Hear from Our Customers
You’re tired of throwing money at a gravel driveway that washes away every time it rains hard. Or maybe you got a quote for regular asphalt and nearly choked on the number.
Here’s what changes when you choose tar and chip paving: You get a surface that locks those loose stones in place for good. No more raking gravel back into position after every storm. No more dust clouds when vehicles drive up. No more explaining to guests why your driveway looks like a construction zone.
The textured surface grips your tires better than smooth asphalt, especially when it’s wet or icy. You’ll actually feel more confident pulling into your driveway during Tennessee’s unpredictable weather. And the natural stone appearance fits right into Alexandria’s rural landscape without looking out of place.
We’ve been installing tar and chip driveways across Wilson County and the greater Nashville area for over 50 years. We’re veteran-owned, which means we understand the value of doing things right the first time.
Alexandria sits in an area where rural properties meet suburban growth. We know exactly how to handle the unique challenges this creates—from long farm lanes that need cost-effective solutions to suburban driveways that need to look polished while staying within budget.
Our clients come back for additional projects, which tells you something about the quality of our work. When someone trusts you with their second driveway or recommends you to their neighbor, that’s earned trust, not marketing talk.
The installation starts with proper site preparation. Our crew grades and levels your driveway area to prevent drainage issues that could undermine the surface later. This foundation work matters more than most people realize.
Next comes the application of heated chip oil using specialized equipment. This liquid asphalt gets spread evenly across the prepared base, creating the binding layer that will hold everything together. The timing here is critical—the oil needs to be at the right temperature for optimal adhesion.
Then we spread the stone chips over the hot oil and use heavy-duty rollers to press the stones into the binding layer. This creates the mechanical bond that gives tar and chip its durability. We often apply a second layer to ensure the surface will handle years of traffic without premature failure.
The final step involves removing any loose stones and allowing the surface to cure. You can typically drive on it the same day, though we’ll give you specific guidance based on weather conditions and your particular installation.
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Our tar and chip service includes everything needed for a complete installation. Site preparation, proper grading, quality materials, professional application, and cleanup are all part of the standard process. You’re not dealing with shortcuts or corner-cutting.
In Alexandria and surrounding Wilson County areas, our service adapts to local conditions. The rural nature of many properties here means longer driveways where cost becomes a major factor. Tar and chip delivers the durability needed for these applications while keeping costs reasonable.
The stone selection process lets you choose colors that complement your property. Whether you want something that blends with the natural Tennessee landscape or a specific color that matches your home’s exterior, the material options support that flexibility. Local stone sources help keep costs down while imported specialty stones remain available for custom applications.
Climate considerations matter in this region. Tennessee’s freeze-thaw cycles can be hard on pavement, but tar and chip handles these temperature changes better than many alternatives. The textured surface also provides better traction during the occasional ice storms that hit this area.
Tar and chip typically costs 30-50% less than traditional hot-mix asphalt paving. For a standard two-car driveway in Alexandria, you’re looking at roughly $700 to $2,900 depending on size and site conditions, compared to $2,000 to $6,000 for equivalent asphalt work.
The cost difference comes from the materials and installation process. Tar and chip uses less refined asphalt and relies on locally available stone, which keeps material costs down. The installation is also less labor-intensive than full-depth asphalt construction.
Keep in mind that while the upfront cost is lower, tar and chip typically needs resurfacing every 7-10 years. However, this maintenance cost is still significantly less than replacing an asphalt driveway, making it cost-effective over the long term for most applications.
A properly installed tar and chip driveway in Tennessee typically lasts 7-10 years before needing resurfacing. With excellent installation and ideal conditions, some surfaces extend to 15 years or more.
Tennessee’s climate actually works well for tar and chip. The freeze-thaw cycles that can crack concrete and asphalt are less problematic for this surface type. The flexible nature of the asphalt binder allows for thermal expansion and contraction without creating structural damage.
Traffic volume affects longevity more than weather in most cases. A residential driveway with normal car and light truck traffic will reach the full lifespan, while areas with heavy equipment or high-volume traffic may need attention sooner. Regular maintenance like sweeping away debris helps maximize the surface life.
Yes, tar and chip can often be installed over an existing gravel driveway, but the condition of that base determines the success of the project. The gravel needs to be properly graded and compacted to create a stable foundation.
If your gravel driveway has good drainage and the stones are well-compacted, it can serve as an excellent base for tar and chip installation. However, if there are soft spots, poor drainage, or significant rutting, those issues need to be addressed first.
The preparation work might include adding more gravel, regrading for proper drainage, or compacting loose areas. This additional work affects the overall cost, but it’s essential for a long-lasting result. Skipping necessary base preparation leads to premature failure and ultimately costs more than doing it right initially.
Tar and chip driveways are relatively low-maintenance compared to other paving options. The most important regular maintenance is sweeping away debris and loose stones, particularly after the first few months when any unbound stones work their way to the surface.
Unlike asphalt driveways, tar and chip doesn’t require regular sealcoating. The stone surface naturally resists UV damage and water penetration. Small cracks that do develop often self-seal as the asphalt binder flows and settles.
The main maintenance task is addressing any potholes or significant damage promptly. These can be repaired with cold-patch asphalt filler, but catching them early prevents larger problems. Most homeowners find the maintenance requirements much more manageable than keeping up with traditional asphalt or dealing with constantly shifting gravel.
Tar and chip can work on moderate slopes, but steep driveways present challenges that need to be evaluated case-by-case. The textured surface actually provides better traction than smooth asphalt on inclines, which is an advantage.
The main concern with steep applications is the potential for the liquid asphalt to run downhill during installation before it sets properly. We have techniques to manage this, including temperature control and application timing, but there are practical limits.
For very steep driveways, alternatives like concrete or specialized asphalt mixtures might be more appropriate. A site evaluation can determine whether tar and chip is suitable for your specific slope and conditions. We’ll be honest about the limitations rather than attempting an installation that’s likely to fail.
You can typically drive on a tar and chip driveway the same day it’s installed, usually within a few hours of completion. This quick cure time is one of the advantages over traditional asphalt, which often requires 24-48 hours before vehicle traffic.
The exact timing depends on weather conditions, particularly temperature and humidity. Hot, dry conditions allow faster curing, while cool or humid weather may extend the wait time slightly. We’ll give you specific guidance based on the day’s conditions.
During the first few weeks, you may notice some loose stones working to the surface. This is normal and doesn’t indicate a problem with the installation. Simply sweep these away as needed. The surface continues to tighten and stabilize over the first month, reaching its full durability as the stones and binder achieve their final bond.
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