Tar and Chip Paving in York: Pros and Cons
Is tar and chip paving right for your York, PA driveway?
The name “tar and chip” may not be familiar, but you have almost certainly seen driveways and roads built this way. You may know it as chip seal, chip and seal, or seal chip. It is rarely the first thing people think of for a driveway, since asphalt, concrete and gravel are more common, but it has real advantages on the right property.
Definition
What Is Tar and Chip Paving?
Tar and chip paving looks similar to asphalt but is laid differently. Hot liquid asphalt is sprayed over a prepared stone base, loose stone chips are spread over it, and the surface is rolled so the chips bed into the binder.
Pros
- Low cost
- Good traction
- Easy maintenance
- More long-lasting than gravel
Cons
- Shorter lifespan than asphalt
- Some loose stone early on
- Can be scraped by snowplows
Tar and Chip Driveway Cost
Because it is made from liquid asphalt and stone, it helps to compare tar and chip with gravel and with asphalt. A tar and chip driveway generally costs more than plain gravel and less than asphalt. What you pay depends on the size of the driveway, the condition of the base, and how much site preparation the job needs. As with asphalt, the price of oil is a large part of it, so the cost of these driveways tends to rise when oil does.
Gravel makes an inexpensive driveway, but tar and chip gives a harder, longer-lasting surface. A tar and chip driveway in York can last around 10 years before it needs a fresh layer.
Read Next: Check out the cost of tar and chip paving
Maintenance and Repair
Tar and chip needs little maintenance. Unlike asphalt, it does not need regular sealcoating, and small cracks tend to close up on their own in warm weather. The surface can be renewed every 10 years or so with fresh liquid asphalt and a new layer of stone.
The rough surface can be scraped by a snowplow that bears down too hard. If you plow, keep the blade slightly above the surface. A shovel or snow blower is the safer choice.
Paving Design
Tar and chip has a distinctly rustic look, so it suits rural properties and informal landscapes best. Because it is economical over distance, it is a good choice for long driveways.
Tar and Chip Driveway Installation
Building a tar and chip driveway is a straightforward process. First, as with most driveways, a stone base is installed and graded. Hot liquid asphalt is then sprayed over the base, followed by a layer of loose stone chips, which are rolled into the binder to form the finished surface. The top layer of stone is where you get a choice: different stone colors give the driveway a different look.
Tar and chip can also be laid over an existing driveway, provided it is in reasonably good shape.
It is not a DIY project. It takes a distributor truck, a chip spreader, a roller and a crew that has done it before. We install tar and chip across York County.
Comfort and Convenience
The texture of tar and chip gives better traction when the surface is wet or snow-covered. Smooth asphalt and concrete are both more slippery.
Tar and Chip vs. Asphalt
Most tar and chip paving today does not use true tar. It uses liquid asphalt, also called bitumen. Both are sticky black binders, but tar comes from coal while bitumen comes from crude oil.
When people say “asphalt” for a paved surface, they mean a hot mix of liquid asphalt and stone that is blended at a plant, laid while hot and compacted. Tar and chip differs because the binder and the stone go down in separate layers on site.
Tar and chip gives a more informal look than asphalt. It costs less, and it does not last as long.
Is a Tar-and-Chip Driveway Right for You?
Tar and chip may be your best choice if you want an economical surface with a natural, informal look. Some town and suburban communities have ordinances or covenants that restrict it for driveways, so check your local rules first.
Is Tar and Chip Right for Your Property?
| Good fit if | Consider asphalt instead if |
|---|---|
| You have a long or rural driveway | You plow heavily every winter |
| You want a natural stone look | You want a smooth, uniform black surface |
| You would rather skip sealcoating | You need a surface for basketball or wheeled play |
| You want extra traction on a slope | Loose stone would be a problem for you |
Key Takeaways
- We install tar and chip across York County and south central PA.
- It suits longer rural drives and sloped approaches.
- No sealcoating required, unlike smooth asphalt.
- Heavy winter plowing is the main reason to choose asphalt instead.
- The base still decides how long the surface lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you install tar and chip driveways in York, PA?
Yes. York County is part of our regular service area from our base in Dillsburg, and tar and chip is one of the surfaces we install for residential and rural properties.
Is tar and chip a good choice for a long rural driveway?
It is one of the better options. The textured surface grips well, it handles longer runs economically, and it does not need sealcoating.
How soon can I drive on a new tar and chip driveway?
Usually within a day, though driving slowly for the first week or two helps the stone settle and reduces how much works loose.
What maintenance does tar and chip need?
Very little. Sweep up loose stone early on, keep water draining off the surface, and add a fresh chip layer when it eventually wears thin.
Can you convert a gravel driveway to tar and chip?
Often yes. If the stone base is sound and properly graded, tar and chip can be applied over it. We check the base first.
