ANSWERED: Your 5 FAQ About Chipseal Driveways

When people think of paving, two methods generally come to mind: asphalt and concrete. But did you know there's another option with its own unique benefits—and a lower price tag?

That method goes by several names, the most common being chipseal or chip seal. (In this article, we'll use both terms interchangeably.)

Chipseal can be used for various purposes, including paving entire roads. This article will focus on chip seal driveways. We'll look at specific factors that are unique to chip seal, and we'll also compare it with more common driving paving methods.

Read on for the answers to five common questions about this interesting driveway paving option.

1. How Long Does Chipseal Last?

In general, chipseal will last about 5-8 years. After that, it will need to be resurfaced. This timeline makes it less durable than asphalt or concrete, which can last up to 20-30 years.

On the other hand, it costs less to resurface than an asphalt or concrete driveway. See the third FAQ below for more details about chipseal pricing.

 

2. Does Chipseal Provide Good Traction?

Chipseal provides excellent traction. That's because its top layer is composed of compacted, chipped stones. This composition maximizes surface area, which increases traction. Even with this increased traction, chipseal also provides a smooth driving surface.

3. What Does a Chip Seal Driveway Cost?

In general, a chipseal driveway costs less than asphalt or concrete. The specific price for your job will depend on several variables, including:

• The current cost of oil
• The availability of construction crews with chipsealing expertise
• Demand
• Design decisions

With that said, a chipseal driveway will typically cost you $1-8 per square foot. Chip seal driveways also cost less to resurface. That's because only the top layer is replaced.

Keep in mind that all types of paving cost more per square foot when paving a small area like a driveway. That's because overhead costs like setup and travel are the same for large jobs as they are for small jobs. This provides some economies of scale, which reduces the per-foot cost.

4. What Do Chip Seal Driveways Look Like?

Chip sealed driveways can have many different looks. That's one of chipseal's selling points. It's highly customizable because you can choose different stone types for the top layer mixture. That means you also have the choice of different stone colors to suit your environment and design esthetics.

5. Are Chip Seal Driveways as Good as Other Driveways?

This depends on your preferences as well as your intended uses. Because of the qualities mentioned above, a chip seal driveway could be much better than other driveways.

There is another factor to consider when making this decision, and that is durability. Chipseal is more flexible than concrete and asphalt. While that flexibility has benefits, it also means that chipseal is prone to damage from heavy machinery such as snowplows. Be cautious if you intend to put your driveway under heavy loads.

Chipseal Might Be Right for You

Chipseal might be right for you if your priorities include low expense, visual appeal, and traction. On the other hand, chipseal doesn't have the extreme durability of asphalt or concrete.

If you'd like to know more about chipseal driveways, feel free to get in touch or review our Services menu in the main navigation. And remember to check out our blog for more helpful articles.