Homeowners who want something a bit different from the typical concrete or asphalt residential driveway may opt for a material known as oil and stone chip. This type of Residential Driveway Paving in Madison CT provides the look of loose gravel for a more textured appearance.
Features
Also called tar and chip, this kind of driveway has a layer of liquid asphalt covered by a layer of stone that is rolled into the underlying surface. Underneath the entire driveway is a base layer of gravel that was placed first.
Some of the stones will gradually come loose, so the owner may need to rake a few out of the grass now and then. Nevertheless, the driveway should not need resurfacing for at least 10 years.
Advantages
Many people like the old-fashioned, rustic appearance of a stone driveway, and this offers the option without a lot of loose gravel. Property owners also can choose colors for the stone if they like. Pea gravel comes in a variety of hues, for instance. The homeowners might want one particular color or a blend of several. There’s also the option to go entirely natural with the stone instead of picking and choosing among specific colors.
Interestingly, when cracks develop in this type of asphalt, the stones tend to shift and fill the cracks. The pavement does not have to be sealed regularly the way hard asphalt does.
Considerations
This type of Residential Driveway Paving in Madison CT is better on relatively flat surfaces or those with minor slopes, as rainwater or melted snow running downhill on a steep driveway can carry the loose stones away.
In some respects, the pavement is not as functional as hard asphalt. It can’t be used for roller skating, for example, and it isn’t very suitable for casual games of basketball with a hoop on the garage or alongside the driveway.
Concluding Thoughts
Many paving contractors do not offer this kind of work, but companies like Sullivan Paving are glad to install oil and stone driveways in residential settings. Their customers who choose this option appreciate the aesthetic appeal they find enhances their properties.
