What is tarmac (asphalt)?
Tarmac (asphalt) is a bound surfacing material made from bitumen and mineral aggregates, laid hot and compacted to form a durable wearing course.
Tarmac is a flexible bound pavement consisting of bitumen, a petroleum product, combined with stone aggregate and laid at elevated temperature. Once placed and compacted, the bitumen sets to form a continuous binding matrix that holds the stone particles together. The result is a dark, relatively smooth wearing surface commonly seen on drives, car parks, and roads throughout Cheltenham and beyond.
The term "tarmac" originates from Tarmacadam, a patented process, though modern asphalt production has evolved. Tarmac performs well in the UK climate, offering reasonable flexibility to accommodate ground movement and thermal expansion. It requires periodic maintenance, including resealing every 5-10 years and patching of worn areas to manage water ingress and degradation.
Tarmac differs structurally from block paving (individual concrete or clay units laid on sand) and resin bound surfaces (resin mixed with decorative aggregates). Where block paving creates visible joints and resin surfaces are permeable and decorative, tarmac delivers a monolithic, impermeable finish at lower cost. Its maintenance profile and flexibility make it a practical choice for high-traffic domestic and commercial applications. Paving contractors in Cheltenham commonly specify tarmac for projects where durability and established performance are priorities.