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Tarmac & Shingle
For long drives, farm entrances, private lanes and busy commercial forecourts, tarmac and shingle remain the most cost-effective surfaces you can lay. We machine-lay and hand-finish both across Essex, from compact domestic driveways up to car parks complete with line marking.
Tarmac gives the lowest cost per square metre of any sealed surface; shingle brings period character and easy upkeep to rural frontages. Both live or die by the base course beneath them — and that is the part of the job where our pricing never cuts corners.
What We Offer
Tarmac Driveways
Tar & Shingle Driveways
Shingle Driveways
Driveway Resurfacing
Private Roads & Lanes
Paths & Walkways
Kerbs & Edging
Driveway Repairs
Surface Preparation & Groundworks
Experience
Decades of surfacing work — domestic drives, private roads, car parks and resurfacing contracts — have taught the team exactly how each base and wearing course combination performs.
Quality
Tarmac goes down in proper courses over compacted stone; shingle is laid at the right depth over a weed-suppressed, free-draining base so it neither ruts nor migrates.
Service
Our quotations set out preparation, base and finish as separate lines, so you can see exactly what you are paying for and compare like with like.
Overview
One is smooth and sealed, the other loose and decorative — but tarmac and shingle solve the same problem: covering large areas durably at a sensible cost. Tar-and-shingle surfacing sits between the two, binding decorative stone onto a solid tarmac base.
Tarmac driveways are a durable, low-maintenance and cost-effective solution for domestic and commercial properties. Their smooth, hard-wearing finish makes them ideal for everyday use, while offering a neat and professional appearance.
Tar and shingle surfacing combines a solid base with a decorative stone finish to create a practical surface with a more traditional look. It is a popular option for driveways, private roads and larger access areas where durability and value are important.
Both tarmac and shingle driveways are designed to be practical and easy to maintain. With the right installation and occasional upkeep, they provide reliable long-term performance and a cost-effective surface for everyday use.
Andy Harragan & Sons installs tarmac and shingle driveways with careful preparation, proper sub-base construction and attention to detail. Every project is built for strength, durability and a clean finished appearance.
A tarmac driveway offers a smart, durable and cost-effective surface for homes and commercial properties. It provides a clean finish, excellent longevity and a practical solution for high-use areas.
Shingle driveways create a more traditional and decorative appearance while remaining practical and versatile. Available in a range of stone sizes and colours, they are ideal for rural, period and larger properties.
Tar and shingle is a dependable solution for driveways, lanes and access roads, combining durability with a textured stone finish. It is a strong option where you want a practical surface with added character.
We also carry out driveway resurfacing, repairs and replacement work for worn or damaged tarmac and shingle surfaces. This helps restore appearance, improve function and extend the usable life of your driveway.
Testimonials
“Andy Harragan and Sons replaced my block paving drive with resin and fully replaced the patio, sleepers and lawn in my back garden. From the initial visit through to completion, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Andy and his team. Professional, polite, clean and nothing was too much trouble. I have recommended Andy to family and friends (and passers by admiring my drive!)”
Candice Tyler
Chelmsford, Essex
FAQ
For the same area, usually yes — and the advantage grows with size, because tarmac is machine-laid. That makes it the natural choice for long drives, lanes and car parks where paving every metre in blocks would be uneconomic.
A solid tarmac base dressed with decorative stone chippings rolled into the surface while it is still hot. You get the strength and weed resistance of tarmac with the traditional appearance of loose stone — and none of the raking.
If the base is sound we can regulate the existing surface and lay a new wearing course over it, which costs significantly less than full reconstruction. If the old surface is cracked through or rutted, overlaying only hides the problem — and we will tell you which applies honestly.
Not if it is built properly. We lay shingle at the correct depth over a compacted, weed-suppressed base and contain it with edging boards, kerbs or a bound apron at the entrance, which keeps the stone where it belongs.
Yes — car parks, access roads, farm entrances and line marking are regular work for us, including phased installations that keep part of the site usable while we surface the rest.
Contact
Direct access to our senior team. Fill in your details below and we typically respond within 2 hours.
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