This guide uses facts already published on the RKG site: residential and commercial tarmac work, courtyards, access roads, commercial yards, block paving 25+ year comparison data, resin and shingle drainage trade-offs, 150mm MOT Type 1 references, edge restraints, access checks, measured site visits and fixed written quotes.
Quick answer
For commercial driveway surfacing and access roads, start by comparing tarmac and block paving, then check whether resin or shingle has a role for lower-traffic or appearance-led areas. RKG's tarmac page already positions hot-rolled tarmac for residential and commercial driveways, courtyards, access roads and commercial yards, while existing guide content explains that the right surface still depends on base, edging, drainage and vehicle use.
Commercial surfacing comparison
| Surface | Existing RKG facts | Commercial-use checks |
|---|---|---|
| Tarmac | Hot-rolled binder and surface courses, residential and commercial work, access roads, commercial yards, 15–20 year lifespan and low maintenance. | Confirm the surface build-up, entrance apron, turning areas, edge restraints, curing window and drainage route. |
| Block paving | Comparison tables list a 25+ year lifespan, design flexibility, light maintenance and permeable options. | Ask how excavation, MOT Type 1, compaction, edge restraints, falls and any permeable construction are specified. |
| Resin bound | Premium, very low-maintenance and SuDS-compliant when correctly specified. | Check whether the base and turning areas suit the expected vehicles before choosing resin mainly for appearance. |
| Shingle and gravel | Lower-cost and permeable, with stabilising-grid guidance for slopes and raking/top-up maintenance. | Use carefully where vehicles turn repeatedly because loose stone movement, grids, edging and maintenance become more important. |
Specification details to get in writing
A commercial or shared-use surface should not be agreed as a surface-only price. Ask for the measured area, excavation, MOT Type 1 sub-base, compaction, membranes, edging, drainage route, access assumptions, surface build-up, aftercare and guarantee to be written into the quote.
RKG's existing tarmac process references a heavy-duty membrane, 150mm MOT Type 1 in compacted lifts, edge restraints, a 50–60mm binder course and a 25–40mm surface course. If a quote is for a different surface, the same principle applies: the hidden preparation should be clear enough to compare.
Access and drainage checks
Commercial areas often have different access pressures from a domestic driveway: larger deliveries, more turning, shared entrances, long carries, skip positions or sections that must stay usable during the work. RKG's existing guidance says access can affect labour and programme, so those assumptions belong in the written quote.
Drainage still decides whether the surface is practical. RKG's drainage guides cover falls, permeable surfaces, channel drains, soakaways and the 5m² non-permeable front-drive rule. A non-permeable tarmac area may still be the right surfacing choice, but the water route should be agreed before work starts.
Questions before booking a visit
- What traffic will use the area? Note cars, vans, deliveries, repeated turning and any heavy daily use.
- Where are the stress points? Entrance apron, turning area, bin-store route, garage threshold, yard gate or shared access.
- What base is included? Ask for excavation depth, MOT Type 1, compaction, membrane and any weaker-ground preparation.
- How are edges protected? Kerbs, hidden steel edging or block-paved borders help prevent edge failure.
- Where will water go? Confirm falls, channel drains, soakaways, permeable borders or permeable construction.
- What is the handover plan? Check curing, reopening for vehicle use, aftercare, paperwork and guarantee.
Related RKG guides
Before comparing quotes, read the tarmac driveway service, heavy-use driveway guide, sub-base preparation guide, drainage solutions guide, access and layout checklist and driveway quote checklist.