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Your driveway stops being a problem when you choose tar and chip paving. No more dusty gravel tracking into your house every time it rains. No more cracked asphalt that makes your property look neglected.
You get a surface that handles Tennessee weather without falling apart. The natural stone texture looks better than plain asphalt, and it costs significantly less than you’d expect. Most homeowners are surprised to learn they can get professional paving results for about half what traditional asphalt costs.
The best part? It’s built to last. This isn’t a temporary fix that’ll need replacing in a few years. When installed properly, tar and chip surfaces can handle decades of use while maintaining their appearance and functionality.
We bring over five decades of paving experience to every job in Murfreesboro and the greater Nashville area. As a veteran-owned company based in Wilson County, we understand the value of doing things right the first time.
Local property owners choose us because they’ve seen our results around town. From residential driveways that still look great after years of use to commercial parking areas that handle heavy traffic without issues, our work speaks for itself.
We specialize in tar and chip installations alongside traditional asphalt services, giving you options that fit your budget and timeline. We’re not the cheapest option in town, but we’re the one that delivers lasting results without the headaches.
The tar and chip process starts with proper site preparation. The existing surface gets graded and prepared to ensure proper drainage and a solid foundation. This step determines how well your finished driveway will perform long-term.
Next comes the application of hot liquid asphalt, followed immediately by a layer of specially selected stone chips. The timing here is critical – the asphalt needs to be at the right temperature to properly bond with the aggregate. A heavy roller then embeds the chips into the asphalt, creating a unified surface.
The final step involves removing any loose stones and allowing the surface to cure. Most driveways are ready for light traffic within 24 hours, though you’ll want to avoid heavy loads for the first few days. The result is a textured, durable surface that combines the strength of asphalt with the natural appearance of stone.
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Murfreesboro’s climate puts driveways through a lot. Hot summers, occasional ice, and Tennessee’s clay soil create challenges that cheap paving solutions can’t handle. Tar and chip paving thrives in these conditions.
The stone aggregate provides excellent traction, even when wet. This matters during those sudden spring storms or winter weather events that catch everyone off guard. Unlike smooth asphalt that can become slippery, the textured surface of tar and chip gives vehicles and pedestrians better grip.
Maintenance is straightforward too. While traditional asphalt requires seal coating every few years, tar and chip surfaces need minimal upkeep. The stone chips protect the underlying asphalt from UV damage and weather, extending the life of your investment. When maintenance is eventually needed, it’s typically less expensive than resurfacing traditional asphalt.
Properly installed tar and chip paving typically lasts 15-20 years with minimal maintenance, often outlasting traditional asphalt in similar conditions. The stone chips create a protective layer that shields the underlying asphalt from UV rays and weather damage.
The key difference is in the maintenance schedule. While regular asphalt needs seal coating every 2-3 years to maintain its protective properties, tar and chip surfaces can go much longer between treatments. This extended maintenance cycle often makes tar and chip the more economical choice over the long term, even before considering the lower initial installation cost.
Tar and chip, chip seal, and bituminous surface treatment are different names for essentially the same paving method. The process involves applying hot liquid asphalt followed by stone aggregate, which is then compacted to create a unified surface.
Regional preferences tend to influence which term people use, but the installation process and end results are virtually identical. Some contractors may use slightly different aggregate sizes or asphalt formulations, but these variations are minor compared to the fundamental similarity of the process. What matters most is finding an experienced contractor who understands proper installation techniques, regardless of what they call the service.
Yes, tar and chip paving works well on steep driveways, often better than smooth asphalt. The textured stone surface provides superior traction on inclines, which is particularly valuable during wet weather or the occasional ice event in Middle Tennessee.
Proper installation on steep grades requires attention to drainage and may need additional preparation work to prevent erosion. The aggregate selection might also be adjusted to optimize traction and durability on the slope. We evaluate your specific grade and soil conditions to ensure the installation will perform well long-term, regardless of the driveway’s steepness.
Tar and chip paving typically costs 40-60% less than traditional asphalt installation, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious property owners. The exact savings depend on factors like driveway size, site preparation requirements, and current material costs.
The lower cost doesn’t mean lower quality – it reflects the simpler installation process and different material requirements. Traditional asphalt requires multiple layers and more extensive equipment, while tar and chip can often be completed in a single application. When you factor in the extended maintenance intervals and longer lifespan, the total cost of ownership often favors tar and chip even more significantly.
In many cases, yes, but proper evaluation and preparation are essential for success. Existing gravel can sometimes serve as a base layer if it’s properly graded and compacted. Dirt driveways typically need more extensive preparation to create a stable foundation.
The key factors are drainage, compaction, and grade. Poor drainage will undermine any paving system, while inadequate compaction leads to settling and eventual surface failure. We provide a professional assessment to determine what preparation work is needed to ensure your new tar and chip surface performs as expected. Sometimes this means adding base material or adjusting grades, but it’s often still more economical than starting from scratch with traditional asphalt.
Tar and chip paving requires minimal maintenance compared to traditional asphalt, but some care will extend its lifespan. The main maintenance involves occasional reapplication of loose stone chips in high-traffic areas and ensuring proper drainage around the edges.
Tennessee’s freeze-thaw cycles can cause minor surface changes over time, but the flexible nature of tar and chip handles these temperature variations well. Unlike traditional asphalt that may need seal coating every few years, tar and chip surfaces typically don’t require this treatment. When maintenance is eventually needed after 10-15 years, it often involves a fresh application of asphalt and chips rather than complete replacement, making it more economical than traditional paving maintenance.
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