Resin driveways

A resin driveway gives you a smooth, seamless, weed-free surface that drains freely and lifts the look of the whole front of the house. It has become the popular replacement for tarmac, block paving and loose gravel because it does what each of those does, without the cracking, the weeds or the stones scattered across the path. Done properly, over a sound base, it is a surface that stays looking new for years with almost no upkeep.

Surface Specialists arranges resin driveways, patios and paths for homeowners. We help you choose the right system, aggregate and colour and arrange installation by experienced specialist contractors, so the base is right and the surface is laid to last rather than lifting in a season. You deal with one point of contact from first enquiry through to a finished driveway. This page explains what a resin driveway is, the choice between resin bound and resin bonded, the colours available and what affects the cost.

What is a resin driveway?

A resin driveway is a surface made by mixing natural stone aggregate with a clear resin and trowelling it out over a prepared base, where it cures into a smooth, seamless, hard-wearing finish. The most common type is resin bound, where the stone and resin are fully mixed so the surface is flat, sealed and permeable, letting rainwater drain straight through rather than running off.

That permeability is a big part of the appeal. A resin-bound driveway drains through the surface, which helps manage surface water and suits the planning rules on paving front gardens, so in most cases it can be laid without needing planning permission for drainage. It is also weed-free, does not scatter like loose gravel and comes in a wide choice of aggregate colours, which is why it has become the modern alternative to tarmac, block paving and shingle.

Resin bound or resin bonded?

There are two ways resin and stone are combined and the difference matters more than the similar names suggest.

Resin bound

The aggregate and resin are mixed together and trowelled out to a smooth, flat finish. Every stone is coated and locked in place, so the surface is fully bound, seamless and permeable. This is what most people mean by a resin driveway and it is the right choice for a driveway in almost every case, because it drains, stays put and gives that clean, modern look.

Resin bonded

Loose stone is scattered over a layer of resin and sticks to the surface, giving a rougher, textured finish like fine gravel that does not move. A resin-bonded surface is not permeable, so drainage has to be handled separately, and it sheds the occasional loose stone. It has its uses where a grippy, textured finish is wanted, but for a driveway resin bound is usually the better answer.

Both are sometimes called resin bound gravel or resin bonded gravel, which adds to the confusion. The simplest way to think of it is that bound means mixed and smooth, while bonded means scattered and textured. We explain which suits your project at the survey.

Why choose a resin driveway?

Resin-bound surfacing has become the first choice for new driveways for good practical reasons:

Permeable drainage. Water drains straight through a resin-bound surface, which helps with surface water and means a driveway can usually be laid without planning permission for paving the front garden.
Weed-free and low-maintenance. There are no joints or loose stones for weeds to grow through, so upkeep is little more than an occasional sweep and wash.
Smooth and seamless. A trowelled finish gives a flat, even surface with no ruts, no scattered stone and nothing to catch a pushchair or a heel.
Hard-wearing. A properly laid resin-bound driveway handles daily car use and the weather for many years without breaking up the way tarmac or loose gravel does.
Choice of colour. A wide range of natural aggregate colours and blends lets the driveway suit the house rather than the other way round.
Kerb appeal. A clean, seamless finish lifts the look of the whole frontage and adds to the impression of the property.

Resin driveway colours and finishes

One of the advantages of a resin-bound surface is the choice of finish. The colour comes from the natural stone aggregate, so the options range from warm golds and browns through to cool greys, near-blacks and bright blends, in everything from a fine, uniform look to a chunkier, more natural stone finish. Popular choices include natural gravel tones, grey and dark grey blends and crisp black, often with a contrasting border to frame the drive.

Because the surface is mixed and laid on site, finishes can be combined to mark out a path, a border or a parking bay, and the same aggregate can carry across the driveway, patio and paths for a consistent look. We show you samples and help you choose a colour that works with the house and stays looking right in all weathers.

Resin driveways, patios and paths

The same resin-bound surface that works for a driveway is just as suited to patios, paths, garden steps and pool surrounds. Laying the same finish across the whole property gives a clean, joined-up look, with one permeable, weed-free surface running from the drive to the back garden rather than a patchwork of different materials.

Paths and patios place lighter demands on the surface than a driveway that carries a car, but the principle is the same: the right system over a properly prepared base. We arrange resin paths, patios and surfacing alongside driveways, so the whole scheme is finished to one standard.

What affects the cost of a resin driveway?

Every driveway is different, so rather than a headline price per square metre the cost is best understood through what drives it. The main factors are:

Size and shape. The area to be surfaced is the biggest single factor, and an awkward shape with lots of edges and detail takes more work than a simple rectangle.
The existing surface. A sound base that the resin can go over costs less than one that has to be dug out and rebuilt. Removing old block paving or a failed slab adds to the groundwork.
The base and drainage. A resin-bound surface needs a sound, permeable base, so any sub-base work, edgings or drainage needed underneath affects the cost.
Aggregate and finish. Different aggregates and colour blends sit at different price points and any borders or detailing add to it.
Access. Easy access for materials and machinery keeps costs down, while a tight or awkward site takes longer.

Because of all this, the honest answer to what a resin driveway costs is that it depends on the driveway. We survey the site, confirm what the base needs and set out a clear written quotation with everything included, so there are no surprises later.

