The base determines whether a tar and chip driveway lasts ten years or thirty. Every job we build in Shankill starts with excavation to formation, a geotextile separation membrane, and at least 150mm of compacted Clause 804 hardcore. Where an existing tarmac or concrete base is sound and at the right level, we can apply the surface dressing directly — saving you the base cost without compromising the result.
Why Shankill homes choose us for tar and chip
Drainage matters in Shankill as it does everywhere in Ireland. Tar and chip is not fully permeable, so where a drive falls towards the house we install a channel drain or soakaway within the boundary to satisfy the planning exemption condition. We design the falls and drainage as part of the site assessment, not as an afterthought.
The aggregate we specify for Shankill jobs is chosen to suit the local landscape and the property type. For rural and semi-rural frontages, natural grey limestone or brown quartzite in 14mm gives a coarser, more traditional texture; for suburban driveways, 10mm charcoal or golden flint chip produces a tighter, more refined finish. Blended two-colour aggregates are increasingly popular because they give a more natural, varied appearance than a single stone.
Local knowledge: working in Shankill
Much of Shankill's housing dates from the 1970s–1990s, and original driveways of that era — thin concrete or first-generation block paving — are reaching end of life together. The most common jobs are full conversions to modern block paving with widened entrances, and resin bound overlays where the existing concrete slab is still structurally sound, which saves the cost of excavation entirely.
How the job runs
A standard tar and chip driveway in Shankill takes two to three working days: base preparation and any drainage work on day one, bitumen application and chip rolling on day two, then a final sweep and inspection before handover. The surface needs 24–48 hours to cure fully before normal traffic, and a small amount of loose chip in the first week is normal as the binder sets.
Every job in Shankill is measured on site before we quote. The written specification states the base build-up, the aggregate type and size, and whether the price is for a surface dressing or a full build — so you can compare our price against any other quote on equal terms.