Driveways
Resin-bound,
done properly.
Smooth underfoot, no joints for weeds, and permeable so rain drains straight through. Resin-bound is the tidiest surface we lay — but only over a base that can carry it. Poured onto tired tarmac, it will crack exactly where the tarmac was going to.
Resin-bound is natural aggregate mixed with a clear UV-stable resin and trowelled out to an even depth. Because the stone and resin are mixed before laying, the whole surface is bound solid and porous at the same time — water passes through it into the base rather than running off to the road.
That permeability is not just a nice-to-have. It is what keeps most front driveways inside permitted development under the 2008 surface-water rules, and it is why resin-bound has taken over from the loose gravel it replaced.
Bound, not bonded — the difference that matters
Resin-bound and resin-bonded sound the same and behave nothing alike. Bound is mixed and troweled flat, permeable, smooth. Bonded is resin painted onto a base with stone scattered on top — rougher, loose over time, and impermeable, which can drag a front drive back into needing planning permission.
We fit resin-bound. If someone has quoted you cheaper for "resin", it is worth asking which one, because the price gap usually is the difference between the two.
The base decides everything
Resin-bound is a surface course, not a structure. It needs a sound, well-drained base — either fresh open-graded tarmac or a permeable concrete slab laid to falls. On a new drive we build that base from the ground up. On an existing drive we survey what is there honestly and tell you if it will carry resin or if it needs replacing first.
Laid to FeRFA guidance at the right depth and mix ratio, a resin-bound drive stays put. Laid thin over a failing base to hit a price, it will telegraph every crack underneath within a year.
Every resin-bound job includes
- An honest base survey — new base built, or existing one signed off, before any resin
- FeRFA-guidance depth and aggregate-to-resin ratio
- UV-stable resin so the colour holds and does not yellow
- Permeable finish that drains on the spot — no surface run-off to the road
- Neat edges, thresholds and drainage details cut in cleanly
- 10-year written guarantee on base and workmanship
Common questions
Is a resin driveway slippery?
No more than any smooth surface. The aggregate gives grip, and we can specify a coarser stone or add anti-slip additive on slopes and shaded, north-facing frontages that stay damp.
Do I need planning permission for a resin driveway?
Almost never for resin-bound, because it is permeable — that keeps it inside permitted development regardless of size. Resin-bonded is impermeable and can trigger permission. We only fit bound.
Can you lay resin over my existing driveway?
Sometimes. If the existing tarmac or concrete is sound, drains well and is the right type, yes. If it is cracked or holding water, resin over the top just hides the problem for a season. We tell you straight after a look.
Get a price for resin driveways
A written, itemised quote covering the base, the surface and the drainage — with a fixed programme and no surprises halfway through.