<b><b>Do you specify blacktop or block pavers for your drives? Housebuilder talks to supporters of both sides about why their product is best for the housebuilder and the house buyer</b></b><br><b><b>Paul Boynton</b>, Tarmac&amp;’s asphalt product manager, explains how the asphalt industry has introduced a driveway product that can withstand the high loadings applied by the modern family car - and look good at the same time</b><br> The majority of housing estate roads and drives have traditionally been surfaced with asphalts and macadams. For many years these products have proved to be strong, durable and long-lasting, requiring a minimum amount of maintenance. But these materials are being tested to their limit with the advent of heavy domestic vehicles and, more critically, power steering.<p></p><p> As a result there have been failures of tarmac drives through deformation, prompting the industry to point out that the material selection criteria and construction of drives should not be any different than that for a major road. Indeed, some drives take more strain from point loading than the average motorway.</p><p> Using cheaper solutions - such as incorporating softened asphalts to help workability - can lead to problems. As a result the NHBC, having received a growing number of …