If the appearance of your driveway isn’t what you desire, then you should look into tar and chip as an option. A tar and chip surface blends a flat paving material with a stone mix. Before you decide, read about how this paving solution works and the advantages of installing it. 

What is Tar and Chip?

A commercial paving company usually uses an asphalt mix to make the base and integrates stones to produce a surface that appears like gravel. So, they might begin by spreading the gravel stones over your driveway. Then, the commercial paving contractor pours an asphalt mix over the rocks and compresses them. As the mixture cools and sets, it connects the stones and produces a new surface.

Alternatively, a full-service paving contractor may work the other way around. They put down the asphalt first before putting the stones to the surface. Then, the stones are submerged into the asphalt when they solidify the mix.

The Look of Gravel without the Struggle

Moreover, if you choose to use tar and chip for your driveway, you will receive a gravel surface with no hassle. You don’t get a regular blacktop effect when using asphalt to make the surface. The stones embedded in the mix give the driveway a gravel surface. However, tar and chip have the upper hand over gravel. Its rocks are submerged into the surface and attached to the nearby asphalt.

Tar and chip won’t flow off the driveway into your grass, and they won’t assemble in piles as you drive over your driveway. In addition, you can use various types, sizes, and colors of stones to receive the design you desire when you create an asphalt driveway.

Quick Tar & Chip Installation & Less Maintenance

Furthermore, the driveway doesn’t need many time-consuming preparation steps as the installation is a fast process. Plus, the final result is ready to use a lot faster. Also, most driveways need constant maintenance. For instance, an asphalt driveway requires frequent seal coating to maintain it in excellent condition.

Instead, a tar and chip driveway doesn’t require seal coating. If your driveway does produce minor cracks, these cracks usually fill in during the warmer weather. The asphalt mix seals the cracks, and the stones enfold any small damaged areas.

Tar & Chip Provides Strong Traction

Lastly, a paved asphalt driveway is mostly smooth. However, this can be an issue when rain or snow settles on the asphalt surface. Also, you might slip on the surface if you walk on it. In contrast, tar and chip material are not as smooth as other paving options. The stones slightly poke out, providing the driveway a better anti-slip surface.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company for your driveway?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for the outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

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Tags: asphalt paving, driveway, driveway paving, tar and chip

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 5th, 2022 at 12:59 pm and is filed under Asphalt Paving. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.