What's the difference between asphalt and tarmac?

Question

Trying to get my head around the key differences between Tarmac and Asphalt as surfacing material for a driveway. Lots of contradicting info out there. Was wondering if anyone had first-hand experience with a driveway for example?

Answer 1

To put it in simple terms, macadam is gravel with a top layer of oily substance, tarmacadam (tarmac) is a mix of gravel and oil, and asphalt concrete is a solid layer of combined ingredients usually applied in a hot, partially melted state.

Of course, the terms are used (and misused) in many ways around the world. Your contractors may all be referring to asphalt concrete in actuality.

Almost no one in the developed world uses tarmac anymore. It's obsolete. Even macadam is a cheaper and less durable surface than asphalt concrete. To my mind your options are asphalt concrete (black top) or cement concrete.

Answer 2

Tarmac is made of crushed stone and tar while asphalt is made of stone and a bitumen (a byproduct of crude oil).

In many locations the word Tarmac is used to describe any paved surface.

For your driveway. The best way to make a decision is to gather information that is pertinent to your specific situation. Get opinions/ proposals from a few different paving companies. Ask them to specify what grade of asphalt they would use and why.

It would not be wise for you to specify what material to be used when you are not an expert in the paving field. Relying on bits of info from the internet is not the way to go here. The internet does not know the specifics of your particular situation.

Answer 3

A macadam road bed bed made from layers of crushed rock.

Tarmac is made by spraying hot tar on macadam. The tar soaks in between the stones and glues them together (in the upper layers) once it hardens.

Asphalt is is mix of gravel and tar that is applied hot and then hardens. It is usually applied on top of a macadam base.

So in both cases the finished road surface is made of gravel with a tar binder.

Asphalt usually has a smoother surface than tarmac.

Sometimes a solvent (kerosene) is added to the tar or the asphalt to reduce the softening temperature or increase the working time.

Answer 4

Yeah, I ran into the same confusion when looking into driveway options.

The main differences:

• Tarmac uses tar, asphalt uses bitumen

• Asphalt is generally more durable and better for heavy traffic

• Tarmac is quicker to lay and often a bit cheaper

For a standard residential driveway, both can work well — I went with tarmac and it’s held up great so far.

This guide helped clarify things: Key differences between Tarmac and Asphalt And another useful one here: Difference Between Tarmac and Asphalt – Stafford Driveways

Hope that helps clear it up.