Resin Bound Driveways

[smithyithy]

Anyone have one or any experience with this?



A relative mentioned it to me as a option for replacing their tired tarmac U-shaped driveway. I quite like it, has the appearance of gravel without the noise and uneven-ness.

[Crumpet]

I have one, although it was only finished at the weekend and I haven't seen it in person yet. Looks fantastic in the photos I've seen and my wife's very happy with it so far.

What information are you looking for in particular? There are some quite dubious colour choices available so I'm hoping I've picked the right one!

[mybrainhurts]

Is it easily repaired if you have to access drains, etc?

[smithyithy]

Crumpet said:

I have one, although it was only finished at the weekend and I haven't seen it in person yet. Looks fantastic in the photos I've seen and my wife's very happy with it so far.

What information are you looking for in particular? There are some quite dubious colour choices available so I'm hoping I've picked the right one!

Well they haven't looked into it in much detail yet, they've just commented that their current drive wants replacing and I spotted a resig one while walking the dog so mentioned it to them to which they seemed interested.

I think one of the questions would be water - their current tarmac puddles quite a lot now probably due to age, so I imagine a new base material will be required, but how does the resin handle heavy water flow? As they're not porous at all are they?

Also on that point, are they slippy? I've read that sand can be added to the mixture to increase grip, is this something you did or considered?

Costs we can find online really, but I understand they're quite low maintenance?

I'm not sure what colour they'd go for, they mentioned that they liked the white finish. It's a small tudor-style house so white might suit it, it's not a huge drive either, only really big enough for two cars.

[silverous]

smithyithy said:

Anyone have one or any experience with this?



A relative mentioned it to me as a option for replacing their tired tarmac U-shaped driveway. I quite like it, has the appearance of gravel without the noise and uneven-ness.

Someone in our street has it - I heard it was v expensive like high 4 figures, maybe low five figures, (maybe they were ripped off! Quite a good size drive.

[CAPP0]

Someone recently told me that there are options for resin bound, and resin bonded, the key difference being that one is the resin and stones in a mix laid down and rolled, the other is an adhesive coating laid down onto which the stones are poured. Anyone know if that is correct and if so what the pros, cons and cost delta might be?

[Rowley Birkin]

CAPP0 said:

Someone recently told me that there are options for resin bound, and resin bonded, the key difference being that one is the resin and stones in a mix laid down and rolled, the other is an adhesive coating laid down onto which the stones are poured. Anyone know if that is correct and if so what the pros, cons and cost delta might be?

Resin bound - Aggregate is mixed with resin adhesive and the mixture is then trowelled / floated onto the substrate. The finish is uniform, a bit shiny and permeable. As the surface drains at the substrate level it's possible for puddles to form in the gravel, which can then go green or freeze. Price varies, but it was upwards of £40/m when I last checked.

Resin bonded - Resin is spread on the substrate and gravel is then scattered onto it. The result is a drive that looks like gravel and is not shiny or slippery. It is impermeable, so water drains at the surface. Some aggregate breakage can occur in areas of heavy wear, e.g. turning areas. The surface is like very aggressive sandpaper, so children don't enjoy falling over on it. It's cheaper than resin bound at £20/m and upwards.

Whichever you go for, make sure you get a quality contractor. There are plenty of cowboys about. Also be careful with aggregate selection, some of them are prone to having iron deposits that then create rust spot on the drive.

[smithyithy]

Rowley Birkin said:

Resin bound - Aggregate is mixed with resin adhesive and the mixture is then trowelled / floated onto the substrate. The finish is uniform, a bit shiny and permeable. As the surface drains at the substrate level it's possible for puddles to form in the gravel, which can then go green or freeze. Price varies, but it was upwards of £40/m when I last checked.

Resin bonded - Resin is spread on the substrate and gravel is then scattered onto it. The result is a drive that looks like gravel and is not shiny or slippery. It is impermeable, so water drains at the surface. Some aggregate breakage can occur in areas of heavy wear, e.g. turning areas. The surface is like very aggressive sandpaper, so children don't enjoy falling over on it. It's cheaper than resin bound at £20/m and upwards.

Whichever you go for, make sure you get a quality contractor. There are plenty of cowboys about. Also be careful with aggregate selection, some of them are prone to having iron deposits that then create rust spot on the drive.

The latter is like 'surface dressing' on roads where bitumen, resin etc is sprayed down then the aggregate is laid on top and rolled / pressed in.

For the OP I was just referring to the former, where the resin and aggregate are mixed together before laying. Certainly will be more expensive but gives a much cleaner, tidier finish.

[Rowley Birkin]

smithyithy said:

Rowley Birkin said:

Resin bound - Aggregate is mixed with resin adhesive and the mixture is then trowelled / floated onto the substrate. The finish is uniform, a bit shiny and permeable. As the surface drains at the substrate level it's possible for puddles to form in the gravel, which can then go green or freeze. Price varies, but it was upwards of £40/m when I last checked.

Resin bonded - Resin is spread on the substrate and gravel is then scattered onto it. The result is a drive that looks like gravel and is not shiny or slippery. It is impermeable, so water drains at the surface. Some aggregate breakage can occur in areas of heavy wear, e.g. turning areas. The surface is like very aggressive sandpaper, so children don't enjoy falling over on it. It's cheaper than resin bound at £20/m and upwards.

