Is your driveway showing signs of wear and tear? Is it time to have a new one? If you are looking for a new surfacing solution, you might want to consider tar and chip.
A tar and chip driveway, also called seal chip or chip-and-seal, is one of the most practical choices for paving materials. It may not be as popular as gravel or concrete, but you have probably driven over this surfacing solution as it is used in driveways, parking lots and roadways.
Why should you go for a tar and chip driveway? Let us help you decide by providing you with the advantages and disadvantages of this type of drive.
The Pros of a Tar and Chip Driveway
One of the biggest advantages of a tar and chip driveway is its ease of installation. The process starts with building the gravel base. This is followed by the pouring of hot liquid asphalt over the gravel. Then, loose stone chips are placed and rolled on top of the liquid asphalt.
Just like a tarmac driveway, a tar and chip drive can be built in just a day. While you can immediately walk on it after installation, it is best to wait for around 3 days before you drive or park on your new seal chip driveway.
Aside from the simple and quick installation process, several design options are available with this type of material. The top layer of the loose stones of a tar and chip driveway determines the colour of the drive, and there are many different colours you can choose from.
Simply put, you can create a unique and visually appealing drive with this type of material. All you have to do is to look at the catalogues from your provider and select which colour matches your home’s design.
If you want a slip-resistant surface, this type of driveway is definitely an excellent choice. With its rough surface, it offers better traction and minimises the risks of slip-related accidents especially during wet and snowy days.
A tar and chip driveway is also easy to maintain. As compared to asphalt and concrete drives, it hides oil leaks better. Moreover, its vibrant finish stays on even when it is not regularly treated.
In addition, a seal chip drive does not require periodic seal coating which is usually done with asphalt driveways every two or three years.
Basically, the only work you would need to do is to fix or replace stone chips which have been displaced from the asphalt.
Lastly, this type of driveway is affordable with its cost lower than concrete and asphalt drives. Since it is inexpensive, it is a practical choice if you have a long driveway.
The Cons of a Tar and Chip Driveway
Just like other types of driveways, a tar and chip drive also has disadvantages. One of the issues some property owners have is their longevity.
While concrete driveways can last for 40 to 50 years with minimal repairs, a seal chip driveway can last for around 10 o 15 years at best.
But you have to consider that the overall cost of installing this kind of drive is significantly lower than the concrete type. Moreover, repairing concrete driveways is also more expensive than tar and chip drives.
Another disadvantage of a seal chip driveway is that they can be difficult to clear when they get covered with snow. Having snow removed using a snowplough can damage the surface of the driveway. As a result, you need to repair the damages, and this means additional expense for you.
It can also be challenging to find driveway paving contractors in Dublin who can install tar and chip driveways. There are only a handful of driveway pavers with the proper skills and experience who can complete this task very well.
It should be noted that this is definitely not a DIY project. Installing a well-made and durable tar and chip drives requires know-how and experience that only trusted contractors have.
In summary, a tar and chip driveway is your best choice if you are looking for an inexpensive and easy-to-build driveway. It may have a shorter lifespan as compared to a concrete drive, but it is undeniably a cost-effective option given the cost of installing and maintaining it.
Planning to install a new drive? We have contractors who specialise in the installation of tar and chip driveways. Call us now on 0852139591 or email us to request a quote!
