Resin driveways are a great way to boost the function and kerb appeal of practically any home. They work well with most house styles, from country cottages to modern newbuilds.
So, if you’re in need of a new driveway, you might well be thinking about installing a resin one. However, it can be tricky to know whether it’s the right choice for you and it can be hard to work out how to get the most out of this type of driveway. To help you decide, let’s look at the benefits of resin driveways and the top tips for getting a good finish.
Benefits of resin driveways
The first big benefit to choosing a resin driveway is it’s low maintenance. Weeds find it difficult to grow on the surface, so you may find your resin driveway needs little more than a gentle jetwash every six months. This means you won’t need to do much to keep it looking good. It’s also durable and should last up to 25 years, making it good value for money.
Secondly, as resin driveways are similar in style to pea shingle, they fit in well with traditional as well as modern homes. The advantage of resin over gravel is that you don’t need to spend time tidying up loose stones. Plus, the surface remains nice and flat while offering plenty of grip to cars and feet – which is exactly what you need from a driveway. This also makes resin driveways accessible for prams and wheelchairs, so they’re family friendly.
Another benefit is that resin bound driveways are permeableand SUDS compliant, so they shouldn’t need planning permission. This can speed up and simplify the process of getting a new driveway installed.
Resin driveways are pretty versatile too. They can be laid in all sorts of shapes and sizes and you can choose from an array of different stone mixes, giving you shades of beige, grey, white, red and black to choose from.
How to get the most out of a resin driveway
So, as you can see there are a lot of benefits to having a resin driveway. That said, there are a few ways to increase the attractiveness and usability of a resin driveway.
The first thing you should know is the difference between resin bound and resin bonded driveways. Although very similar in style, only resin bound driveways are permeable. But to make sure rainwater can percolate through, you should also ensure the base is permeable too. This will save you needing to install drainage channels.
If you want to mimic a gravel effect or have a sloped driveway though, it’s worth considering a resin bonded surface as this typically looks stonier and offers a high level of grip.
Whichever type of resin you choose, it’s essential to make sure you start with a sound, level base. This will give you the best finish and ensure your driveway is durable. That’s why it’s a good idea to get this type of driveway professionally installed.
It’s also important to make sure you choose UV-stable aggregates and resin as this will stop your driveway colour fading.
You might also want to think about customising your driveway design. For instance, you could choose contrastingedging to zone your driveway and make it stand out. Although this is likely to add from £11 per m² to your resin driveway cost, it will improve your kerb appeal. You could also consider adding in a patterned design using coloured stones or pavers or consider adding your house number onto the surface. This will make your driveway design more unique.
Tips for hiring a resin driveway installer
If you’ve decided to go ahead with a resin driveway, that’s great. But when you’re choosing an installer, there are a few things to look out for. Ideally, you want to hire a local and experienced company to carry out the work. It’s wise to make sure they’re reputable by looking for good reviews and evidence of satisfied customers.
You should be wary of anyone asking you to pay upfront for your installation as it’s standard practice for customers to pay for this type of work upon completion. In addition, you should also make sure they have insurance. And don’t be afraid to check their qualifications and ask whether they signed up to any trade associations or government-approved schemes such as TrustMark.
Finally, some reputable companies offer a long guarantee with their work, giving you extra peace of mind. This can typically last up to ten years, so it pays to do your research when you hire an installer.
