Resin driveways in the Stort Valley and East Herts

What is a resin driveway?

A resin drive is a layer of natural stone or recycled aggregate held together by a clear resin. Laid by hand with trowels, it gives a smooth, even finish without joints, and the colour comes from the stone itself. Many people choose it for its clean look and because loose stones do not scatter onto the pavement or get carried into the house.

What is the difference between resin-bound and resin-bonded?

The two names sound alike, but the surfaces behave very differently.

• Resin-bound: the stone and resin are mixed together before laying, so every stone is coated and held within the layer. The finish is smooth to walk on, and small gaps between the stones let water pass through. Laid on a suitable base, it is permeable.
• Resin-bonded: a coat of resin is spread over a solid base and loose stone is scattered onto it while it is wet. The stone sticks to the top and the excess is swept off. The finish is textured, like a fixed gravel, and water cannot pass through it.

When you compare quotes, check which of the two is being offered, because the difference affects drainage, planning and how the drive will feel underfoot.

Is a resin drive permeable for planning purposes?

Only if water can get away through every layer. A resin-bound surface laid over an open stone base, or over permeable porous asphalt, will usually let rain soak into the ground. The same resin laid over solid concrete or old dense tarmac cannot drain downwards, so the water runs across the top instead.

For a house's front garden, a new hard surface over 5 square metres is permitted development where it is permeable or drains to a permeable area within the garden. The government's permeable surfacing guidance sets out the options. If the water from a sealed resin drive would end up on the road, planning permission is needed. Flats, maisonettes and listed buildings are treated differently, so check with the council if you live in one.

Can resin go over my existing drive?

Sometimes. A sound concrete or tarmac drive with no serious cracks, sinking or loose areas can occasionally be used as the base, which reduces digging. Cracks in the old surface tend to reappear through a thin resin layer, though, and a solid base brings the drainage question above. Where the old drive is failing, it is usually dug out and replaced with a new base suited to resin.

Any work that lifts the ground or cuts into it needs the usual care with buried pipes and cables, and the new surface should stay comfortably below the damp-proof course of the house.

What affects how a resin drive turns out?

• Weather. Resin needs dry conditions and suitable temperatures while it is mixed, laid and left to cure, so jobs are often planned around the forecast.
• The resin. Some resins discolour in sunlight, while others are made to resist it, so ask which type is being used.
• The stone. The size and blend of aggregate change the texture, the colour and how the surface copes with car tyres.
• The edges. Neat borders of block, brick or metal edging hold the layer in place and give a clean line.

Does resin suit slopes and tight turns?

Resin can be laid on gentle slopes, and a finer aggregate or a grit dressing can add grip. Very steep drives, and spots where cars turn sharply on the spot, are worth discussing with the installer, because heavy twisting can scuff the surface over time.

How do I look after it?

• Sweep it now and then to clear leaves and grit.
• Wash it down occasionally with a hose or gentle pressure washer.
• Clean up oil and fuel spills promptly.
• Keep moss and weeds from settling in the edges.

What should a resin enquiry include?

• your postcode and the approximate size of the drive
• the surface it has now and its condition
• whether you prefer resin-bound or are not sure
• whether you also need a dropped kerb or new edging

What happens after I send it?

There is no charge for enquiring and nothing is agreed until you choose. You settle the details and cost directly with the installer.