What resin bound is
Dried aggregate is mixed with a clear UV stable resin and trowelled out by hand to an even depth. Water drains through the gaps between the stones, so a resin bound surface on a suitable base is usually permeable. The finish is smooth, with no loose stones to kick onto the road or into the house.
How a resin driveway is installed
- Survey. The installer measures and checks the existing surface, levels and where water goes.
- Base. Either the existing tarmac or concrete is checked and repaired, or a new sub-base and base layer are laid.
- Edging. Edges and borders are set so the resin has a clean, firm finish.
- Mix and lay. Resin and stone are mixed in measured batches and trowelled to an even depth.
- Cure. The installer tells you when you can walk on it and when you can drive on it.
What goes wrong with resin driveways
Almost every failure comes down to the base or the mix. Resin laid over cracked or moving concrete will crack with it. Too thin a layer breaks up under car tyres. Mixes that are not measured properly can stay sticky or turn cloudy. Laying in rain or cold weather affects curing. Cheap jobs usually save money in exactly these places.
What to expect from a Wymondham resin driveway installer
Expect the installer to look properly at the base and drainage before quoting, explain what your driveway needs and why, and give you a written quote that sets out the area, system, depth and base work.
Questions
How long before I can drive on it?
It depends on the resin and the weather. Usually you can walk on it within hours and drive on it after a day or so. The installer will confirm on the day.
Is resin bound permeable?
Resin bound laid on a permeable base usually is. Laid over solid concrete or tarmac, water runs off the surface instead, so drainage has to be planned.