What is a tar and chip Surfacing?
What Is a Tar-and-Chip Surfacing?
Should I Surface my driveway in Hot Tar & Chip in 2025?
Hot tar & chip is an excellent driveway dress coat surface choice for your driveway. It's quick to install, easy simple to process & more affordable than other surfaces like resin bound or tarmac.
When your driveway or private lane needs repair due to damage, a tar and chip driveway, also known as tar and bonded gravel, offers an affordable solution. Hot tar and chip surfacing is ideal for restoring old surfaces, especially if you want to make your property look smart quickly and affordable then hot tar & chip is ideal be for you. It looks fantastic and helps keep your home looking clean & smart. Hot tar & grit is also a great investment to smarten your driveway up quickly before selling your property. Most Hot tar & chip driveways can be completed easily in one day of work if surfacing only. Obviously if your driveway needs a lot of preparation works before surfacing like excavating or installing edges then it can average 2-4 car parking driveway would take 3 days work.
As said above hot tat & chip provides a cost-effective way to rejuvenate your property's value. This method can easily be applied over existing driveways like an old tar and chip driveway or old Tarmac driveway, block paving, or concrete after some necessary preparations. Revitalize your driveway or private road with hot tar and chip, no matter the current surface material.
If anyone is wondering if hot tar & chip is so great, then why is it so affordable? It's because Hot Tar & Chip is a surface dresser so unlike most other driveway options like resin bound that normally needs a new driveway full excavation to construct a new driveway sub base, Hot tar & chip is a surface dresser that is applied on top of an existing surface like tarmac or concrete etc.
As long as the existing surface is structurally sound then normally we would just use a commercial power leaf blower and power brush to clean the existing surface before we apply the hot tar & chip.
Tar & Chip on completion is normally 1 inch in depth or 15-25mm depth on completion compared to tarmac that is laid on average 60mm in depth ontop of type 1 or 30-35mm in depth if applying only a top coat of tarmac on-top of a base tarmac which should be anywhere from 60-100mm in depth for a domestic driveway.
Tar and chip driveways, also known as Tar & Grit, Hot tar & bonded gravel, or Tar & Gravel driveways, are a charming and cost-effective way to enhance your driveway and give your vehicles a smooth surface.
Hot tar and Chip surfacing is a superb option for your surfacing needs. This type of material is frequently used on driveways, private lanes, and surfacing roads. Ideal for country settings, tar and chip surfacing is particularly beneficial for large driveways and private lanes, offering both a secure footing and an evocative crunching sound when traversed. It is a fantastic choice for modern properties looking to blend security and aesthetics seamlessly.
How is Hot Tar & Chip applied?
Tar-and-chip pavement may resemble a gravel surface at first glance, but it has a unique installation process. The method involves applying a hot layer of liquid tar to the surface then spread chippings over the hot tar. The Chippings are normally 6-14mm chipping's in size.
These chippings are then rolled using a power roller to securely bond them to the liquid tar, leaving around 30% loose on the top layer. Depending on the condition of the pre-existing surface, the application of Tar & Chip can be done with either one or two coats. For surfaces with loose stones like type 1, it is essential to use two coats of hot liquid tar and gravel. Conversely, a solid Tarmac surface typically requires only one coat of hot tar and chip.
Tar and chip driveways, which use liquid Tar and stone, are a less expensive alternative to an asphalt/Tarmac driveway. Driveways made of tar and chips have a natural stone appearance and are far more stable than gravel driveways.
Usually, hot tar and chip are available in two color options: golden or grey granite.
Is a Tar-and-Chip Driveway Right for You?
If you seek a casual and budget-friendly paving solution, tar-and-chip pavement might just be the ideal choice for you. Allow us to assist you in making your decision by outlining the reasons why Tar and Chip could be the optimal selection for you.
Design and Appearance
Tar-and-chip driveways have a distinctly rural appearance. They work well in rural areas or unstructured environments. Tar and chip can be a good paving material for areas with long driveways because they are cost effective.
