A resin driveway in the UK costs approximately £2,400 for a 40m2 driveway surface.
The prices will vary depending on the grade of the materials used and where in the UK you are located. It can range from £40 to £70 per m2, with an average driveway price of around £60 per m2 (including resin gravel).
Resin bound driveways are becoming increasingly popular because they are durable, chemical resistant, slip resistant and come with a wide range of design features.
What is a resin driveway?
A resin bound driveway is made entirely of synthetic resins that are used to form the final drive surface, it is also known as a permeable paving solution or a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS). As the name implies, water can travel through resin bound surfaces down into the earth below or be directed into a soakaway.
This is beneficial for a variety of reasons:
- A permeable resin bound driveway will help to keep water off the ground
- It helps to minimise flood risks
- It reduces the risk of slipping on ice during the winter months
- SUDS compliant resin driveways are safer to walk on
- You generally do not need planning permission
- And there are no puddles to walk through – so no damp shoes
Resin bound surfaces can come in many different shapes, sizes, and colours. Common alternatives are tarmac or concrete drives, block paving drives or gravel drives.
Resin Driveway Before And After Photos
This short video shows the transformation which can be achieved with a new resin drive. The photos show you how the paved driveway appeared before and after the resin driveway was laid.
Advantages Of Resin Driveways
Highly Durable
Resin bound driveways are very durable and long-lasting. They are resistant to all weather conditions all year round and so will not deform in the heat, freeze in the winter, or fade in the sun (using UV stable resin).
A resin drive’s lifespan can be up to 25 years or longer before needing an upgrade or repair (resurfacing).
Low Maintenance
As puddles, ice, mould, and weeds are all considerably reduced with a resin-bound driveway, it keeps maintenance very low. Normally all that is required is a jet wash/hose down and a hard brush sweep.
This type of DIY maintenance is within the capability of most homeowners or you can hire an external company at a low cost to power wash the drive for you.
For heavy traffic areas, you may wish to reseal the resin surface after several years to keep it looking new.
Environmentally Friendly
Resin is a very eco-friendly material to be used on driveways. A resin driveway surface can be constructed using recycled stones – and as it is permeable, it helps with natural water drainage – which helps with sustainability.
Design Variety
There are a vast number of resin driveway colours and designs you can pick from. You can choose different borders, and patterns, and incorporate curves – the list is endless. When you speak to a professional resin driveway installer, ask to look at some past customer reviews and pictures of resin driveways for ideas.
Quicker To Install
Depending on the time of year, such as in the height of summer when its hotter, your resin driveway might be ready to use in as little as 6-12 hours.
However, a professional resin driveway company is likely to recommend leaving the area untouched for up to 24 hours to avoid any potential damage.
Great Looking
Without a doubt, resin-bound driveways can look much better than grey concrete drives or black asphalt drives. The fact that you can mix different patterns in a resin drive means it will look beautiful.
Disadvantages Of Resin Driveways
Cost
Because resin bound driveways are more difficult to build than concrete or block pavement, resin driveway prices are higher.
Whilst it is possible to buy DIY resin driveway kits to lay one yourself, it is recommended to use a high rated driveway installer to ensure a high-quality finish and that lasts a long time.
Many driveway installers will offer a guarantee to cover their work – hence why it may be more expensive to lay a resin drive.
Not Suited For Heavy Traffic
Continual use by heavy vehicles can cause the driveways to crack. When this happens, some of the gravel can become loose and make the surface slippery.
The cracks can also allow weeds to grow. This will mean the drive will need to be repaired and probably resealed.
Moss & Weed Growth
As with any type of driveway, it’s nearly impossible to stop weeds and moss from growing if they are not maintained. While a resin driveway should help excess water drain away to stop moss from growing as quickly when compared to other sold type materials – no driveway surface will stop persistent moss.
What Affects Resin Driveway Costs?
1. Driveway Size
The obvious one is the size of the area of the driveway. The larger a driveway, the more materials will be required and more labour costs to lay it.
