Tar and Chip is another term for the same pavement as Chip and Seal. Tar and chip seal can also be called chip seal, oil and stone, or asphaltic surface treatment (macadam).
It's a pavement surface treatment that includes more layers of asphalt and fine aggregate. It was the original asphalt used for driveways and parking lots.
Low-traffic country roads are more likely to have chip-seals installed than higher traffic ones. For half the price of asphalt, chip-seal is widely used on subdivision roads and ranch roads.
Learn More about Tar and Chip Seal
A driveway may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of it. Many of us have seen driveways and roads constructed using a method known as "tar-and-chip." Chip-and-seal, seal chip, macadam, or liquid-asphalt-and-stone are just a few of the more familiar names. Tar-and-chip may be new to you, but that doesn't mean you should disregard it.
Other resurfacing technologies are equivalent in durability and efficacy. The most cost-effective option is to resolve streets and pavements using tar and chip sealing. Still, this one costs far less (compared to pavement overlays, with a 25–40% cost savings) and is widely employed throughout North America by municipalities, shopping malls, and office buildings.
A tar-and-chip driveway provides a more stable base than asphalt or ordinary gravel. In contrast to smooth poured concrete, which may be slippery when wet or coated in snow, it also has a rough texture.
When sealing asphalt and keeping out water, tar and chip paving is a better alternative since it is smoother and more cost-effective than fixing gaps in driveways and parking lots. Using chip and tar pavement on new pavement may improve traction and extend the life of older, structurally sound pavement that has begun to degrade and may have surface damage.
At Boswell's Paving, we only use the best tar and chip seal for your home or business. Whether you need a driveway or parking lot, we have the know-how and resources to make your vision a reality.
Understanding the Benefits of Tar Seal and Chip Seal
We recommend a tar-and-chip seal because it offers many benefits to you, your property, and yourself. These are some of the benefits you should consider.
Eliminates the Need for Sealcoating
Over time, sealcoating of tar and chip pavement is not necessary. You won't have to reseal it when you have a new Tar and Chip driveway or road. Every five to seven years, asphalt sealcoating should be redone to a conventional surface.
Gives New Life To Weathered Surfaces
Paving tar and chips can smooth out a rough, dusty gravel road. Excavation and correct construction of a new foundation are prerequisites for constructing a regular driveway or street.
Can Be Used To Repave Existing Pavement
If the structure of an old pavement is in excellent shape, there is no need to destroy and remove it before repaving or resurfacing.
A More Economical Solution
It costs less because of the differences outlined above. It is the primary reason why chip paving is so popular.
Offers Excellent Durability
A tar and chip seal is a kind of pavement made by rolling 3/8" chip rock into a hot liquid asphalt layer and compacting it with a roller. The ideal choice for this sort of pavement is a dirt or blacktop base.
Once it is finished, the new pavement looks like a gravel driveway. The only difference is that the hot tar & rock have solidified to form a robust and single-pavement pavement.
Provides Virtually Maintenance-Free
Tar and chip seal pavement will be seen on roads, driveways, and parking lots because it is much more affordable than other pavement options. It's durable and easy to maintain.
Enhances Traction and Texture of the Surface
Cold climates can make concrete slippery. In wet environments, slippery concrete can also be a problem. A tar and chip driveway or parking area is more rugged and offers better traction to avoid accidents.
Here are some other benefits of chip sealing and tar:
- Beautiful appearance
- Extremely durable
- Weatherproofing is excellent.
- Protects the underlying pavement against oxidation, aging, and traffic wear.
- Large amounts of asphalt can be covered at half the price of paved asphalt.
- It creates a natural and clean look in the landscape.
- There are many rock colors available.
- An alternative to a long-lasting driveway
Installation of Tar and Chip
Hot liquid bitumen asphalt is coated with layers of gravel and then rolled into a finished product. This rough surface is great for steep slopes and provides excellent traction in wet conditions. Larger rocks can create a firmer texture that allows for more traffic, making them a perfect choice for your farm road or commercial road.
Here is a complete guide on installing tar and chips:
- First, the road surface is thoroughly cleansed of trash, and then holes are filled up.
- A sufficient layer of commercial road foundation is laid.
- Asphalt is sprayed onto the road base in a thin, uniform layer.
- The chips are rolled into a thin layer using a chip spreader.
- The addition of one more layer of hot liquid asphalt.
- Another layer of chips is added and rolled to complete the process.
Options for Tar and Chips
Customers may choose to add different types of pavement to their driveway—concrete ribbon-curbs using Chip and Seal as their primary driveway material. It is recommended to use asphalt around your home for longer driveways and to have a chip and seal driveway leading to it. Mixing pavement elements can save you money and give you the best pavement.
Tar and Chip Maintenance
Ten years is the maximum lifespan of tar and chip pavement. Since no sealcoating is required, the lifespan of tar and chip is directly proportional to the number of layers that have been placed. Nonetheless, it is equally as long-lasting and reliable as a blacktop.
Cost of Tar and Chip
As the scope of the project increases, chip seal becomes a more cost-effective option. A tar-and-chip driveway costs roughly twice as much as a gravel driveway and half as much as an asphalt driveway. Commodity price variations might affect the pricing of these driveways.
Appearance of Tar and Chips
The chip seal can look very rustic or polished, depending on the gravel used. It is similar to a gravel road but with no loose gravel or dust-ups. You can use a variety of rocks, including granite, white and pink, slate, brown and beige river rocks, to achieve the desired texture and look.