❓ Resin Driveway FAQ

Resin bound driveways are created by mixing UV-stable polyurethane resin with natural stone aggregates in precise ratios. The mixture is applied to 18mm depth over a permeable sub-base, creating a smooth, durable surface.

Resin bound driveways offer superior performance in every key area:

• Longevity: 25+ years vs 10-15 for alternatives
• No cracking: Flexible surface moves with ground
• Perfect drainage: SUDS compliant, no flooding
• Low maintenance: Annual pressure wash sufficient
• No planning permission: Saves £200+ in fees
• Property value: Adds £8,000-15,000 to home value

Perfect match! Hampshire's temperate climate (2°C to 22°C) is ideal for resin driveways.

• Winter: Flexible down to -40°C, no cracking
• Summer: UV-stable up to +80°C, no softening
• Rain: Exceptional drainage handles heaviest downpours
• Coastal areas: Salt-resistant materials available

🏆 Hampshire Advantage: We've completed 500+ installations across all Hampshire weather zones with zero climate-related failures.

25+ years with professional installation and basic maintenance. That's double the lifespan of most alternatives:

• Resin Bound: 25+ years ✅
• Concrete: 15-20 years (with repairs)
• Asphalt: 10-15 years (needs resurfacing)
• Block Paving: 15-25 years (high maintenance)
• Gravel: 5-10 years (constant topping up)

£60-120 per m² depending on size, specification, and site conditions. Here's the breakdown:

• Basic: £60-75/m² (plain finish)
• Standard: £75-90/m² (most popular)
• Premium: £90-110/m² (enhanced features)
• Luxury: £110-140/m² (complex designs)

💡 Smart Tip: Larger driveways get better rates - 100m² costs 20% less per m² than 25m²!

Six key factors determine your final cost:

• Size: Bigger = better value per m²
• Ground prep: Clay soil +£15-25/m²
• Access: Difficult access +10-25%
• Design: Borders/patterns +£5-15/m²
• Timing: Winter installs -15% discount
• Location: Remote areas +5-10%

Higher upfront, massive savings long-term. Here's the 25-year comparison:

• Resin Bound: £4,000 initial + £1,250 maintenance = £5,250 total
• Concrete: £3,000 initial + £5,000 repairs = £8,000 total
• Asphalt: £2,000 initial + £4,000 resurface = £6,000 total
• Block Paving: £3,500 initial + £6,000 maintenance = £9,500 total

🏆 Result: Resin bound is the cheapest option over 25 years, plus adds most property value!

Exceptional ROI: Most customers see 200-400% returns!

• Property value increase: £8,000-15,000 immediately
• Maintenance savings: £250/year vs alternatives
• Insurance benefits: Potential flood premium reductions
• Selling speed: Properties sell 25% faster

2-4 days for most residential driveways, depending on size and complexity:

• Day 1: Site preparation, excavation, sub-base
• Day 2: Resin mixing and application
• Day 3: Finishing touches, cleanup
• Day 4: Final inspection (if needed)

🚗 When can I use it? Light use after 6 hours, full vehicle traffic after 24-48 hours.

Often yes! This can save 20-30% on costs:

• ✅ Good for overlay: Sound concrete, stable asphalt
• ❌ Needs removal: Cracked concrete, soft asphalt, loose gravel

Specific conditions required for optimal results:

• Temperature: 5°C to 30°C
• No rain: 6+ hours forecast
• Low humidity: <85%
• Dry surface: No standing water

❄️ Winter installs: Possible on suitable days with 15% discount!

Complete service from start to finish:

• ✅ Site survey and design
• ✅ All excavation work
• ✅ Sub-base installation
• ✅ Drainage systems
• ✅ Professional edging
• ✅ Waste removal and cleanup

💪 You do nothing! We handle everything including permits and neighbor notifications.

NO! Resin bound driveways are automatically exempt because they're SUDS compliant.

⚖️ The law: Permeable surfaces of any size don't need permission. Non-permeable surfaces over 5m² do.

No special permissions needed, but color choice matters:

• Winchester: Traditional colors preferred
• Portsmouth Historic: Heritage-appropriate shades
• New Forest: Natural earth tones

💡 Expert tip: We know what works in each Hampshire conservation area!

Generally no, unless the driveway affects:

• Property foundations
• Structural walls
• Major drainage alterations

✅ Standard installations: No building regs needed - we ensure compliance.

SUDS rules are universal, but councils have preferences:

• Winchester: Heritage sensitivity
• Southampton: Drainage focus
• Portsmouth: Coastal considerations
• Basingstoke: Modern standards

Minimal! Just annual pressure washing:

• Weekly: Sweep leaves and debris
• Monthly: Hose down if needed
• Annually: Pressure wash (150 bar max)
• As needed: Clean spills immediately

Much easier than concrete! Here's how:

• Fresh spills: Absorb with sand, wash with soapy water
• Old stains: Degreaser + stiff brush + pressure wash
• Stubborn marks: Professional cleaning service

🚫 Avoid: Harsh chemicals, petrol, white spirits, or high pressure >150 bar.

Extremely unlikely! Here's why:

• Stones are completely encased in resin
• No soil contact for seeds
• Drainage voids too small for roots
• Professional sub-base removes organic matter

🌱 In 500+ Hampshire installations, we've had zero weed problems!

Rare but fixable! Usually caused by:

• Leaf buildup (solution: annual cleaning)
• Fine dust accumulation (solution: pressure wash)
• Oil contamination (solution: degreasing)

Yes, but only with poor installation. Causes of failure:

• Wrong resin: Non-UV stable systems fail in 5-10 years
• Poor sub-base: Inadequate foundation causes settlement
• Incorrect ratios: DIY mixing often gets this wrong
• Bad weather install: Rain/cold affects curing

Not with quality systems! Cheap installations fade because:

• Non-UV stable resin breaks down
• Poor quality aggregates weather
• Incorrect installation techniques

✅ Our solution: UV-stable polyurethane + natural stone aggregates = minimal color change over 25+ years.

Honest answer - a few minor ones:

• Higher upfront cost (but lower lifetime cost)
• Skilled installation required (not DIY friendly)
• Limited repair options (sections may need replacement)
• Color choice is permanent (can't easily change)

💡 Our view: These minor drawbacks are vastly outweighed by the benefits for most homeowners.

Critical for success! Red flags to avoid:

• ❌ Door-to-door salespeople
• ❌ Cash-only payments
• ❌ No fixed business address
• ❌ Unusually low quotes
• ❌ Pressure tactics