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Block Paving vs Tarmac: UK Drainage Could Decide Your Choice

Illustrated comparison of driveway surfaces and drainage

If you want design flexibility and long-term kerb appeal, block paving is usually the better choice. If you want the lowest upfront cost and a quick, durable surface, tarmac usually wins. Tarmac is commonly quoted at around £25 per m², and Gov may decide the choice for you.

TL;DR:

  • Tarmac costs around £25 per m² upfront, but excavation, ground preparation, drainage, edging, and dropped kerb work can raise either surface’s total cost.
  • Planning permission is not needed if surfacing is permeable or runoff flows to a lawn or border; impermeable paving over 5 square metres without drainage needs permission.
  • Water can wash block joint infill away on steep driveways, so tarmac often suits slopes better; heavy vehicles need a base designed for their weight.
  • Block paving needs regular cleaning and fresh sand in its joints, while tarmac needs less frequent care but may require resealing or crack repairs.
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Table of Contents

How much does block paving cost compared with tarmac?

Tarmac is usually the cheaper surface up front. The Federation of Master Builders puts driveway installation at from around £33 per m², with tarmac a more cost-effective option at roughly £25 per m². Block paving and resin finishes typically cost more, depending on specification.

The surface is only part of the bill. These items often push a quote higher:

  • Excavation and sub-base: digging out and building a solid base is a major cost on any surface, and a weak base is the most common reason driveways fail early.
  • Drainage: a new soakaway, channel or permeable build-up adds labor and materials.
  • Edging: block paving needs firm edge restraints, while tarmac needs a clean, supported edge.
  • Dropped kerb: if you do not already have one, permission and works can add significant expense whichever surface you choose.
  • Future repairs: block paving can be repaired by lifting and relaying blocks, while tarmac usually needs patching or resurfacing. Over the life of the driveway, the cheaper surface up front is not always the cheaper one overall.

How long do block paving and tarmac driveways last?

Both surfaces can last for many years when laid on a properly built base, and the base matters more than the finish on top. Poor ground preparation shortens the life of either one.

  • Heavy vehicles: vans and delivery trucks load a driveway far more than a family car, so ask for a base specified for the weight you expect.
  • Tyre scrubbing: turning the wheel while stationary scuffs tarmac and can loosen block joints over time.
  • Freeze-thaw: water that gets into cracks or poorly filled joints expands in cold weather and widens the damage.
  • Repair visibility: a lifted block can be swapped out, but a tarmac patch often shows as a different shade for a while.

Block paving is not ideal for steep driveways, because joint infill can be washed away by running water. On a slope, tarmac is often the more stable choice.

What maintenance does each surface need?

Block paving and tarmac surface comparison

Block paving asks for more regular attention, while tarmac asks for less often but sometimes bigger jobs. Ideal Home notes that block paving typically needs cleaning and re-sanding, while tarmac may need resealing and can be affected by high heat.

A simple routine for each surface looks like this:

  1. Sweep the driveway regularly to stop debris holding moisture and feeding weeds.
  2. Treat weeds in block joints early, before roots loosen the blocks.
  3. Re-sand block paving joints when you see gaps opening up.
  4. Clean oil spills quickly, since they stain both surfaces.
  5. Reseal tarmac or patch cracks when edges start to crumble.

Pro Tip: Look for dips, puddles or blocks that rock underfoot. These usually point to base failure rather than surface wear, and catching them early keeps the repair small.

How do block paving and tarmac look different?

Block paving gives you the wider choice of color, pattern and edging. Tarmac has a limited palette, but it can still look neat when finished well. Ideal Home describes block paving as the stronger option for design, and tarmac as offering fewer aesthetic choices.

  • Block paving: choose from several block colors, herringbone or stretcher bond patterns, and contrasting borders to frame the drive.
  • Tarmac: a crisp edge and a clean, even finish do most of the work.
  • Improving tarmac: a block or resin border lifts the look without the full cost of paving.
  • Period homes: a traditional brick-style block in a muted tone often suits older properties, while tarmac with a neat border can suit a modern house.