Whichever you go for, make sure you get a quality contractor. There are plenty of cowboys about. Also be careful with aggregate selection, some of them are prone to having iron deposits that then create rust spot on the drive.

The latter is like 'surface dressing' on roads where bitumen, resin etc is sprayed down then the aggregate is laid on top and rolled / pressed in.

For the OP I was just referring to the former, where the resin and aggregate are mixed together before laying. Certainly will be more expensive but gives a much cleaner, tidier finish.

Yes, it's like surface dressing except using resin to give a stronger bond.

Bound gives a tidier finish in the sense that there is no loose aggregate, but it is a very different look, which can look out of place in some environments - for example outside a period property. There are also drainage considerations, for example where and how drainage is required and whether there is a risk of pooling.

[BoRED S2upid]

Very expensive have a chair ready when you get a quote.

[silverous]

Another consideration for us, aside from the expense, was that the gravel actually provides a form of security .... we can hear vehicles and people coming up the drive but this stuff would be virtually silent.... just a thought. It does look much tidier and if done well shouldn't need maintenance I guess.

[hornetrider]

My parents have it everywhere, and have done at their last few houses. Swear by it. Looks lovely. But it's fking expensive.

[CAPP0]

Thanks RB - very helpful explanation. At £40/£20, how does that compare to, say, brick paving? I thought that was up in the £70/£80 per metre range?

Our drive is quite large but is completely concreted, by the previous owner, so I'm thinking that a resin top dressing might be a good move? There is a 1.5" step up into the garage, so, no issues as long as it's less thick than that, which I guess it is?

[Rowley Birkin]

CAPP0 said:

Thanks RB - very helpful explanation. At £40/£20, how does that compare to, say, brick paving? I thought that was up in the £70/£80 per metre range?

Our drive is quite large but is completely concreted, by the previous owner, so I'm thinking that a resin top dressing might be a good move? There is a 1.5" step up into the garage, so, no issues as long as it's less thick than that, which I guess it is?

The prices I have mentioned are the lowest you will find from a proper contractor. You could pay double if you don't shop around adequately. It's worth speaking to firms that do large works for the Councils. Sometimes they take on small domestic works to stay busy. The price you have for brick paving looks high.

Either bound or bonded will be less than the 1.5" step.

[TA14]

CAPP0 said:

Thanks RB - very helpful explanation. At £40/£20, how does that compare to, say, brick paving? I thought that was up in the £70/£80 per metre range?

That's not comparing apples with apples. A block paving price might be £70m2 all in; that includes for excavation, a sub base and other bits needed. To do a tarmac drive might be £55/m2 then you have to add the £40 resin bonded/bound price to that to get to a grand total of £95/m2.

Resin stuff frequently gets damaged areas due to P.A.S when still, tree routes etc. and repairs stick out like a sore thumb. Unless it's a lightly trafficked area I'd think carefully.

[CAPP0]

TA14 said:

CAPP0 said:

Thanks RB - very helpful explanation. At £40/£20, how does that compare to, say, brick paving? I thought that was up in the £70/£80 per metre range?

That's not comparing apples with apples. A block paving price might be £70m2 all in; that includes for excavation, a sub base and other bits needed. To do a tarmac drive might be £55/m2 then you have to add the £40 resin bonded/bound price to that to get to a grand total of £95/m2.

Resin stuff frequently gets damaged areas due to P.A.S when still, tree routes etc. and repairs stick out like a sore thumb. Unless it's a lightly trafficked area I'd think carefully.

Hmm, interesting and useful, thanks.

[Rowley Birkin]

TA14 said:

CAPP0 said:

Thanks RB - very helpful explanation. At £40/£20, how does that compare to, say, brick paving? I thought that was up in the £70/£80 per metre range?

That's not comparing apples with apples. A block paving price might be £70m2 all in; that includes for excavation, a sub base and other bits needed. To do a tarmac drive might be £55/m2 then you have to add the £40 resin bonded/bound price to that to get to a grand total of £95/m2.

Resin stuff frequently gets damaged areas due to P.A.S when still, tree routes etc. and repairs stick out like a sore thumb. Unless it's a lightly trafficked area I'd think carefully.

The point about cost is a fair one. Resin solutions work best financially when there is a sound existing base to work from.

With regard to wear - yes, "dry steering" is best avoided. Though with regard to repairs, we've done some minor repairs to a bonded surface and you wouldn't know. We've also trafficked that surface quite heavily - it's a hammerhead - and on occasion with HGVs. There has been little stone breakage.

[TA14]

Rowley Birkin said:

The point about cost is a fair one. Resin solutions work best financially when there is a sound existing base to work from.

With regard to wear - yes, "dry steering" is best avoided. Though with regard to repairs, we've done some minor repairs to a bonded surface and you wouldn't know. We've also trafficked that surface quite heavily - it's a hammerhead - and on occasion with HGVs. There has been little stone breakage.

In reverse order: sounds like the repairs that I've seen may have been a bit rough then. I agree that resin bound is best financially when there is a sound base to work from especially if the existing drive is concrete: the block paving guys would have to price to break it out but resin can be laid on top.