What is tarmac?
While asphalt and tarmac may look the same on the surface they also have some significant differences.
Different names are used to describe the surfaces, such as bitumen tarmac or tarmac asphalt. Whatever the name of the surface, there are many factors that can affect the choice between asphalt and tarmac.
Tarmacadam or tarmacadam is a strong, long-lasting surface. Tarmac is created when crushed stone is coated in tar. Tarmac is strong and water resistant. It provides good grip, as well as a beautiful finish. Tarmac driveways are where it is most common.
Today, tarmac has been replaced almost entirely with bitmac that is less prone than tarmac to being damaged from accidental spills of petrol or diesel.
Bitumen is used to replace the tar in bitmac. The result is a surface that looks more like asphalt. Bitumen is more similar to asphalt, but bitmac has a higher concentration of sand-filler.
Asphalt uses a more dense mix of aggregates that are bound together with bitumen. A surface made from a mixture of aggregates and bitumen.
Asphalt is a popular road surface because it can be used to resurface large areas at a low cost. Asphalt is not the most affordable option for small surfaces. Asphalt tarmac is sometimes referred to as asphalt, but they are different.
Asphalt is much harder wearing than tarmac. However asphalt is not as resistant the constant scuffing caused by car tires.
This is another important difference to be aware of when comparing asphalt surfacing and bitmac. Asphalt is more durable and requires less maintenance than tarmac.
Another reason to choose asphalt over tarmac is because asphalts are better for the environment. Asphalt can be recycled when it becomes old, and then reused quite easily elsewhere. Remember that asphalt concrete may also be used to make driveway surfaces. This is a totally different type of surface.
Asphalt concrete is a mixture asphaltic cement with sand and/or grit that provides a hard wearing, long-lasting surface. These surfaces can be more expensive than asphalt and tarmac, and they are harder to repair. The temperature fluctuations can cause asphalt concrete to be more susceptible to damage.