Resin driveway or block paving?

Resin and block paving are the two most common choices for a new driveway and they suit different priorities. Block paving is a traditional look made of individual blocks, but the joints between them are where weeds grow, blocks can sink or lift over time and the surface needs occasional re-sanding and weeding to stay tidy. Resin bound is seamless, so there are no joints for weeds, nothing to sink unevenly and very little upkeep.

Against tarmac, resin bound gives a far wider choice of colour and a cleaner finish that does not soften in heat or crack as readily, and against loose gravel it gives the same natural-stone look without the stones ending up on the path, in the lawn or down the drain. Each has its place, but for a low-maintenance, permeable, modern finish a resin-bound driveway is hard to beat, and we are happy to talk the options through at survey.

What to know before you start

The base is everything. A resin-bound surface is only as good as the base beneath it. It needs a sound, stable, permeable base, whether that is an existing surface in good condition or a new sub-base laid for the job. Cutting corners on the base is the usual reason a resin driveway fails, so this is where the work starts.

Resin bound, not loose. A proper resin-bound driveway is fully mixed and trowelled smooth, not loose stone scattered over resin. The seamless finish and the longevity both come from doing it correctly with the right materials.

Drainage. A permeable resin-bound surface handles rainwater through the surface, but where it meets the house or a boundary the detailing has to take water away correctly. This is confirmed at survey and built into the specification.

Weather and curing. Resin is laid in suitable, dry conditions and left to cure before the driveway is used, so the work is planned around the weather. The timescale is set out clearly in the quotation.

How long does a resin driveway last and how is it maintained?

A correctly installed resin-bound driveway, laid over a sound base, lasts many years and asks for very little in return. Maintenance is no more than an occasional sweep to clear leaves and debris and a wash down with a hose or a pressure washer on a low setting to keep it looking fresh. There is no weeding, no re-sanding of joints and no loose stone to top up, which is a large part of why homeowners choose it.

Over many years a surface may benefit from a clean and, in some cases, a reseal to refresh the finish, and if an area is ever damaged it can usually be repaired locally rather than the whole driveway being relaid. Looked after this way, a resin driveway holds its appearance and performance for the long term, and a quick look will tell you whether anything is due.

Why choose Surface Specialists?

A resin driveway is a specialist job, and the result comes down to the right system laid over a properly prepared base by people who do this work every day. That is what we arrange, with one point of contact looking after your project from start to finish.

A specialist focus. We concentrate on resin and surface treatment, so your driveway is matched to the right system and finish rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.
Experienced contractors. Installation is carried out by established specialist contractors with a track record in resin-bound driveways and surfacing.
Done properly. The base is prepared correctly so the surface lasts, rather than rushed to look good for a season.
One point of contact. From survey and quotation through to a finished driveway, you deal with us.

Resin driveways are part of our domestic resin flooring range, alongside epoxy garage floors. Learn more about Surface Specialists or explore the full range of resin flooring we cover.

Areas we cover

We arrange resin driveways, patios and paths through experienced specialist contractors and are steadily extending the areas we cover. See our areas we cover hub for local detail, including resin flooring in Manchester, with more local pages being added.

Get a quote

Tell us about your driveway and the finish you have in mind and we will arrange a free site survey, then provide a written quotation, typically within 48 hours. There is no obligation. Contact us to get started.

GET A FREE SITE SURVEY & QUOTATION

Frequently asked questions

Is a resin driveway permeable, and do I need planning permission?

A resin-bound driveway is permeable, so rainwater drains through the surface rather than running off. Because of that, paving a front garden with a permeable surface like resin bound does not normally need planning permission for drainage, though it is always worth checking your own circumstances. A resin-bonded surface, by contrast, is not permeable and drainage has to be handled separately.

What is the difference between resin bound and resin bonded?

Resin bound means the stone and resin are mixed together and trowelled out to a smooth, sealed, permeable finish, which is what most driveways use. Resin bonded means loose stone is scattered over resin for a rougher, textured surface that is not permeable. Bound is mixed and smooth; bonded is scattered and textured.

How much does a resin driveway cost?

It depends on the size and shape of the driveway, the condition of the existing surface, the base and drainage needed, the aggregate chosen and access to the site. Rather than a one-size price, we survey the driveway and provide a clear written quotation with everything included, so you know exactly what you are paying for.

How long does a resin driveway last?

A correctly installed resin-bound driveway laid over a sound base lasts many years with very little maintenance. Poor preparation or a loose, badly mixed surface is the usual reason a resin driveway fails early, which is why the base and the installation matter so much.

Can a resin driveway be laid over existing concrete or tarmac?

In many cases, yes. Where the existing concrete or tarmac is sound and drains adequately, a resin-bound surface can be laid over it, which keeps cost and disruption down. Where the base is failed, uneven or does not drain, it is prepared or rebuilt first. The base is assessed at survey.

Do you lay resin patios and paths as well as driveways?

Yes. The same resin-bound surface works for patios, paths, steps and pool surrounds, so the whole property can have a consistent finish. We arrange these alongside driveways to the same standard.

Which areas do you cover?

We work through a network of experienced specialist contractors and are extending the areas we cover. Contact us to confirm cover for your home.