Types of Driveway Blacktop

Tar and Chip Blacktop

• Tar and chip blacktop is made with only oil and stone. This type gives the look of a black gravel driveway, but unlike a gravel driveway the surface is much stronger. The contractor puts gravel down in the driveway and uses black oil to seal the gravel together, making a more durable surface. Generally, they contractor applies two layers, allowing the first to dry and harden before adding the second.

Stone Matrix Blacktop

• Stone matrix blacktop is a driveway asphalt that uses a mixture of large stone, sand and aggregate filler along with the asphalt cement. This type of mixed blacktop driveway is common for smoother driveway surfaces and holds together longer without cracking. The surface is compacted and allowed to dry, then hardens to make a rough surface driveway. After cooling and hardening, the contractor uses a blacktop sealant to cover the surface.

Open Graded Blacktop

• Open graded blacktop is a mixture of large stone, sand and asphalt cement, but does not have any aggregate filler. The lack of aggregate filler allows air pockets to form in the driveway blacktop. Contractors use this type of blacktop in areas where a lot of drainage is necessary. The air pockets provide more driveway drainage during long periods of rainfall and prevents the rainwater from standing on the driveway surface.

Dense Graded Blacktop

• Dense graded blacktop is the most common asphalt driveway material. It serves as a general purpose blacktop for any weather conditions. The stone and sand in dense graded blacktop are very fine grade. This mixture allows the driveway to become almost airtight and creates a very smooth surface. Once the blacktop has cooled, dried and hardened, it is almost impermeable. The downside to this type of blacktop is that it has a tendency to crack quicker than the other types of blacktop.