Tar and chip (often called surface dressing) is a great option for longer driveways, farm tracks and rural access roads. Hot bitumen is sprayed onto the prepared surface and then covered with clean stone chippings, giving a country lane appearance while providing a strong running surface underneath.
Regularly working on rural properties around East Grinstead, Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Edenbridge and across Sussex, Surrey & Kent.
Tar & chip is a surfacing method where a layer of hot bitumen is sprayed onto the prepared base, then stone chippings are spread on top and rolled in. Once the loose excess is removed, you are left with a textured, stone-covered finish.
The base is first made sound, often using tarmac or another suitable surface. Hot bitumen binder is then sprayed over the area, followed by a layer of clean stone chippings which are rolled in to bond with the binder.
This gives a textured finish similar to a country lane, which can sit more naturally in rural settings than a plain black tarmac surface.
As with tarmac and resin, tar & chip is only as good as the base underneath. Any major defects are dealt with, levels are checked and drainage is considered before surface dressing is carried out.
For heavily worn or unsuitable surfaces, we may recommend new tarmac or other groundwork before tar & chip is applied.
Tar & chip surfacing is particularly suited to longer driveways, farm roads and shared access routes where a balance of durability, appearance and cost is needed.
On long, sweeping driveways and shared private roads, tar & chip can be more cost-effective than alternative finishes while still giving a tidy, textured appearance.
Farms, smallholdings and equestrian properties often use tar & chip on access tracks and yard areas, benefiting from a hard surface that still looks in keeping with the surroundings.
Private estate roads and lanes can be surface dressed to tidy up worn surfaces, improve grip and seal the surface against further deterioration.
A few common questions from rural homeowners and landowners considering tar & chip surfacing.
On longer driveways and access roads, tar & chip is often more cost-effective than full-depth block paving or resin bound surfacing. On very small areas, other options can sometimes make more sense. We will talk through this during your quotation.
Some loose chippings are normal immediately after installation. These are swept away as part of the process and will reduce as the surface beds in. We will explain any care needed in the early days after the work.
Often yes, provided the existing drive is generally sound and suitable. Where the surface is badly broken, extremely uneven or suffering from deeper issues, remedial work or a new base may be required first.
With a suitable base and normal use, a tar & chip surface can give many years of service. As with public roads, additional surface dressing can be applied in the future if required.
Tar & chip can provide good grip on slopes, but every site is different. We will look at gradient, drainage and traffic before confirming if it is a sensible option for your driveway.
We carry out tar & chip work across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, including rural areas around East Grinstead, Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Edenbridge and surrounding villages.
Based near East Grinstead, we provide tar & chip surfacing for rural homes, farms and estates across a wide area.
If your property is a little further out, please still get in touch – for the right tar & chip project we are happy to travel.
Tell us a little about your drive, track or access road, and we’ll arrange a visit to assess the existing surface and levels, then provide a clear, written quotation for tar & chip or other suitable options.
Call free on
0800 861 1678