WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RESIN DRIVEWAYS IN THE UK?

Resin driveways have emerged as a popular choice for homeowners in the UK due to their stylistic and elegant touch. Their allure lies in their aesthetic appeal and unparalleled durability, making them a sought-after option for enhancing the overall look of residential properties across the UK.

An Overview of Resin Driveways

A resin driveway is a modern and stylish surfacing option for driveways that combines natural aggregates like gravel or crushed stone with a clear resin binder. This mixture is applied onto a prepared base to create a smooth, seamless, and durable finish that enhances the overall aesthetic of a property.

The resin is a strong adhesive, binding the aggregate together to form a solid surface resistant to cracking, weeds, and UV damage. Resin driveways are visually appealing and practical, offering benefits such as low maintenance requirements, customisability in terms of colours and finishes, permeability to water, and quick installation compared to traditional driveway materials like concrete or asphalt.

How does the resin bound driveway get installed?

The installation process of a resin driveway involves thorough preparation of the existing surface, mixing the resin and aggregate in the right proportions, application and levelling of the mixture, curing time for the resin to set and bond with the aggregate, and finally, finishing touches to achieve a polished look. With its durability, permeability, ease of maintenance, and custom design options, resin driveways have become a popular choice for homeowners looking to elevate the appearance and functionality of their driveways while adding a touch of contemporary flair to their properties.

So, what are the benefits of resin bound driveways?

Resin driveways offer many advantages, with low maintenance being a standout feature that sets them apart from traditional driveway materials like concrete or gravel. 

Resin driveways offer many benefits, making them an attractive choice for homeowners upgrading their driveway surfaces. Let's take a look at some key advantages of opting for a resin driveway:

Cost-Effective

While a resin bound driveway cost might initially be a little higher than that of some other driveway options, its durability, low maintenance needs, aesthetic appeal, and sustainable features make it a cost-effective choice over the long term.

1. Material Quality: The quality of a resin bound system (binders and aggregates) can influence the overall cost. Higher-quality materials may be more expensive but offer better durability and aesthetic appeal.
2. Installation Complexity: Site preparation, drainage requirements, and additional features like borders or patterns can impact the overall cost of installing a resin driveway.
3. Size of the Area: The size of the driveway plays a significant role in determining the total cost. Larger driveways will naturally require more materials and labour, affecting the overall price.
4. Location and Accessibility: Accessibility to the site and local labour costs can also influence the total cost of installing a resin driveway.

Cost Considerations:

1. Initial Investment: While resin driveways may have a higher upfront cost than traditional options like gravel, concrete, or asphalt, they offer long-term benefits such as durability, low maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal.
2. Long-Term Savings: Resin driveways' durability and low maintenance can lead to cost savings over time by reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
3. Value Addition: Investing in a resin driveway can enhance your property's curb appeal and value, offering a return on investment in increased property resale value.

Durability

Resin driveways are renowned for their exceptional durability, making them a practical and long-lasting choice for homeowners seeking a resilient driveway surface. The key to their durability lies in the strong bond between the clear resin binder and the natural aggregates used in the mixture. This bond forms a solid and robust surface that can withstand heavy use and varying weather conditions without succumbing to cracks or damage.

The resilience of resin driveways makes them ideal for high-traffic areas like driveways, where durability is a crucial factor. Whether subjected to the weight of vehicles, foot traffic, or environmental factors, resin driveways maintain their structural integrity over time, providing homeowners with a reliable and low-maintenance surfacing solution. With their ability to resist cracking and maintain their appearance despite continuous use, resin driveways stand out as a durable option that offers longevity and aesthetic appeal.

Low Maintenance

Resin driveways are highly favoured for their low maintenance requirements, offering homeowners a hassle-free solution for keeping their driveway looking pristine. One of the key reasons for their low maintenance nature is the smooth, non-porous surface created by the resin and aggregate mixture. This surface is easy to clean and resistant to stains, making routine maintenance straightforward.

Unlike traditional driveway surfaces that may require regular sealing or reapplication of coatings, resin driveways typically only need occasional sweeping and power washing to remove debris and maintain their appearance. With minimal upkeep necessary to keep them in top condition, resin driveways offer homeowners a practical and time-saving option for enhancing the curb appeal of their property.

Customisation

Resin driveways come in a wide range of colours and finishes, allowing you to customise the look of your driveway and add instant curb appeal to your home.

When customising resin driveways, homeowners have a wide array of options to personalise the appearance of their driveway surfaces. Some key customisation options include:

1. Aggregate Selection: Homeowners can choose from various aggregates, such as gravel, crushed stones, recycled glass, or even shells, allowing for different textures and colours in the driveway surface.
2. Colour Choices: The clear resin binder used in resin driveways can be mixed with pigments to achieve a vast spectrum of colours. This flexibility enables homeowners to match the driveway colour to their home exterior or create contrast for a striking visual effect.
3. Pattern and Design: By strategically arranging different colours or types of aggregates within the resin binder, homeowners can create intricate patterns, borders, or even personalised designs on their driveways, adding a unique touch to the overall look.
4. Finish Options: Resin driveways can be finished in various ways to achieve specific effects, such as a glossy finish for a contemporary look or a matte finish for a more subtle appearance. Different finishes can alter the texture and sheen of the driveway surface.
5. Edging and Borders: Incorporating contrasting colors or materials along the edges of the driveway can define boundaries and enhance its visual appeal, providing a polished and cohesive look to the overall design.
6. Logos or Artwork: For a truly bespoke touch, homeowners can opt to embed logos, symbols, or even artwork into the resin surface, creating a personalised and distinctive feature that adds character to the driveway.

