Shingle driveways normally last longer than tarmac

A  good quality, well-kept driveway can be the stand-out feature of a property, but choosing the most durable material can reduce maintenance costs in the long run.

Well-graded gravel or shingle can last a lifetime, whereas a good tarmac driveway may only have a lifespan of eight to 12 years.

Great gravel

Gravel and shingle driveways, with the correct care and attention, can last for decades. A well laid gravel driveway should not be troubled by weeds growing from the ground, but seeds can drift from nearby foliage and weeds can invade the surface once it has bedded down.

By clearing weeds, sweeping gravel that has left the driveway back into place and using weedkiller, the need to resurface can be delayed.

The areas where car wheels travel will usually be the areas which require resurfacing first, as the weight of vehicles compacts and breaks down gravel.

Gravel trap

Slopes can make gravel and shingle less than ideal for certain driveways, as the materials roll downhill whenever disturbed by a vehicle or heavy rainfall.

Self-binding gravel is a partial solution to the problem because the pieces bond over time, particularly under the pressure of a vehicle, and form a more solid surface than regular gravel. This makes it less likely to be disturbed by cars on the driveway.

Tony Spilsbury, from Nottingham-based Mapperley Paving, says it is important to have a good base for a gravel driveway that vehicles use regularly.

He says: “It needs to be excavated properly with a good stone base underneath, otherwise cars will dig up the gravel with their wheels.”

Time for tarmac? 

Tarmac, although not the most durable, benefits from being considered to be the cheapest method of laying a hard surface. However, it is not a project that can be taken on by an amateur and requires specialist equipment and knowledge.

Neighbours may object to a tarmac drive if it is out of character with the rest of the houses on the street. This could make your house stand out and affect its value, making it harder to sell and having a knock-on effect on your neighbours’ properties.

Kelvin, 50, from Manchester, decided to get a local firm to lay a gravel driveway outside his home because of its durability.

He says: “I was tempted to go for tarmac because it would work out cheaper, but I have no plans to move house so thought I might as well go for what I thought would last the longest.”

Key points

• Gravel and shingle driveways are considered to be longer-lasting than tarmac surfaces
• Tarmac is generally the cheapest method of laying a hard surface, but should only be laid by a professional

Tags: builders, driveways, gravel, shingle, tarmac