Tarmac & Asphalt Driveways Dublin Installation, Resurfacing & Repair

Why Mactar for Your Tarmac or Asphalt Driveway?

• Commercial grade plant on residential jobs VÖGELE SUPER 1803 5 paver (first in Ireland) delivers consistent depth and a precision finish
• SMA (Stone Mastic Asphalt) available the highest quality driveway surfacing option; smoother, quieter, more durable than standard tarmac
• Standard tarmac (DBM and dense macadam) proven, cost effective, durable in the Irish climate
• Dublin and Leinster coverage fast mobilisation, competitive pricing
• Combined driveways and drainage: French drains, channel drains, and soakaways included where needed
• Decorative borders and edgings: block paving, granite setts, concrete kerbing fully integrated
• Free quote and site visit no obligation

Tarmac vs Asphalt Driveways What's the Difference?

The terms tarmac and asphalt are used interchangeably in Ireland for driveway surfacing and in everyday use, they refer to the same product: a bituminous (bitumen bound) aggregate surface. In technical terms:

• Tarmac (Dense Bitumen Macadam / DBM) The most common driveway surfacing in Ireland. A dense bitumen bound aggregate, typically 40 mm deep on a compacted sub base. Cost effective, durable, black finish.
• SMA (Stone Mastic Asphalt) A premium surfacing mix with a higher bitumen content and gap graded aggregate. Produces a smoother, denser, more uniform finish. More resistant to rutting, deformation, and water ingress. Quieter underfoot. Used on higher specification residential and commercial driveways.
• Asphalt (Hot Rolled Asphalt / HRA) A specific bituminous mix with a smoother appearance; sometimes used for driveway surfaces where a premium black finish is required.

Mactar's team can advise on the appropriate mix and depth for your driveway based on use, ground conditions, and budget. See our comparison guide: Asphalt vs Tarmac Driveway: Which Is Right for You?

Driveway Services

New Tarmac Driveway Installation

Full new driveway construction from excavation through to finished surface:

1. Excavation: existing ground/materials removed to correct formation depth (typically 200 350 mm depending on ground conditions and surface design)
2. Sub base: compacted Type 1 MOT stone laid to correct depth and compacted with vibrating roller
3. Binder course: bituminous binder course (DBM) laid and compacted
4. Surface course: tarmac, SMA, or asphalt surface course laid with VÖGELE paver to consistent depth
5. Edging and borders: block paving, granite sett, or concrete kerbing as specified
6. Drainage: surface drainage channel at base of driveway, soakaway or connection as required

Driveway Resurfacing

Resurfacing an existing driveway involves overlaying or planing off the existing surface and laying a new surface course on the existing sub base, provided the sub base is sound. This is typically 40 60% cheaper than a full new installation and produces a like new finish when the existing structure is sound.

• Suitable when: the existing sub base is sound but the surface is cracked, potholed, worn, or faded
• Not suitable when: the driveway has heaving, significant structural failure, or poor drainage that needs to be resolved at formation level

Driveway Repair

Pothole and crack repair for driveways where the majority of the surface is in good condition but localised patches have failed. Mactar can cut and repair isolated failures cleanly, producing a neat repair that extends driveway life without full resurfacing.

Driveway Drainage

Planning permission requirements (particularly for driveways over 5 m² fronting a public road) require a permeable or drained surface. Mactar installs:

• Linear channel drains across the base of the driveway (discharging to storm or soakaway)
• French drains along driveway edges
• Soakaways tested to confirm ground permeability before installation
• Permeable tarmac options where planning conditions require SuDS compliance

Finishes and Borders

Tarmac Driveway FAQs

• How long does a tarmac driveway last?

  A correctly laid tarmac driveway on a sound sub base in Ireland typically lasts 20 30 years before major resurfacing is required provided it has been installed to correct depths and the drainage is managed. Driveways installed with inadequate sub base, insufficient thickness, or poor drainage fail significantly earlier. SMA surfaces, being denser and more durable, tend to outperform standard DBM tarmac over time.
• Do I need planning permission for a tarmac driveway in Ireland?

  Planning permission is not required for a standard tarmac driveway on a private dwelling in Ireland, provided the driveway has surface drainage to a soakaway, permeable area, or channel drain discharging to storm drainage not directly to the public road surface. Impermeable surfaces draining to the road require planning permission under S.I. No. 83 of 2007 (Planning and Development Regulations 2007). Mactar designs all driveways with appropriate drainage to comply without requiring planning permission in standard cases.
• How long after laying can I use my tarmac driveway?

  Standard tarmac (DBM) is typically ready for light pedestrian traffic within 24 hours and vehicle traffic within 24 48 hours after laying, depending on ambient temperature. In warm weather (>20°C), avoid parking on newly laid tarmac for 48 72 hours to prevent indentation from concentrated loads (e.g. car jacks, motorbike side stands).
• What is the difference between tarmac and block paving?

  Tarmac is a monolithic surface laid as a single sheet with no joints. It is less expensive per m², faster to install, and easier to maintain than block paving. Block paving has joints that can be prone to weed growth and requires periodic re sanding. Tarmac with a block paving or granite sett border combines the cost and durability advantages of tarmac with the aesthetic contrast of a decorative border the most popular option Mactar installs.

Service Area

Mactar installs tarmac and asphalt driveways across Dublin city and county, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, and the wider Leinster region. Contact us to confirm coverage for your location.