Resin Drives pros and cons

7 years ago

Hi,
We are looking to get a driveway done at a small budget but using material which will last. I have come across resin Drives and wondering what the pros and cons are in terms of cost, maintenance,etc.

what could be other driveway options? I'd say the front measures approx 8m*7m, by estimate with a porch built in the centre.

The front slopes slightly downwards.

any ideas welcome, thanks in advance.

A x

Featured Answer

Sandra Marshall

7 years ago

It seems likely that paved front gardens contribute to flooding. You can buy permeable slabs but they are not cheap. Gravel is permeable, and will not get weedy if a good quality membrane is laid underneath. Please don't pave the whole drive, mine is and I hate it. Greenery at the front of the house softens and frames the house, cleans the air, muffles noise and provides food and shelter for birds and brightens the outlook for you your neighbours and passers by. Post a picture on a new thread for design and planting ideas for the space, even if you put in a little edge of green, it does help. Oh and th RHS website has lots of ideas for front garden /drivewaysas part of their Greening grey Britain campaign.

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Comments (15)

Jonathan
7 years ago
my Mum recently costed a resin covering for her drive and concluded that it would be cheaper to retarmac
PRO
Arthur Road Landscapes
7 years ago
Resin bound drives are not cheap. They look nice as long as your car doesn't drip oil. They can crack, particularly along the edges. If your drive slopes towards the road you will need to add some drainage to prevent water escaping onto the road into public sewers. Gravel is cheap, looks good (though needs weeding from time to time) and doesn't require drainage.
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A S
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank-you for your comments, I will look into gravel, does it grow weeds alot. I have had alot of issues with weeks growing through paving stones and a heck of a job to pull out.

Any ideas on how I could arrange layout of garden, porch will be central to a terraced house. if I limited drive to one end, what could I do on other? I would like to get some plant life and greenery in garden. It isnt a drastic slope but contractor will be dealing with drain issues.
A S
Original Author
7 years ago
*paving slabs
Helen C
7 years ago
I think resin driveways have a very harsh look to them, I've also seen one with a crack in which looked particularly awful! Re gravel driveways I agree they are better for drainage, look more sophisticated and are a good burglar deterrent. I don't find weeds a problem. If you are considering gravel I would suggest looking at grids to contain the gravel and also lay a threshold between the pavement and your land in block paving to keep the gravel within your property. This is particularly pertinent if the driveway is sloped.
A S
Original Author
7 years ago
I think Gravel is something I will definitely consider, what price would I be looking at if I want to get something like gravel with paving stones on top for yard approx 8m by 7m. I'll attach an image of a look which reflects my vision slightly.

thank you soo much everyone
Helen C
7 years ago
I'm no expert but it would all depend on the gravel you select. You can get gravel calculators online, if you were to gravel the whole area the gravel calc I used suggests 6 bulk bags (850kg). You would just need to look online at various gravel and select one you like that is suitable for driveways, prices do vary. Then you have an idea of the main cost. Also factor in the hardcore, weed membrane, grids (if you have the budget otherwise these can be left out).
Victoria
7 years ago
There are resin bound and resin bonded driveways, they are different.
http://www.addagrip.co.uk/92/56external-surfacingaddasettechnical-informationbase-build-ups
Resin bound driveways, like mine, are SUDS compliant and completely porous. I can throw a bucket of water on it and it instantly disappears. We rarely get any water in the drainage gullies we put in.
Our local council refuses permission for gravel drives as the gravel disperses onto the roads.
No weed growth at all, far better all round than our previous block paving.
PRO
Arthur Road Landscapes
7 years ago
You can get a plastic grid to put under the gravel and it helps prevent the gravel spilling/travelling. And yes, you do eventually get weeds on gravel so it does need weeding - but it is a case of a stitch in time... If you like the look of resin bound gravel, and it does look nice, I would ask to see some installations that are a few years old (more than 5 years) and then you can make a good decision.
A B
7 years ago
What happens as resin bound gravel ages? I also love the neat weed free look, but have concerns about it
PRO
AJC PROJECT SERVICES Ltd
7 years ago
Resin Bound is fully permeable, virtually maintenance and weed free and is long lasting if installed properly by fully trained installers. with all aspects and possible problems addressed before the resin bound aggregate is laid you should not have any problems for many years and with the initial outlay in cost it should be worth that little bit extra. use as we do a very good resin, prime and address problem areas before and you wont have any problems. we offer over 20 different mixes as standard and a bespoke service for that extra special mix. with this in mind you should be able to maintain the look and quality of your drive, path or patio for many years to come with no loss of colour or quality.
User
6 years ago
I had a resin drive installed. Worst thing I ever did, despite being very unsure about it and I was persuaded to have it. It's a large area. The overall finish isn't flat and in sunlight it looks dreadful with some many uneven spreading lines on it. It's a pale grey effect and has discoloured to almost black in parts and looks horrible. It is absolutely lethal when there is ice about as it becomes like a skating rink. It has disintegrated in various places and holes have appeared in the surface. It has been patched up which looks awful. I wouldn't recommend anyone to get a resin drive
mattweeksdj
6 years ago
We recently had our drive done (small drive / mid terrace) and considered all the options. Previously it was half gravel and half paving slab but a complete bodge job by whoever laid it. If you are doing it yourself then you will likely save money with the various options available but we had to get someone in. After considering gravel (done properly with the grids) and having the driveway paved we opted for paving as there was not much difference in the overall cost. We went for the new Marshalls preamble block which allows water to naturally soak into them and then slowly into the ground....no need for additional drainage / soakaway.
Gavin Smith
last year
We had our drive done by Aire Valley resin and its been amazing.

https://airevalleyresin.co.uk/Aire Valley Resin

Resin Drives pros and cons

Sandra Marshall

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