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Your driveway becomes a solid, weather-resistant surface that handles Tennessee’s hot summers and wet winters without cracking or washing away like gravel. You get excellent traction year-round, especially when roads get slick.
The textured finish looks clean but natural—perfect for rural properties and homes that want character without the concrete look. You can choose from different stone colors to match your property’s style.
Most importantly, you’re done worrying about annual sealcoating, crack filling, or constant maintenance. The surface handles daily traffic for 7-10 years with virtually no upkeep required.
TriStar Paving is a veteran-owned company that’s been serving Wilson County and the greater Nashville area for over 50 years. We understand what works in Middle Tennessee’s climate and soil conditions.
Gallatin’s growing economy—with major employers like Meta, Gap, and Beretta—means more families are investing in their properties. We’ve watched the area develop and know what local homeowners need: reliable paving that doesn’t break the budget.
Our team focuses on residential and commercial clients who want quality work without the runaround. When you’re dealing with a 50-year track record, you’re not getting someone learning on your driveway.
First, we prepare the base by grading and compacting the existing surface or laying a proper stone foundation. This step determines how long your driveway lasts, so we don’t cut corners here.
Next comes the hot liquid asphalt application. The timing has to be precise—the asphalt needs to be at the right temperature when the stone chips go down. We spread the chips evenly across the hot surface, then use heavy rollers to embed them into the asphalt.
The final step is compaction and cleanup. The stones get locked into place, creating that textured surface that gives you traction and durability. You can drive on it immediately—no waiting days for it to cure like concrete.
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Every tar and chip installation includes proper site preparation, quality materials, and professional application. We use proven techniques that work specifically in Middle Tennessee’s climate conditions.
In Gallatin’s growing residential areas, we see a lot of long driveways where traditional asphalt costs become prohibitive. Tar and chip gives these homeowners a permanent solution at roughly half the cost. The natural stone finish also complements the rural character that many Gallatin residents prefer.
For commercial properties, we handle low-traffic areas like secondary entrances, farm roads, and storage areas where you need durability without the expense of full asphalt. The textured surface provides better traction than smooth asphalt, which matters during Tennessee’s unpredictable weather.
Tar and chip typically costs 30-50% less than traditional asphalt paving. While asphalt might run $4-6 per square foot, tar and chip usually comes in around $2-5 per square foot, depending on your specific site conditions and stone choice.
The real savings show up over time. Asphalt requires sealcoating every 3 years, plus crack filling and repairs. Tar and chip is essentially maintenance-free for its 7-10 year lifespan. When you factor in those ongoing costs, the total savings can be significant.
A properly installed tar and chip driveway typically lasts 7-10 years, though some can extend to 15 years with light traffic and good initial installation. The lifespan depends heavily on the quality of the base preparation and the traffic it handles.
Unlike asphalt that gradually deteriorates and needs regular maintenance, tar and chip tends to hold up well until it’s time for replacement. The stones can self-seal minor cracks when the weather gets hot, which helps extend the surface life without intervention.
Yes, in many cases tar and chip can be applied over existing asphalt or concrete, provided the base is structurally sound. This is actually one of the most cost-effective ways to resurface a worn driveway.
The existing surface needs to be evaluated first. If there are major cracks, settling, or drainage issues, those need to be addressed before the tar and chip application. But if your current driveway is just worn or faded, tar and chip can give it new life at a fraction of the cost of complete replacement.
Tar and chip is considered virtually maintenance-free. Unlike asphalt that needs sealcoating every few years, tar and chip surfaces don’t require any regular treatments. The stones are embedded in the asphalt, so they stay put under normal traffic.
Occasionally you might need to sweep away loose debris or add a few stones if heavy vehicles dislodge some, but that’s about it. The surface doesn’t need sealcoating, crack filling, or other routine maintenance that traditional asphalt requires.
Tar and chip actually performs very well in Tennessee’s climate. The textured surface provides excellent traction during wet weather, and it handles freeze-thaw cycles better than many other paving options. The stones create natural drainage channels that help water move off the surface.
During hot Tennessee summers, the asphalt can soften slightly, which actually helps small cracks self-seal. This is different from smooth asphalt that can become sticky or soft. The stone chips provide a stable driving surface even when temperatures soar.
Stone color is largely a personal preference, but there are practical considerations for Middle Tennessee properties. Gray and brown tones tend to complement most home styles and blend well with the natural landscape around Gallatin.
Lighter colored stones can help reflect heat during summer months, while darker stones might hide stains better. Local stone varieties are typically the most cost-effective option and tend to look natural in the area. We can show you samples and discuss what works best for your specific property and budget.
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