Over the last few months, we’ve talked a lot about resin driveways. This is mainly because, at long last, we passed all of our certifications and became fully qualified to offer them as a service, adding to our range of driveway options. But one question that comes up time and time again is ‘what are resin driveways? How are they different from a normal driveway?’ So today, we wanted to share with you what exactly a resin driveway is, and what the different types mean for you and your home.
Resin Driveway Makeup
Let’s start with the basics. A resin driveway is made up of two main components:
- Aggregate
- Resin
Aggregate is the trade word for ‘stones’, and can be anything from tiny gravel chippings to large, decorative stones. Typically aggregates will be stones or pebbles or a mix of colours, sizes and shapes. Resin is a liquid synthetic polymer, which can be mixed and dried rock hard. It’s often used as the basis of plastics, adhesives and protective varnishes. Resin bound driveways are often called ‘stone carpets’ thanks to the unique finish and feel the resin gives them.
To make a resin bound driveway, you mix your chosen aggregates with resin, pour them over a primed surface and then smooth them over with a trowel. Once the resin has hardened, your driveway will have the drainage and appearance of loose gravel, but the durability and convenience of block paving. It’s strong, secure and crack-proof (if laid properly), and can be laid in a whole host of designs and colours. It’s also incredibly low maintenance, with only a basic hose and stiff brush needed to keep it clean and beautiful all year round. And because it’s porous, it reduces the flood risk for your house too!
Resin Bound VS Resin Bonded
Despite having very similar names, resin bound and resin bonded driveways are actually very different. While they are both based on a system of resin and aggregated to form fixed surfaces, there are a number of things that set the two apart:
Resin Bound Systems: Resin bound systems are the fasts growing surfacing the UK and is being embraced by a lot of landscapers as a great product for those customers looking for a great finish. In a resin bound system, the aggregates are mixed into the resin compounds, and then smoothed over a primed base. This gives the driveway a smooth, flat finish with no loose gravel whatsoever, making it great for wheelchair users or others who might struggle on uneven footings. It’s the perfect option for anyone who wants to preserve their driveways (or their cars) for years to come.
Resin Bonded Systems: A resin bonded system is made up of the same constituent parts as a resin bound one – aggregate and resin. The big difference is in the application and the finish. Instead of mixing the two elements together, resin bonded driveways are made by first pouring a complete layer of pure resin, and then scattering the aggregate on top. The aggregate will sink into the resin, and eventually, it will sit scattered on the surface. This gives the appearance of loose gravel complete with uneven surface, but with no movement. It’s also non-porous, since the resin forms a sealed layer and stops any water draining through
Both of these systems have their positives and negatives, and there isn’t one that’s better than the other. It all comes down to what you want from a driveway, and the location of your property.
At DPM, we are fully certified to lay resin bound and resin bonded driveways. We chose the resin-based systems because they are sturdy and robust, but also because they give such a wide variety of options for visual style. You can get aggregates in all sorts of sizes, colours and shapes, and with a little planning, you can even create designs in your driveway to give your property some extra flair. If you’d like to know more about our resin bound driveway services, just get in touch with the DPM team today.
