Resin bonded gravel is one great alternative to other paving options previously in use such as block paving and tarmac. It comes in various colours and designs and can be laid on existing suitable surfaces such as concrete or tarmac. Although it is not a permeable solution, it has anti-slip properties and offers good value for money.
Resin bonded gravel refers to a resin system where loose dried aggregates are scattered onto a layer of resin which has been applied on a suitable base. This leaves the surface looking like and having the texture of loose gravel paving but the stones are bonded to the resin.
Resin bonded gravel driveway, resin bound gravel and resin bound driveways should not be confused with each other as they are not the same. The difference comes with the application of the aggregate stones on the resin.
In gravel bonding resin, as mentioned above, the resin is first applied on a suitable base and then the gravel is scattered on the surface of the resin to give a textured finish with great grip quality. However, the surface is not porous meaning that water will not drain through.
In resin bound gravel, the resin is first mixed with the aggregate stones, then the mix is troweled down and compacted to give a smooth finish which is also permeable thanks to its porous surface. With this seamless, flat finish, there is no loose nor exposed gravel in the resin bound gravel.
Using a squeegee, the resin is first poured on a suitable base such as concrete or tarmac, then desired aggregate stones are scattered over the resin before it sets. Alternatively, pre-coated stones can be used while the resin can also be applied over the scattered stones to seal the resin bond gravel.
It can be overlaid over existing surfaces to create resin bonded patios, pathways, carparks and driveways giving that textured gravel surface but without loose gravel. They are hardwearing, require low maintenance and are a great alternative to loose gravel paving
The ideal thickness of a bonded resin is 4-6mm with the ideal stone size between 1-3mm providing great adhesion to the resin to form a strong textured finish.
There are several factors that will decide how much your gravel driveway project will cost. These include-
Prices both types of resin per 6.5kg excluding VAT is tabulated below;
| Type | Notes | Price per 6.5kg kit |
|---|---|---|
| Non-UV resistant resin | Includes the resin & hardener | £38 |
| UV resistant resin | Two-part polyurethane kit | £47 |
As earlier mentioned, the bonded resin gravel is not permeable. Its surface is not porous and so will not allow water to drain through to the water bed. This presents a risk of flash flooding, surface puddles while heavy rains can also leave a runoff which may likely see the drains overflow. This simply means that this resin system is not SUDS compliant.
Therefore, you need a UK planning permission if you want to install a resin bonded driveway as you would need to construct a secondary drainage to channel surface water away from the driveway.
We are specialist installers on Resin Bonded Gravel and are able to fit this surface across the entire UK area:
A resin bonded system can be installed on a new or an existing base which may be tarmac, asphalt or concrete. Before installing a resin bonded gravel driveway, you need to ensure that the surface is in good condition because the durability and longevity of the installation will greatly depend on the quality of the base upon which it is installed.
The surface should be sealed if necessary and cleaned of any contaminant such as oil, algae or traffic film to ensure adhesion with the resin. The base should be level and able to carry the intended traffic load. We recommend that you seek the advice of an expert on this. Bases such as block paving which have so many joints are not recommended as the number of cracks or lines will later on lead to cracks and failure of the resin system.
If you are laying a new base for the resin bonded system, ensure that the base is allowed to cure properly before installing the drive. For concrete, it should be allowed 7 days to cure properly while bitumen bases should be allowed a minimum of 28 days to allow it to weather and oxidize.
If you are laying the resin bonded system on concrete, most especially a new concrete base, you will need to prime the surface to ensure a strong bond with the resin.
The primer consists of a fast curing epoxy primer and a scattering of C52 sand which will usually set in an hour and 30 minutes.
Ensure to mask off the areas close to the edges with a suitable table but also remove them before the resin is fully set.
Procedure Of Applying Resin On The Base
Using a serrated squeegee, apply the resin over the base. We can provide you with a guide to the suitable size of squeegee serrations required to achieve your desired coverage rate.
Note: The minimum coverage rate usually depends on the aggregate stone size chosen. For instance, if you broadcast a 1-3mm aggregate stone onto a 1.5-2.5mm resin layer, this will cover about 1.5kg per square meter approximately. However, we recommended that you have some excess to cover for any surface undulations or differing resin driveways conditions.
You can trust Yourresindriveway to deliver quality, stunning, elegant affordable resin bonded driveway installations for your home. With over 30 years of experience under our belt, we are a leading name in the UK installation industry.
We bring to your home bespoke resin driveways ideas from our huge array of colours and designs to give your home the transformation it truly needs.
We provide resin bonded gravel installation service in various cities like Liverpool, London, Chester, Manchester and much more. Get a free quote after a free site survey, therefore call us 0808 273 7505 on your helplines for further enquiries.
Resin bonded gravel is a good choice and a great alternative to traditional paving options. It is also affordable and durable when used rightly for the intended purpose. It also has great anti-slip qualities thanks to its textured finish which makes it a great choice in sloppy areas.
A resin bonded gravel can cost as little as £20 per m2. Several factors however determine the overall cost of the installation which include- the size of the installation area, cost of additional drainage since it is not SUDS complaint and would need a planning permission, ground preparation cost, type of resin used, time of the year for installation, depth of installation, aggregate stone used, edging requirement, design choice, etc.
The ideal thickness of a bonded resin driveway is 4-6mm with the recommended aggregate stone size between 1-3mm to provide great adhesion to the resin to form a strong textured finish.
Resin bonded surfacing is non-permeable. The surface is not porous and so water cannot drain through the surface. This means that there is a risk of surface puddles forming after rainfall, flash flooding and overflowing of the drains after a heavy rainfall.
This is why you need a planning permission to install a resin bonded gravel as you will need to construct a secondary drainage to channel surface water.
