Resin Driveways vs Tarmac in Hampshire — Which Is the Better Choice?
Choosing between resin-bound and tarmac for your Hampshire driveway comes down to more than upfront cost — lifespan, maintenance, planning permission, and kerb appeal all factor in. This guide gives an honest comparison using our Hampshire pricing of £65–£110/m² for resin-bound and our standard 10-year installation guarantee, weighed against the realities of tarmac in a Hampshire climate.
Upfront Cost: Tarmac Has the Edge at Installation
Tarmac typically costs £25–£50/m² fully installed in Hampshire, significantly cheaper than resin-bound at £65–£110/m². For a typical 40m² Hampshire driveway, the gap is roughly £1,600–£2,400 in tarmac's favour at installation. This is a real difference — not a marketing trick. However, the comparison changes significantly over a 10–20 year horizon when you factor in maintenance and resurfacing costs.
Lifespan and Maintenance: Resin Wins on Total Cost
Tarmac typically needs resurfacing every 7–12 years in Hampshire, fades from black to grey-brown within 3–5 years, and requires crack sealing and weed treatment annually. Resin-bound with UV-stable aliphatic resin needs only an occasional pressure wash and lasts 20+ years without resurfacing. A £2,000 tarmac drive that needs a £1,200 resurface at year 10 and ongoing annual maintenance costs more over 15 years than a £3,200 resin-bound drive with zero additional costs.
Planning Permission: An Important Difference
Tarmac is impermeable — a new tarmac front driveway over 5m² in Hampshire requires planning permission under rules introduced in April 2008. Resin-bound is fully permeable and SuDS-compliant, draining through the surface matrix rather than running off into drains. This means resin-bound falls under permitted development for most Hampshire homeowners — no planning application, no delays, no fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is resin cheaper than tarmac in Hampshire?
Tarmac costs £25–£50/m² upfront vs £65–£110/m² for resin-bound — tarmac is cheaper to install. Over a 15–20 year period, however, tarmac requires resurfacing and ongoing maintenance while resin needs only an occasional pressure wash. Most Hampshire homeowners find resin-bound the lower total cost beyond year 8–10.
Do I need planning permission for a tarmac driveway in Hampshire?
Yes — a new tarmac front driveway over 5m² requires planning permission in Hampshire because tarmac is impermeable. Resin-bound is fully permeable and SuDS-compliant, falling under permitted development with no planning application needed for most Hampshire front driveways.
How long does tarmac last compared to resin in Hampshire?
A properly installed tarmac driveway lasts 7–12 years before needing resurfacing in Hampshire conditions. Resin-bound with UV-stable aliphatic resin lasts 20+ years — roughly twice as long. Every Hampshire resin installation is backed by our 10-year written guarantee covering workmanship, surface integrity, and drainage performance.
Can resin be laid over an existing tarmac driveway in Hampshire?
Yes — if the existing tarmac base is sound, uncracked, and properly prepared, resin-bound can be overlaid directly. This saves the cost of full sub-base replacement and is a common approach for Hampshire homeowners upgrading older tarmac drives. We assess base suitability at the free site survey.
Get a Free Hampshire Quote
Call 07384 599889 or request a free written quote online — every Hampshire enquiry receives a no-obligation written quote within 24 hours. No deposit required.
