There is more to resin driveways than meets the eye. The demand for this modern, slick driveway design has grown exponentially over the years, and more homeowners are taking up a resin bonded or resin bound driveway to give their homes a unique, customised look.
Here are some of the many other benefits of resin bound driveways:
- Easy to maintain
- Permeable surface
- Resin doesn’t crack
- Durable
- Provide natural drainage
- SuDS compliant
- No planning permission required
It’s abundantly clear that these driveways are in demand right now, and their quality is undeniable. They make a fantastic option for long-term satisfaction, and an application from a professional, qualified resin driveway installer can make a huge difference to your house aesthetic, as well as its overall value.
But what else can resin driveways offer that other surface options such as block paving driveways can’t?
Lifespan
After having examined the benefits of both block paving and resin driveways, two things are usually in the back of peoples’ minds. These are the resin driveway cost and lifespan.
Given that resin driveways are a big investment financially, it’s fair to say that they should be expected to last a long time. Resin based driveways aren’t exactly cheap, but there is a perfectly justifiable reason for that. Considering they are more customisable and offer more protection than other paving surfaces, and last a great deal longer on average, it’s no wonder why they are so popular these days. A good, high-quality resin driveway with the right materials and sub-base should last anywhere between 15 and 30 years.
Here, we’ll look at some specific aspects of the resin driveway application that give it such a long life, and some actions you can take which will enhance your driveway’s longevity.
Consider the Materials
Resin driveways are made up of two key components, the resin itself and the aggregates. Generally speaking, aggregates are stones or pebbles that come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, while resin is the liquid component. The polymer, if you will. Your chosen aggregates are mixed with resin to form a consistent pattern, that is laid over a primed surface and smoothed with a trowel. Alternatively, the resin can be poured over the surface and the aggregates can simply be scattered over the resin as it dries.
Many popular options of polyurethane resin are UV resistant, and improve the overall aggregate aesthetics as well as protection from the sun. This will allow the driveway to retain its colour for a longer stretch of time. It’s worth considering options that will give your driveway the long-lasting colour you want it to retain the longest.
Check the Condition of the Base
The lifespan of resin driveways will be enhanced significantly by taking a long, hard look at the base of the driveway before it’s applied. A resin bound driveway requires a stable sub-base to be applied on top of. Tarmac and concrete drives already in place act as good sub-bases for resin materials, and this can ultimately save a bit of money in the long run. However, driveways that have cracked slabs or uneven paving, or that are just generally in poor condition will need addressing (and fixing) first.
Surfaces with fewer joints, cracks and lines below the surface will make suitable sub-bases. This is because these distortions could show up in the finished resin material down the line. Constant pressure from vehicles onto resin that’s been laid on poor quality bases can potentially cause cracks and breaks. Installers would typically not recommend installing a new resin driveway on any damaged or broken bases.
Many resin driveway specialists offer sub-base installation as a part of their overall service. It is worth getting in touch first to see the standard of yours before anything is done. We provide a free resin driveway quote service that requires no obligation.
Make time for Maintenance
We all have varying amounts of free time, so if you want something that’s predominantly hassle-free and needs little maintenance, then choose a resin driveway over concrete any day. Many driveways succumb to damage in parts of the UK where there is a great risk of flooding. But given that resin paving is permeable, it prevents flooding and water collection considerably. These driveways offer natural drainage and surface water protection because of the tiny voids that are created in the finished material, allowing the water to drain through seamlessly.
If you make enough time for regular upkeep of your driveway, by sweeping any debris and washing the surface occasionally, this will enhance its lifespan even more.
