On average, it takes our tarmac contractors 2 to 3 days to install a new tarmac driveway in Bridgwater. On standard driveways, we the excavation and preparation work is all handled on the same day to minimise any disruption.

On the same day, we generally will lay in the edgings, steps and paved aprons to allow to them settle in with concrete bedding before applying the new tarmac surface.

The tarmac laying process is generally fairly fast since you want to lay tarmac hot and ensure its rolled hot. If not, it can unravel and leave patches. Once we start laying the tarmac, its all systems go and cannot be halted till completed.

With resurfacing an older driveway, this can all be handled on the same day. We generally chip out the edge of the driveway to ensure the new surface can be bedded back in at the same existing boundary levels.

We do apply a bitumen bonding agent to the existing tarmac or concrete surface before we apply the new SMA tarmac finish to ensure it bonds properly with the older surface.

Tarmac is available in two colours, red or black, which is performed at the tarmac yard before its loaded onto our trucks. The red colour is not as popular and it does cost a little bit more than the standard black finish since that requires actual dyeing.

To make a tarmac driveway custom tailored, we always recommend raised edges or a brick on edge around it. From granite edgings to concrete kerbs, they can create a nice contrast to the tarmac finish.

The tarmac itself, we recommend a 6-8mm SMA tarmac finish on the driveway as the surfacing course and a base course of 20mm. SMA stands for Stone Mastic Asphalt and is the common type of finish suitable for vehicles on a driveway.

To open up the entrance of a driveway, you can opt for a nice paved apron done with bricks, cobblestones or granite stones. This when combined with a paved border, can really make a tarmac driveway stand out.

The average lifespan of tarmac is around 10 years. Colours will start to fade long before that which is why we recommend sealing your tarmac.

This helps to prolong the colour and gives it some extra elasticity. The most common form of maintenance for tarmac or asphalt is seal coating. This can restore any tarmac or asphalt driveway back to its original colour at minimum cost.

This means, if you provide regular maintenance to your tarmac, get it sealed once every 3 years, you could easily get more than 10 years out of a new tarmac driveway.