Tar & chip—also called chip seal—blends heated liquid asphalt with clean stone chips to create a durable, skid-resistant surface with a natural look. It’s ideal for long driveways, private lanes, farm roads, parking areas, and HOA/community roads where you want strength, traction, and curb appeal without the cost of a full hot-mix asphalt surface.

Call or Text us Today (615) 579-1766

Where Tar & Chip Works Best

• Long Residential Driveways & Private Lanes

• Rural Roads & Farm/Equestrian Access

• HOA & Community Roads (low–moderate speed)

• Parking Pads, Turnarounds & Outbuilding Areas

• Driveway Extensions / Widenings

• Overlays on Sound Asphalt or New Aggregate Base

We’ll evaluate your base, grades, and traffic to confirm tar & chip is the right fit—or recommend asphalt where it’s not.

Tar & Chip vs. Asphalt (Quick Guide)

• Look & Feel: Tar & chip has a stone-textured, natural appearance; asphalt is smooth black.

• Cost: Tar & chip typically costs less than hot-mix asphalt.

• Traction: Excellent—especially on grades and in wet conditions.

• Heat & Glare: Lighter stone tones run cooler and reduce glare.

• Maintenance: Occasional sweeping early on; crack sealing less common.

• Precision Edges/Markings: Asphalt is better if you need striped lots or very crisp edges.

How Our Tar & Chip Process Works

1. Site Visit & Base Check – Confirm drainage, grades, and base strength.

2. Prep – Shape and compact the aggregate base (or clean sound asphalt).

3. Heated Binder Application – Even spray of hot liquid asphalt.

4. Stone Chip Broadcast – Uniform spread of selected stone size/color.

5. Rolling & Embedment – Pneumatic/steel roller locks chips into binder.

6. Final Sweep – Remove excess loose chips; schedule follow-up sweep if needed.

7. Edges & Tie-Ins – Clean tie-ins at garage/road and neat shoulders or topsoil.

Options: single or double chip courses, select chip sizes (e.g., 3/8″, 1/2″), and stone color for aesthetic match.

Base, Thickness & Lifespan (Guidelines)

• Base: Compact 4″–8″ aggregate (more for wetter soils/heavier loads).

• Courses: Single-chip for standard driveways; double-chip for heavier use or extra texture.

• Lifespan: With a solid base and normal use, 8–12+ years; double-chip and good drainage extend life.

Care & Maintenance

• Initial Shedding: Some loose chips the first few weeks—normal. We sweep.

• Traffic: Gentle turns and moderate speeds for the first 3–7 days (weather dependent).

• Snow Removal: Use rubber-tipped plows or set blades slightly up to avoid scuffing.

• Refresh Options: Re-chip high-wear areas in future seasons if needed.

When We Recommend Asphalt Instead

Choose hot-mix asphalt if you require:

• Striped parking lots, precise markings/signage, or ADA striping

• Very tight turning in small courtyards or loading areas

• Ultra-smooth finish for ball sports or wheel-based recreation

Why Homeowners & HOAs Choose D. Lee’s for Tar & Chip

• Statewide crews with the right chip-seal equipment

• Base-and-drainage first approach for longevity

• Choice of chip size and color for a tailored look

• Clear, written proposals with options: single vs. double chip

Service Area

We pave across all of Tennessee. We dispatch the nearest crew to your address to keep schedules tight and travel time low.

Thinking tar & chip? Call or Text (615) 579-1766 We’ll assess your base and drainage, confirm if chip seal is the right fit, and give you a clean, line-item estimate—tar & chip vs. asphalt—so you can decide with confidence.

Tar & Chip FAQs

Q1: Can tar & chip go over my existing driveway?
Yes—if the existing asphalt is structurally sound. Otherwise, we rebuild the base first. We’ll inspect and advise.

Q2: Will I lose a lot of stone chips?
A small amount sheds initially—that’s normal. We roll for embedment and sweep after installation (and can schedule a follow-up sweep).

Q3: How do you handle steep grades?
Tar & chip provides excellent traction. We may recommend a double-chip on steeper sections.

Q4: Can I pick the stone color?
Yes. We offer chip size/color options to match your property and reduce heat/glare.

Q5: How long before I can drive on it?
Often the same day for light traffic, with normal use in a few days depending on temperature and sun.

Q6: Is tar & chip lower maintenance than asphalt?
It has fewer crack-sealing needs, and resurfacing can be done by re-chipping high-wear zones over time.

Q7: Will it raise my driveway too high at the garage?
We manage tie-ins and elevations carefully and can adjust base or use milling at transitions if needed.

Q8: What weather is best for installation?
Warm, dry conditions help binder set and chips embed. We schedule accordingly for best results.

Q9: Can you widen or extend my existing driveway with tar & chip?
Yes. We can widen, extend, and add parking pads/turnarounds, keeping a consistent chip finish.

Q10: Do you warranty your work?
Yes—warranty terms are defined in your proposal and depend on scope, base condition, and site use.