Your Essential Guide
A tar and chip driveway is a brilliant choice for any property. If you’re considering it for your home or business premises, here is everything you need to know; including the benefits and how the tar and chip process is carried out.
What Are Tar and Chip Driveways?
Tar and chip driveways are made up of a base layer of crushed stone or gravel that is topped with a layer of hot liquid tar. Once the tar has been applied, a layer of small stones or aggregate is then spread over the surface. This is then compacted into the tar. Altogether, this creates a textured, durable surface that suits a huge range of properties.
The Benefits
There are a number of reasons to have a tar and chip driveway installed on your property. Here are just a few:
Visual appeal: Tar and chip drives have a rustic, natural appearance and can be customised to suit your preferences. This makes them incredibly versatile
Durability: Tar and chip driveways are highly durable and resistant to cracking and can stand up to plenty of footfall and vehicle use. They are also extremely resilient in the face of bad weather, which is always a possibility in the UK!
Low maintenance: Routine sweeping is all that is needed to keep a tar and chip driveway in great condition. This very low maintenance means that you won’t have to spend a lot of time and money on its upkeep.
Environmentally friendly: Tar and chip driveways are considered more environmentally friendly than paved or concrete options. Why? Natural stone is often used, and the permeable surface of the drive allows water to drain away naturally.
Understanding the Installation Process
Let’s begin with the preparation on the site. The area where the driveway will be installed is cleared of any plants and debris and any existing paving will be removed. Then, once the area is ready, a layer of crushed stone is spread and compacted to create a stable base for the driveway. Hot liquid tar is then applied to the prepared surface using specialised equipment. This forms a bonding layer for the stone chips.
The chips are then evenly spread over the hot tar and compacted into the surface using a roller or compactor. Again, this is something that should only ever be carried out by a professional with the right equipment. The entire surface is compacted once again to ensure proper bonding and stability. The driveway is then left to cure for a while before it can be used. This is usually somewhere between 24 to 48 hours. Don’t worry, your contractor will advise you on how soon you can use your new drive.
The Right Choice for Your Property?
Tar and chip driveways are becoming more and more popular, and it’s not hard to see why. So why not reach out to a trusted local contractor today?
