You’ve probably driven over roads that were installed using the chip seal paving method, even if you didn’t realize that’s what it was. In this paving approach, a thin layer of asphalt is laid down over a surface, and then another layer of crushed stone is pressed into the asphalt. This pavement is then allowed to set for a couple days, after which any loose gravel will be removed, and you’ll have a chip seal paved roadway. Many of the back roads and farm roads in the rural areas around Austin, TX have been paved using this process.
It may look rustic, but it is a very solid and durable method for paving roads. There are a number of different looks you can give your chip seal road, because there are different types of stone which can be used for that upper layer. You’ll have a choice between river rock, granite, slate, brick, and many more besides this. Since your chip seal road will be installed in the Austin area where it gets pretty hot most of the year, you may want your farm road or access road to have a cooler surface. Chip seal surfaces are ideal for this, because they are not all-black, and will not absorb as much sun and heat.
