Which to choose an Oil&Stone vs Asphalt driveway

Asphalt vs Oil and Stone Driveway

Choosing a type of driveway can be difficult and may take time. You spend time asking yourself which colors may compliment my house? or, Will my kids be safe playing out there? or even, Will I need to get this driveway was redone in the near future and what are the costs?

Your driveway is one of the first features seen by guests when entering your house and yet it is the most commonly overlooked areas of your home. If you’re looking for a change in the appearance of your driveway, trying to cut down on maintenance or just looking for a simple guide to getting started you’ve come to the right spot.

 Two of the most common driveway surfaces used is Oil&Stone or Asphalt and they both offer effective benefits that will leave you feeling as if you made the right choice. While the two are both great they are also both very different, let’s talk about why. 

Oil&Stone

Oil&Stone driveways often referred to as Tar&Chip driveways is a surface made up of a mix between gravel and hot oil, usually laid down by an oil truck and is often put down in two layers to make sure it stays together well. Once the oil is cool it will harden and take shape in providing a stable surface. When the process is done it should look like a natural gravel surface.

 Pros:

  • Oil&Stone driveways are well-crafted for a more distinct, naturally elegant, and rural look.
  • Oil&Stone driveways are effective for a driveway primarily used for parking.
  • Oil&Stone driveways provide a strong durable surface.
  • Oil&Stone driveways compliment larger scale houses.

Cons:

  • Oil&Stone driveways would not be the best idea for basketball, skateboarding, biking, or rollerblading.
  • Oil&Stone driveways should not be used for steep surfaces due to rain and snow.
  • Oil&Stone driveways can cause loose stones
  • Oil&Stone driveways usually require a bit more maintenance

Asphalt

Asphalt driveways, also known as Blacktop is a mix of stone, sand, and cement and is one of the most popular surface options. It is commonly used in driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, racetracks, and airport runways. Asphalt is petroleum based much like tar and oil and is delivered to your driveway via truck and is laid down. Once put down and shaped the asphalt will cool and harden. 

Pros:

  • Asphalt driveways are practical for families with younger kids because it is safe for them to bike on, play basketball, go skateboarding or rollerblading on top of it.
  • Asphalt driveways are a super durable surface.
  • Asphalt driveways are a long-lasting surface which is perfect because it requires less maintenance over the years.

Cons:

  • With an Asphalt driveway, it has style limitations mainly because it only comes in black.
  • With an Asphalt driveway cracks can be created due to water damage on the surface
  • When Asphalt driveways heat up they become more pliable which can cause dents and marks to form.

What is the difference between Oil&Stone and Asphalt?

One of the main differences between Oil&Stone and Asphalt is how they’re installed and how the finished surface will look. An Oil&Stone driveway will result in loose gravel, the surface will end up being pretty rough and may require more maintenance as more loose stones appear. An Asphalt driveway will end up resulting in a hard blacktop surface, the surface will be very durable, long-lasting and will require far less maintenance.

Which Surface should I choose?

Well to answer that simply- The choice is yours. When choosing Oil&Stone driveways think of how it will look with your house, do you have a steep hill? does your neighborhood have a spot for biking? basketball and skateboarding? And when looking at Asphalt you may want to consider adding a drainage system as well to prevent the cracks that water damages cause and the effect heat will have on your driveway during the summer. And overall ask yourself, What will accommodate you at the end of the day?