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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:17 pm
by mollybeany
Hi,
Have found this site really helpful when trying to decide how to upgrade my rather old tarmac drive. Have decided to go with a bituminous-bonded gravel surface. Any tips on what I should be looking for in the contractor, how much it is likely to cost (per m2), potential problems etc. I note that this type of drive does not seem to be mentioned much on this site apart from a brief comment that bituminous-bonded gravel surfaces are no longer very popular. Could someone tell me why?
Any advice much appreciated, thanks.
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:48 pm
by GB_Groundworks
because its been supperseded by the superior product resin bound/bonded gravel its not really any good for driveway use.
static power steering etc taking its toll on the surface, become bit of a pikey finish as well maybe not proper bituminous bound gravel but some gravel thrown in the top coat and rolled in.
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:12 pm
by simeonronacrete
Hi
Yes, bitumen based products are old style. They tend to soften in heat and become more brittle in cold. Black resin not particularly good looking unless you're using a granite stone.
The modern versions are Ronacrete Hard Landscaping Products - see Resin Bonded and Resin Bound
By all means call me on 01279 638 700.
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 5:22 pm
by mollybeany
Thanks for responding, sorry for delay in posting this reply - been on holiday. I can't afford to spend too much, and was advised by the contractor that the bituminous-bonded was significantly cheaper than resin, and was nearly as good. As my drive is already bitumin and has lasted pretty well (at least 20 years) I still can't see a problem with putting a layer of bitumin and gravel on top.
Basically I want a gravel drive because I like the look of it, but realise you can't put gravel on top of tarmac.
Not too sure what the comment about a pikey finish means.
Could someone without a vested interest in resin-bonded materials reply? Thanks.
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 5:24 pm
by simeonronacrete
I'll keep quiet.
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:36 pm
by irishpaving
Lol ... what there saying is it might look cheap..... old tarmac needs to come up and new sub base would be required @ a min of 130mm compacted type1.. could use a harder gravel like granite
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:50 pm
by Dave_L
Sounds like you're after a tar and chip job, nothing wrong with it aslong as you are aware of its limitations. Same system as used on many roads at the moment, during summer surface dressing.
You'd be looking at £8/9 a metre for tar and chip generally up to around 100m2, coming down in price above that.
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:43 pm
by lutonlagerlout
mollybeany wrote:Thanks for responding, sorry for delay in posting this reply - been on holiday. I can't afford to spend too much, and was advised by the contractor that the bituminous-bonded was significantly cheaper than resin, and was nearly as good. As my drive is already bitumin and has lasted pretty well (at least 20 years) I still can't see a problem with putting a layer of bitumin and gravel on top.
Basically I want a gravel drive because I like the look of it, but realise you can't put gravel on top of tarmac.
Not too sure what the comment about a pikey finish means.
Could someone without a vested interest in resin-bonded materials reply? Thanks.
so you cant afford to spend too much on the drive , but you have been on holiday?? 
is there not a contradiction there?
against the advice of 3 "experts" you have decided to go for tar and chip
there is a private road near me, and they tar and chip that every 3 years,I'll get a picture of it tomorrow if you like
pikey finish means what it says ,it looks like the pikeys(colloquial term for gypsies,travellers,tinkers etc.) have done the job,which normally infers a poor finish
re: your contractor
1 a quote in writing
2 a business address thats real with a landline telephone number
3 personal reccomendation
4 viewing previous recent jobs in the flesh,portfolios can be faked and often are
5 payment by cheque or bax and only on full satisfaction
we give our time here for free molly and if you choose to ignore the advice here then its caveat emptor
as they say in rome
all the best
LLL
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:29 pm
by mollybeany
Thanks for your responses, but I am now even more confused! Dave_L says there is nothing wrong with tar and chip as long as I am aware of its limitations. Please could you spell these out for me Dave? lutonlagerlout says it will look tatty after 3 years, like the private road near him. But I want it for a driveway so it will not be subject to anywhere near as much wear and tear as a road. And if it is used as a standard road surface, as Dave_L says, doesn't that imply it is pretty hard wearing, even if not as good as resin-bonded?
lutonlagerlout, I am not ignoring your expert views, I am simply seeking some clarification!
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:08 pm
by GB_Groundworks
tar and chip is a fast and cheap method of rejuvenating a road way before proper resurfacing is carried out on the carriageway, it has to be laid on a sound substrate normally the existing sma wearing course.
its suitable for road use as there is unlikey to be any low speed or static powering steering maneuvers which will mark and dislodge the chips from the tar bonding as most people drive along the road and turn off at speed.
on a drive you maneuver etc which damages the surface,
another question you state you have decided on bitumiouns bonded gravel yet then ask a load of question about it, would it not have been better to read up on all the options their strengths and weaknesses then made your choice, an informed decision.
was this recommended to you by someone?
re before about pikey finish, its used to be an old trick for them to throw decorative gravel onto the wearing course and roll it in as supposed extra feature in reality first time a car passed over the decorative gravel would come loose.
i wouldn't have it on my drive but its your drive,
Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1281557482
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:13 pm
by lutonlagerlout
as promised
tar and chip
regards LLL
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:50 pm
by mollybeany
Thanks for the photos LLL and the explanation by GB_Groundworks. I did actually look at lots of options, taking advice from this site, and got quotes from a variety of firms (reputable ones not cowboys) for different types of surfacing. The highest quote I had was >£40,000 (for 135sqm) for a block paved driveway!!! I simply can't afford that, even if I don't go on my one week's camping holiday a year! I have an old tarmac drive, I like the look of gravel and I need to stick to a budget. Hence my asking about bituminous bonded gravel as it was the only option that seemed feasible, having weighed up the pros, cons and costs of other materials.
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:47 pm
by DNgroundworks
bejesus 40k is about 4 times to much!!! Bet that firm isnt too busy!! I must say that even though my knowledge on this subject is limited but in my view resin bound/bonded gravel is far superior and looks alot smarter.
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:12 am
by mollybeany
Have now changed my mind and will probably just let the moss grow over the tarmac for the time being! Thanks for the advice.
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:59 pm
by lutonlagerlout
treat yourself to a fortnight holiday molly
its not a dress rehearsal
LLL :;):