Other factors that affect the cost of a resin driveway will depend on what shape and size your driveway is (rectangular, oval, circular), the colour you choose and any special design requirements such as adding curbs or changing drainage patterns.
2. The Resin & Gravel Blend
Gravel used in driveways come in different sizes and blends. For a driveway the best size of gravel to choose is 20mm, for paths it is recommended that you use a 10 – 14mm gravel blend.
Each type of gravel blend has a different cost. The more expensive types of gravel blend include, white marble & flamingo, with the least expensive usually Cotswold and granite blends.
The types of resin used (UV stable or non-UV resin) to bound the gravel together is another factor which affect the overall cost. If you pick a higher quality resin for your driveway – then you can expect to pay more. Ask the driveway installer about the different resin qualities and how they affect the cost of installing the driveway before you hire them.
3. Ground Preparation
The cost of a resin driveway is also influenced by the existing driveway surface and how much preparation is required. If you already have a tarmac or concrete drive/path/patio, then it is possible to lay the resin and gravel mixture on top of it without having to remove it.
4. Edgings
It is recommended to have edging in place around a resin driveway or path. The edging on a resin surface helps to maintain the outer edges. If a resin driveway is installed without edging, the perimeter of the driveway is likely to crack with use, which in turn, could lead to a failure in the whole driveway surface.
4. Resin Driveway Installer
Another factor many homeowners do not factor into the resin driveway cost is the location of the installer. If you use a local driveway installer, it is likely to be less expensive than one who has to travel a much further distance each day (incurring more fuel and time) to complete the job.
How should I maintain my resin driveway?
Maintenance is crucial to ensuring that your resin drive lasts many years – therefore, regular cleaning and resealing the resin bound surface is necessary to keep your drive in tip-top condition.
It will need a pressure wash every now and again to lift any surface grime and keep it clean. If you don’t have access to a power washer, a powerful garden hose and a stiff brush will do. For maximum protection, its best to reseal your drive as well.
The best time to reseal your resin drive is in the spring after all winter weather has passed and the ground has dried out from any snow which may have lay over the winter.
To reseal a driveway yourself, begin by marking off a perimeter around your entire existing driveway to indicate where the old sealant ends so that you do not accidentally miss a spot.
Then use a wire brush to clean off the old sealant and apply new resin driveway sealer in its place. While you can do this job yourself, it is recommended that you hire a professional who has experience with resealing resin driveways as they will be able to get the job done much faster than you probably can.
You can use our free quote service to find resin driveway professionals near you.
Resin Driveway Installation Process
For a brand new resin driveway installation, the driveway preparation process begins with excavating the site to create a flat surface on which the drive will be laid.
Next, a tarmacadam base is laid and levelled using a mechanical screed or roller.
The aggregate and resin is mixed as per the manufacturers specification then poured onto the base material. This two-part top coat of finer aggregate is applied and is normally levelled with a hand floating screed to create the final driveway’s appearance.
Once the top layer cures, any jagged edges or cracks are repaired and a final coat of coloured resin is applied.
Resin Driveway FAQs
Do weeds grow through resin driveways?
They should not, as every resin driveway should be built with some type of weed prevention, either through a fibreglass mesh or rubberised membrane. The main difference between the two is that one is installed totally beneath the surface and the other is above ground on top of your aggregate.
Can you put resin on top of concrete?
Yes, a resin path or driveway can be laid over concrete as long as the concrete is in good solid condition. However, it is not the best option. If you can afford to have the concrete removed and the ground prepared for a new resin base, this will be the best option.
Can you pressure wash a resin driveway?
Yes you certainly can. Depending on the location i.e. under trees, the driveway will benefit from the occasional pressure wash. Just be careful not to focus on one area too long for the risk of damaging it.
What are the differences between concrete and resin driveways?
Concrete is one of the most used building materials for driveways in the UK. It can be laid quickly but is not suitable for all properties as it cracks easily during the winter months.
Can resin driveway be laid in rain?
According to all the resin driveway installers we referred to – the answer is no.
What Next?
Use our free service to get quotes for driveway installers near you.
Always request a minimum of three resin driveways costs/quotes to check you are getting the best deal.
