Tar & chip and other gravel surfaces

Offering Leochip VLS cold applied emulsion finished in a range of colours

Gravel

Gravel is by far the cheapest surface to produce as a driveway finish. It can be laid directly on to a clean consolidated stone drive or over a worn out surface which has been prepared. It is aesthetically pleasing, and available in a range of colours and different size stone finishes but there are some important things to consider when opting for a gravel drive way:

Is the site suitable ? Too steep and it will wash away and gravel will travel to lower lower areas
The depth of the stone layer ... If laid too deep it will cause ruts to form and grip to be lost.
The density of the stone ...Only hard stone applications are suitable
Maintenance required ... Raking and weeding will be required to maintain the finish

VLS Tar & Chip

A VLS Tar and Chip surface is an excellent way to resurface an existing tarmac surface, and can be laid directly on to a new Tarmac surface or is a popular way of refreshing the finish on an older tarmac surface.

If you are hoping to use a VLS Tar and Chip surface on a existing older tarmac drive then the surface is thoroughly cleaned. Any damaged areas or pot-holes are reinstated using new tarmac. The surface is then spread with VLS emulsion and up to a 10mm sized hard stone chipping can be spread and rolled in to the VLS. This surface can then be left with a thin layer of stone chippings on it so it gives the effect of a loose gravel driveway or have the excess chippings swept off.

A VLS Tar and Chip surface is a good alternative to a loose gravel finish. It does not need raking and will not move in the way that a loose gravel drive will, so can be used in areas where a loose stone finish would move too much, on slight gradients.

Tar and chip surfaces are not suitable for steep driveway applications as they will wear too quickly.