What are the UK drainage and planning rules?

This is where many homeowners get caught out. Gov says you do not need planning permission for a new or replacement driveway of any size if you use permeable surfacing, or if you direct surface water to a lawn or border.

Impermeable surfacing over 5 square metres, without provision for natural drainage, requires planning permission, with a fee typically £150 and a decision normally within 8 weeks.

  • Permeable options: permeable block paving and porous asphalt count as permeable, and the Planning Portal lists them alongside gravel.
  • Not automatically permeable: practitioner guidance notes that standard block paving laid on a type 1 sub-base is not necessarily considered permeable.
  • Standard tarmac: typically impermeable, so it needs drainage to a lawn or border, or a permeable alternative.
  • Practical fixes: a soakaway or a sloped fall toward a planted area can meet the rule, and these are worth budgeting for early.

How long does installation take?

Block paving takes longer because every block is laid and compacted by hand, while tarmac is quicker to put down. Ideal Home says block paving often needs more installation time, and describes tarmac as quick to install.

The work follows a similar order for both:

  1. Clear the site and mark out levels and falls.
  2. Excavate and build the compacted sub-base.
  3. Install edging and any drainage.
  4. Lay the surface: blocks and sand for paving, hot tarmac rolled in layers for tarmac.
  5. Finish and allow time before heavy use.

An average driveway is typically a matter of days, and drainage or extra excavation adds more. Cold, wet weather can delay both surfaces, so spring and summer scheduling is usually easier.

How do you choose between block paving and tarmac?

Match the surface to your top priority, then confirm the details on site.

  • Need permeability? Choose permeable block paving, porous asphalt, or plan drainage to a lawn or border.
  • Design first? Block paving gives you the most control over the finished look.
  • Budget first? Tarmac usually has the lower upfront price.
  • Heavy vehicles? Ask for a base specified for the load, whichever surface you pick.
  • Steep slope? Be cautious with block paving because of joint wash-out.

Next, arrange a free site visit, get a fixed written quote, and confirm your dropped kerb and drainage needs. We offer these services for homes in Cheltenham and Gloucester.

What a site visit catches that a brochure cannot

In my view, most driveway problems start before any surface goes down. Homeowners tend to treat a driveway as a product, when it is a project: base depth, falls, drainage and kerb access decide how it ages. The oversights I see most are underestimated groundwork, forgotten drainage and a dropped kerb cost nobody mentioned. A clear written quote that spells out scope and materials stops those surprises. That is why we prioritize longevity and drainage on every job.

— Trey

Get a fixed written quote for your driveway

We design and install block paving, resin-bound, tarmac and natural stone driveways, and we also handle repairs and full replacements. Every job starts with a free site visit, where we assess drainage and ground conditions for your property. You then receive a fixed written quote that sets out the scope, the materials and the drainage plan, with a dedicated point of contact from start to finish. Ready to compare real options for your home? Request a site visit and quote from GL Driveways.

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FAQ

What is the best driveway surface in the UK?

It depends on your priorities. Block paving suits homeowners who want design choice, while tarmac suits those who want a lower upfront price. Whichever you pick, GOV.UK permeability rules should shape the decision.

What are the downsides of block paving?

It usually needs more installation time and periodic cleaning and re-sanding, according to Ideal Home. It can also suffer joint wash-out on steep slopes, so the base and slope need checking before you commit.

Does the UK use tarmac or asphalt?

Both terms are used for similar surfaces, and many homeowners say tarmac for what is technically asphalt. Porous asphalt is one of the surfaces the Planning Portal lists as permeable.

Is it illegal to block a driveway in the UK?

Blocking a driveway can lead to enforcement. A driveway is treated as obstructed when a vehicle’s wheels cover part of the dropped kerb, according to BCP Council guidance, with limited exceptions such as short loading or unloading.

Sources

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