How much driveway material do I need?
Tarmac or resin-bound — enter the driveway size and depth and get the tonnes of tarmac, or the resin and aggregate for a resin-bound surface, plus the compacted hardcore sub-base underneath. A sense-check for quotes on a job that's usually laid by specialists. Free, no sign-up.
A guide, not a guarantee. Tarmac tonnage assumes a laid density of about 2.36 t/m³; resin-bound assumes roughly 3.9 kg of mix per m² for each mm of depth, of which about 7% is resin. Real figures depend on the aggregate, the mix and compaction, and both surfaces are usually laid by specialists over a properly built and edged sub-base. Edgings, a binder/base course under tarmac, a primer and weed control are extra. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Area, depth, density — and the base.
Tarmac is sold by the tonne. We take the area times the laid depth to get a volume, then convert to tonnes at about 2.36 tonnes per cubic metre. A driveway surface course is usually around 50 mm, over a base/binder course and a proper sub-base.
Resin-bound is mixed on site. Clear resin is blended with dried aggregate and trowelled out, typically 15–18 mm thick. We estimate roughly 3.9 kg of mix per square metre for each millimetre of depth, of which about 7% is resin and the rest aggregate — then split it out so you can price the resin kits and the stone.
The sub-base does the work. Both surfaces need a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base — about 150 mm for a car driveway — laid in layers and whacked down, with proper edge restraints. We size that in tonnes and one-tonne bulk bags too.
These are specialist jobs. Tarmac is laid hot and rolled; resin-bound is mixed against the clock in small batches. Most people get them installed — use this to sanity-check the quantities on a quote, not to lay it blind.
What this leaves out. The base/binder course under tarmac, a primer, edgings and channels, drainage, and weed control. Resin-bound must go over a sound, fully cured base (tarmac or concrete), not straight onto hardcore.
Keep every outdoor project in one place.
Stead remembers your home's measurements, the quotes and materials you chose and when each job was done — so the next project starts with the numbers already to hand.