Permeability: 

Resin driveways are permeable, allowing water to drain through the surface rather than pooling on top. This feature helps prevent flooding and water damage, making resin driveways a practical choice for areas prone to heavy rainfall.

When considering customisation options with permeability in resin driveways, homeowners can incorporate features that enhance water drainage and environmental sustainability. Here are some customisation options related to permeability:

1. Aggregate Size and Type: The choice of aggregates in a resin driveway can impact its permeability. Using porous aggregates like gravel or crushed stones with varied sizes can enhance water infiltration through the surface, promoting adequate drainage.
2. Sub-Base Preparation: Customising the sub-base preparation by incorporating permeable materials such as gravel or installing a permeable membrane can improve the driveway's overall drainage efficiency, allowing water to seep through the surface more effectively.
3. Drainage Channels or Systems: Integrating drainage channels, French drains, or other permeable drainage systems into the design of the driveway can further enhance its permeability by directing water away from the surface and preventing pooling during heavy rainfall.
4. Natural Planting or Green Features: Incorporating green spaces, planted areas, or permeable pavers within the driveway design can introduce natural elements that aid in water absorption and filtration, contributing to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable driveway solution.
5. Slope and Grading: Customising the slope and grading of the driveway to facilitate proper water runoff and drainage can help prevent water accumulation on the surface, ensure efficient permeability, and reduce the risk of flooding or erosion.

Quick Installation

The installation of a resin driveway is typically considered to be quicker compared to many traditional driveway options. The exact duration of the installation process can vary depending on factors such as the size of the area, site preparation requirements, weather conditions, and the specific installation techniques used.

Resin driveways are known for their relatively quick installation compared to surfaces like concrete or asphalt. One reason for this efficiency is that resin driveways often involve:

• Laying a prepared layer.
• Applying the resin and aggregate mixture.
• Allowing it to cure in a relatively short amount of time.

Additionally, advancements in resin technology that your driveway company has access to - such as fast-curing formulations, can further expedite the installation process.

Driveway contractors with experience in resin driveways can efficiently carry out the installation, ensuring the project progresses smoothly and according to schedule. Proper planning, site preparation, and efficient installation methods can also contribute to a quicker installation timeline for resin driveways.

UV Resistant

Resin bound driveways are known for their UV resistance, which is a key feature contributing to their durability and long-lasting appearance. The clear resin binder used in resin driveways is formulated to be UV-stable, meaning it can withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight without degrading or experiencing significant colour fading.

UV resistance in resin driveways is essential for maintaining the surface's aesthetic appeal over time. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause some materials to discolour, become brittle, or deteriorate. By incorporating UV-stable resins in the formulation, resin driveways can retain their colour vibrancy and structural integrity even when exposed to the sun's rays.

UV stable resin resistance not only helps preserve the visual appearance of resin driveways but also contributes to their overall longevity and performance. This means that you can enjoy a driveway surface that maintains its original colour and quality, with minimal maintenance required to combat UV-induced damage.

What is the environmental impact of Resin Driveways?

Resin bound surfaces offer several environmental benefits, but they also have some environmental considerations to consider. Here are the environmental impacts that resin driveways can have:

Environmental Benefits:

1. Permeability: Resin driveways' permeability allows rainwater to infiltrate the ground, reducing surface runoff and helping to replenish groundwater levels. This feature contributes to sustainable water management practices and helps mitigate flooding and erosion.
2. Water Filtration: Resin driveways can filter out pollutants and contaminants from rainwater as it passes through the surface, improving water quality and reducing the risk of water pollution in local water bodies.
3. Reduced Heat Island Effect: Compared to traditional impermeable surfaces like asphalt, resin driveways can help reduce the urban heat island effect by allowing water to evaporate and cool the surface, lowering ambient temperatures in urban areas.

By selecting sustainable materials, maintaining the driveway properly, and addressing end-of-life considerations responsibly, homeowners can maximise the environmental benefits of resin driveways while minimising their ecological footprint.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a resin bound driveway is a fantastic choice for your home. They are a sustainable and visually appealing choice if you're seeking an aesthetic enhancement and environmentally friendly option. The permeability of resin bound paving and resin bound gravel driveways stand out as a pivotal feature, allowing rainwater to seep back into the ground, curbing surface runoff, mitigating water pollution, and bolstering sustainable water management practices.

Here at Henson Plant, we're here to help you achieve your dream driveway. Whether that's a resin bound surface, block paving, tarmac or loose gravel - we've got you covered.  To get in touch with us or make any durfacing enqueriy - please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.