Tar and chip driveways have a top layer consisting of washed gravel, giving them the appearance of gravel walkways at first glance. Chances are, you have driven on one before. The bitumen layer beneath the crushed stone surface offers excellent cushioned traction for vehicles.
Tar & Chip Traction
Tar and chip driveways are comparable to asphalt in terms of surface traction, except from their capacity to support larger loads. When you utilize tar and chip as the substance, you can anticipate an automobile gliding that is free of bumps.
Tar & Chip, Convenience and Comfort
The tar-and-chip paving's roughness improves traction on slippery or snow-covered surfaces. Compared to tar and chip, asphalt and concrete are both more slick.
Tar & Chip Maintenance and Repairs
Tar & Chip is simple to repair damages, from oil or wear & tear. Tar-and-chip driveways demand minimal upkeep, requiring less sealing compared to asphalt. Typically, small cracks tend to mend on their own. The rejuvenation process of the surface involves adding additional hot bitumen and loose stone approximately every ten years.
In the winter, snowplows must exercise caution to avoid scraping the rough surface of the tar-and-chip paving. Opting for a shovel or snow blower over a plow is recommended, ensuring the blade hovers slightly above the surface during maintenance.
During the warmer seasons, the thinner layers of chip will melt, naturally repairing cracks and fractures present on the surface. For comprehensive repair, ensuring an even level or adding "tar" as needed, along with a fresh layer of chip is advised.
Installation of Hot Tar-and-chip
Most hard surfaces, such as tarmac, an ancient tar and chip driveway, concrete, etc., are laid with tar and chip if they are in good shape.
Tar and chip can be set on old tar and chip, but it cannot be laid on loose gravel. To prepare the surface, you must first sweep away any loose stones and dust.
Constructing a tar-and-chip driveway is a simple process. Initially, a newly compacted type 1 or tarmac, concrete solid base is laid down. Next, a hot liquid tar is sprayed over this foundation on a dust-free surface. Following this, washed chippings are evenly distributed over the liquid tar, with additional gravel added and rolled into the bitumen to form the final Hot Tar & Bonded Gravel surface.
You have the freedom to customize the appearance of your driveway by selecting the stones for the top layer. There is a wide range of colors available, allowing you to create a unique and visually appealing surface.
Although, Typically, granite, grey granite, or golden washed limestone chippings are commonly chosen due to their affordability and availability. While decorative gravel purchased in bulk bags may be pricier, opting for loose golden or grey gravel from a loading bucket is a more cost-effective alternative.
As long as the driveway materials are in reasonable condition, tar-and-chip can be applied over them.
After installing your tar and chip drive, you should wait 48 hours before allowing foot traffic to allow the surface to dry. It's best to wait a week before parking your car on your new driveway because the tar may only be fully cured after that time.
Given that tar and chip driveways are not as common as asphalt or gravel driveways, it can be difficult to locate experienced tar and chip driveway installers. At Ashdown Driveway Surfacing, our specialty lies in Hot Tar & Bonded gravel surfacing/Hot tar & chip.
Before hiring a local tradesperson, conduct your research and check internet evaluations and testimonies. Companies that specialize in asphalt installation may not specialize in chip sealing.
Do I need drainage for a driveway made of tar and chips?
Tar and chip surfaces do not naturally allow water to pass through, thus it is important to plan for adequate drainage when installing a chip driveway. To achieve proper drainage, it is recommended to avoid applying hot tar to the edges, allowing water to flow through the gravel and into the soil. This method ensures that the appearance of the surface remains consistent, whether coated with tar or gravel, while effectively managing water drainage.
What is the Best Weather to Install Tar and chip?
Tar & Gravel driveways require favorable weather for installation, with warm and dry conditions being ideal. In cooler weather, the asphalt may cool too rapidly, affecting the gravel's adhesion. Rain can wash away emulsified asphalt before it sets, so it's crucial to apply tar & chip on a dry, mild day to prevent this.
Conclusion
Choosing to invest in Tar & Chip is a smart decision due to its exceptional affordability and the considerable benefits it provides, which can enhance the value of your property. Aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective, and simple to apply. Hot Tar & Chip is truly invaluable.
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