Choosing between resin, block paving and tarmac is the first decision for any new driveway — and the honest answer is that each one is the right choice for somebody. We install all three across Darlington and the North East, so we’ve no horse in the race. Here’s the comparison we walk customers through on surveys, without the sales pitch.
The quick comparison
| Resin-bound | Block paving | Tarmac | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost per m² | Higher (~£40–£70) | Mid (~£45–£70) | Lower (~£45–£60) |
| Look | Smooth, seamless, modern | Classic kerb appeal, patterns & borders | Clean, uniform, practical |
| Lifespan (on proper base) | 15–25 years | 20–25+ years | 15–20+ years |
| Maintenance | Very low — occasional jet wash | Re-sand joints, weed treatment | Very low — occasional seal |
| Repairability | Patch re-bind (visible at first) | Best — lift & relay individual blocks | Cut out & hot-patch |
| Drainage / SuDS | Permeable when laid correctly | Permeable versions available | Needs drainage designed in |
| Best for | Modern finish, low upkeep | Design flexibility, repairability | Bigger drives on a budget |
Resin-bound: the low-maintenance modern finish
Resin-bound stone is poured and hand-trowelled into a smooth, joint-free surface. No loose gravel, no weeds growing through joints, and a wide choice of natural aggregate colours. Laid correctly it’s fully permeable — rain drains through the surface rather than pooling — which matters both on Teesside’s clay ground and for the planning rules on front driveways (more below). The trade-offs: it costs more per square metre than tarmac, and it must go onto a sound, properly prepared base; resin over a failing base fails with it. Full details on our resin driveways page.
Block paving: kerb appeal and repairability
Block paving remains the classic for a reason: patterns, borders, colour mixes and shapes give it design flexibility nothing else matches, and it’s the most repairable surface — individual blocks can be lifted and relaid invisibly if a patch ever settles (see our driveway repairs service). It needs a little more upkeep: joint sand tops up every few years and weed treatment along the joints. Permeable block systems are available where drainage is a priority. More on our block paving driveways page.
Tarmac: best value for bigger areas
Tarmac is the workhorse — quick to install, extremely durable under vehicles, and usually the most economical per square metre, which makes it the sensible choice for larger driveways. It’s not the design statement block paving is, but paired with a block-paved border or apron it looks far smarter than its reputation. Repairs are straightforward (cut out and hot-patch), and modern surface courses last well past 15 years on a proper base. See our tarmac driveways page.
The bit that matters more than the surface: the base
Whichever surface you pick, its lifespan is decided underneath. Around Darlington and Teesside the ground is heavily clay — it holds water, swells and shrinks, and punishes thin or badly compacted sub-bases with sinking, cracking and pooling within a few winters. A proper build means excavating to the right depth, building and compacting the sub-base for the ground that’s actually there, and designing drainage in from the start. It’s why two quotes for the ‘same’ driveway can be hundreds of pounds apart — one of them is skipping the part you can’t see.
Planning rules: the 5-square-metre drainage rule
Since 2008, a new or replacement front driveway over 5m² must either use a permeable surface or drain to a lawn/border within your property — otherwise planning permission is needed. Correctly laid resin-bound and permeable block paving satisfy this automatically; tarmac needs drainage designed in (falls to a soakaway or channel). We build to comply as standard, so planning permission isn’t needed in almost all cases.
So which should you choose?
- Want the lowest-maintenance modern look and have the budget? Resin-bound.
- Want design options, borders and the easiest future repairs? Block paving.
- Covering a big area and want maximum value that lasts? Tarmac (consider a block border).
- Still torn? Ask us to quote two options side by side — it costs nothing and you’ll see exactly what each means for your budget.
We install all three across Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and the wider North East — start at our Driveways Darlington hub, or book a free survey and we’ll give you an honest recommendation for your home, your ground and your budget.
Related guides
- Driveway repairs — fixing cracks, dips and drainage.
- Block paving driveways — patterns, colours and edging options.
- Driveways in Darlington — our full driveway service.