When should I use a roller compactor instead of a plate compactor?

Roller compactors are the right choice for road subgrade preparation, car park base layers, and asphalt surface compaction, anywhere covering a large open area efficiently matters more than manoeuvrability in tight spaces. They also handle thicker lifts than plate compactors, reducing the total number of passes needed to reach specified density across a large earthworks programme. Their size makes them impractical around structures, manholes, or narrow trenches, where a plate compactor remains the better tool. Sparkline Group's roller fleet includes both smooth-drum vibratory and pneumatic-tyred options for different surface finishing needs. Matching roller type to the specific layer being compacted, sub-base versus final asphalt surface, is worth discussing before hire.