if your driveways covers a large area, tarmac can be a good option.
When choose block paving
Choose block paving if:
- aesthetics and kerb appeal matter
- you want a surface that will last 25-30 years
- repairability is important
Then block paving may be the better option.
Considering a new driveway?
If you are looking to install a new driveway, GGM Landscaping is here for you. With plenty of paving ideas and options, you are in safe hands.
Our team of expert installers can help you choose, design, and will install the right surface for your property. We are based in and around Glasgow and are happy to cover the whole of Scotland with our landscaping services.
Get in touch for a free driveway consultation or call us on 07946 322717 to talk through your options.