Resin vs Block Paving vs Tarmac: Which Driveway Surface Is Best for Your Home in Ireland?
Three surfaces, three trade-offs
Resin bound, block paving and tarmac are the three most common driveway surfaces in Dublin and Wicklow. Each one does the job — a solid, durable surface you can drive and walk on every day — but they differ on cost, appearance, maintenance, drainage and how long they last. This guide compares all three so you can choose the right surface for your home and budget.
Platinum Paving Dublin installs all three. We have been paving driveways, patios and car parks in South Dublin and North Wicklow for over twenty years, using our own crew on every job. If you are not sure which surface suits your property, a free site visit is the quickest way to find out.
Resin bound driveways
Resin bound is the newest of the three and has grown rapidly in Ireland since 2018. Natural stone aggregate — quartz, granite, flint or marble — is mixed with clear UV-stable resin and trowelled onto a prepared base to create a smooth, seamless finish.
Pros of resin bound
Appearance: The widest colour range of any driveway surface — from golden quartz to charcoal basalt and custom blends. The finish looks like natural stone because it is natural stone.
Drainage: Fully permeable. Water drains straight through the surface into the sub-base. No puddles, no ice patches, and no need for a separate drainage channel in most cases. This also means resin bound usually meets planning requirements for SuDS (sustainable drainage systems).
Maintenance: Very low. No joints for weeds, no sealing needed. An occasional rinse with a hose or pressure washer keeps it clean.
Speed: The resin surface itself can be laid in a day once the base is ready. A full project typically takes three to five days.
Overlay: Resin bound can be laid over sound existing tarmac or concrete, which saves digging out the old surface and reduces cost and disruption.
Cons of resin bound
Cost: Mid to upper range. The surface course costs €75–110/m², and a full project for a 50 m² driveway typically runs €5,000–€8,000.
Base quality matters: Resin bound is a thin surface (15–18 mm), so the base underneath must be solid, level and well-drained. A poor base will crack the resin within a year or two.
Not DIY: Mixing and laying resin bound requires skill and speed — the resin sets within 30 minutes. This is a specialist trade, not a weekend project.
Block paving driveways
Block paving — also called brick paving or interlocking paving — uses individual concrete or clay blocks laid in a pattern on a compacted sand-and-gravel base. It has been the most popular driveway surface in Irish housing estates since the 1990s.
Pros of block paving
Appearance: Good range of colours, shapes and patterns. Herringbone, basketweave and stretcher bond are the most common. Clay blocks offer richer, more natural colours than concrete.
Durability: Individual blocks can be lifted and replaced if one cracks or stains, without disturbing the rest of the driveway.
Strength: Block paving handles heavy loads well, which is why it is widely used for shared driveways and car parks.
Cons of block paving
Weeds and moss: The joints between blocks are the main weakness. Sand washes out over time, and weeds, moss and ants colonise the gaps. Keeping block paving weed-free requires regular brushing, weed killer or re-sanding every couple of years.
Sinking and shifting: If the base is not compacted properly, or tree roots push underneath, individual blocks can sink, tilt or ride up. Fixing this means lifting and re-laying a section.
Drainage: Standard block paving is not permeable — water runs off the surface into a drain or gully. Permeable block paving exists but costs more and requires a different sub-base.
Time: Block paving takes longer to lay than resin or tarmac — typically five to seven days for a standard driveway.
Cost: Mid range. A full project for a 50 m² driveway typically runs €4,500–€8,000 depending on the block type and pattern.
Tarmac driveways
Tarmacadam — tarmac for short — is the oldest and most straightforward option. Hot asphalt is machine-laid and rolled to create a smooth, hard-wearing surface. It is the standard surface for roads, car parks and commercial yards across Ireland.
Pros of tarmac
Cost: The cheapest of the three. A full tarmac driveway project for 50 m² typically costs €3,000–€5,500.
Speed: Tarmac can be laid quickly — a standard driveway usually takes two to three days including base preparation.
Strength: Handles heavy vehicles and regular traffic. Ideal for shared driveways, farm entrances and commercial yards.
Proven: Tarmac has been the default driveway surface in Ireland for decades. Every contractor knows how to lay it and there are no supply issues.
Cons of tarmac
Appearance: Limited to black or dark grey. Fresh tarmac looks smart, but it fades to a dull grey within a few years and can develop oil stains that are difficult to remove.
Drainage: Not permeable. Water sits on the surface and runs off to the edges. A drainage channel or gully is usually needed.
Maintenance: Tarmac develops cracks over time, especially where tree roots push underneath or the base settles. Small cracks can be filled; larger ones may need patching or resurfacing.
Lifespan: Typically 15–20 years before resurfacing is needed, compared with 20–25+ for resin bound and 25–30+ for well-maintained block paving.
Side-by-side comparison
Feature | Resin bound | Block paving | Tarmac |
Cost (50 m² full project) | €5,000–€8,000 | €4,500–€8,000 | €3,000–€5,500 |
Lifespan | 20–25 years | 25–30+ years | 15–20 years |
Colour options | Very wide | Wide | Black/dark grey |
Drainage | Fully permeable | Not permeable* | Not permeable |
Weed growth | None | Common in joints | Rare |
Maintenance | Very low | Moderate | Low–moderate |
Install time | 3–5 days | 5–7 days | 2–3 days |
Can overlay existing | Yes (tarmac/concrete) | No | Yes (tarmac) |
Repair | Patch sections | Replace individual blocks | Fill or resurface |
* Permeable block paving is available at extra cost.
Which surface should you choose?
Choose resin bound if you want a wide colour choice, low maintenance, natural drainage and a clean modern finish. It is the best all-rounder for most residential driveways in Dublin and Wicklow.
Choose block paving if you want a traditional look, the ability to replace individual blocks, and maximum long-term durability. Be prepared for weed management in the joints.
Choose tarmac if cost is the priority, you need a surface for heavy vehicles, or the driveway is very large and the per-metre price matters most.
Not sure? We install all three and can talk you through the options during a free site visit. We will never push one surface over another — the right choice depends on your house, your budget and how you use the space.
Get a free quote
Call us on 085 101 1821 or fill in the contact form to book a free site visit anywhere in Dublin or Wicklow. We will measure up, discuss surface options and send a written quote within a few days.
FAQ
Is resin bound more expensive than tarmac?
Yes. A resin bound driveway typically costs 40–60% more than tarmac for the same area. The difference buys you a wider colour choice, natural drainage, lower maintenance and a longer lifespan.
Can I lay resin bound over my old tarmac?
Yes, if the tarmac is level, sound and draining properly. An overlay saves roughly a third of the cost of a full dig-out and new base. We check the condition during a free site visit.
Which driveway surface lasts longest?
Well-maintained block paving can last 30 years or more. Resin bound typically lasts 20–25 years. Tarmac usually needs resurfacing after 15–20 years. All three depend heavily on the quality of the base underneath.
Which surface is best for drainage?
Resin bound is the only fully permeable option of the three. Water drains straight through the surface. Standard block paving and tarmac both shed water to the edges and need a drain or gully.
Do you install all three surfaces?
Yes. Platinum Paving Dublin installs resin bound, block paving and tarmac driveways, as well as patios, paths and commercial paving, across South Dublin and North Wicklow.
Related guides
More from Platinum Paving Dublin on driveways, costs and local installers:
What You Need to Know About Resin Bound Driveways — benefits, how they are made and what they cost.
Resin Driveway Colours: How to Choose the Right Aggregate — golden quartz, silver grey, charcoal and custom blends.
Driveway Cost in Dublin 2026 — what you can expect to pay for resin bound, block paving and tarmac.
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