Resin bound · Yorkshire
Resin bound driveways in Yorkshire, on a proper base
Resin bound driveways mixed on site with UV-stable resin and laid at a full 18mm over a permeable base, so rain soaks away and the surface stays smooth. Free survey within 3 working days and a 10-year written guarantee.
From £55/m²Usually 2–4 days on site
Overview
A resin bound driveway is natural aggregate, dried and graded, mixed with clear resin and trowelled by hand into a smooth, even layer. Because the stones are coated rather than packed, tiny gaps remain between them and rainwater drains straight through. There are no loose stones to kick onto the lawn and no joints for weeds to root in. It sits as comfortably in front of a Victorian villa in Harrogate as it does outside a new-build.
Resin isn’t right for every driveway. It needs a sound, stable base and a defined edge to finish against; it can’t be feathered out to nothing. It dislikes heavy vehicles turning on the spot, oil leaks and hot items such as barbecues or skip feet. If a van turns on your drive every day, block paving will probably serve you better, and we’ll tell you so at the survey.
Most resin failures start with the base, not the resin. A thin layer poured over cracked tarmac shows every crack within a winter. Aromatic resins, cheaper than UV-stable aliphatic ones, darken and yellow in sunlight, which shows badly on pale blends. Laying onto a damp base or in cold, wet weather can leave a cloudy, weak surface. And a drive laid thinner than 18mm to stretch the materials crumbles where the tyres turn.
We lay resin bound only, never resin bonded, at a full 18mm for driveways, using UV-stable resin and kiln-dried aggregate weighed into measured batches. If your old surface is sound we’ll offer an overlay; if it isn’t, we build a new permeable base and explain why in writing. Our resin driveway cost guide shows what you are paying for, so you can compare quotes with confidence.
Specification
The numbers that matter
- Typical lifespan
- 15–25 years
- Resin layer
- 18mm on driveways, 15mm on paths and patios
- Base
- Porous asphalt on an open-graded stone sub-base
- Permeable?
- Yes, when laid on a permeable base
- Ready to use
- On foot after a few hours, cars after 24–48 hours
- Time on site (50 m²)
- 2–4 days
The build
How we build it
Resin is sensitive to weather and leaves no room for shortcuts. We only lay it when the base is dry, the forecast is dry and the temperature suits the resin.
Survey and base assessment
We check levels, drainage and the condition of what’s there now. A sound, crack-free surface may take an overlay; anything soft, cracked or badly drained gets a new base, and we explain why in writing.
Excavate and lay the sub-base
The old surface comes out and the ground is dug to suit the new build-up. An open-graded stone sub-base is laid and compacted. Unlike standard MOT Type 1, it contains no fine dust to block the water’s path.
Edging fixed first
Block or metal edging is set to the finished level before any resin goes down. It gives the trowel a firm line to work to and protects the edges for the life of the drive.
Porous asphalt base course
A layer of porous asphalt, an open-textured tarmac that water passes through, is laid hot and rolled to the correct falls. It must be cool, clean and completely dry before any resin is laid on top.
Mixed in measured batches
Kiln-dried aggregate and UV-stable resin are weighed into exact batches and mixed in a forced-action mixer for a set time. Consistent batches give consistent colour and strength across the whole drive.
Trowelled to an even 18mm
Each batch is spread and hand-trowelled to an even 18mm, working to a wet edge so there are no visible joins. On slopes we scatter a fine anti-slip grit over the fresh surface.
Cure, protect and hand over
The drive is taped off while it cures. You can usually walk on it after a few hours and drive on it after 24–48 hours, depending on temperature. We leave written care instructions.
Finishes
Colours and finishes
Resin bound blends are mixes of natural stone, graded from about 1mm to 6mm. Colours change with the light, so we bring samples to the survey to see against your brick or stone.
Colours on screen are a guide — we bring real samples to your survey.
Golden Quartz
Warm, bright gold with a natural sparkle
Barley
Soft oatmeal; suits stone-built houses
Silver Grey
Cool and modern; pairs well with render
Autumn Gold
Gold, amber and brown mix
Chocolate Brown
Deep, rich brown that hides dirt well
Mocha
Mid-brown blend with cream flecks
Price guide
What it costs
Full installation with a new base
- Per m²
- £80–£120
- Typical jobfor about 50 m²
- £4,000–£6,000
Overlay onto sound existing tarmac or concrete
- Per m²
- £55–£75
- Typical jobfor about 50 m²
- £2,750–£3,750
| Option | Per m² | Typical job |
|---|---|---|
| Full installation with a new base | £80–£120 | £4,000–£6,000for about 50 m² |
| Overlay onto sound existing tarmac or concrete | £55–£75 | £2,750–£3,750for about 50 m² |
Estimate your project
Guide price
£4,000 to £6,000
Guide price · typically 2–4 days
50 m² · Full installation with a new base
Rather talk it through? Call 07957 236658
An honest guide, not a quote. Levels, ground conditions and access all affect the final figure, so we always survey before giving you a fixed price in writing.
Guide price £4,000 to £6,000.
Aftercare
Looking after it
A resin drive is easy to live with. Keep the surface clean and the pores open and it will look after itself.
- Sweep every few weeks with a stiff brush so leaves and grit don’t clog the pores.
- Jet wash once or twice a year with a fan nozzle, held at an angle and not too close.
- Mop up oil, fuel and brake fluid quickly; solvents can soften the resin.
- Keep barbecues, fire pits, skips and motorbike stands off the surface, or spread the load with boards.
- Treat moss in shady corners with a resin-safe moss remover rather than scraping it.
- For the first few weeks, avoid turning the steering wheel while the car is stationary.
Questions
Resin driveways: your questions
What’s the difference between resin bound and resin bonded?
Resin bound means the stones are mixed with resin and trowelled smooth; it’s permeable and there are no loose stones. Resin bonded means resin is spread on the base and loose gravel is scattered over it, so it feels like stuck-down gravel, sheds stones and isn’t permeable. They look similar in photos, so check which one a quote describes. We only lay resin bound.
Can resin go over my existing tarmac or concrete?
Sometimes. The old surface must be sound, stable and free of cracks, at a level that leaves room for the resin without fouling door thresholds or the damp-proof course. Cracks and concrete expansion joints show through resin, and an impermeable base means water runs off rather than through, so the falls must be right. We check all of this at the survey and only offer an overlay where it will last.
How soon can I walk and drive on it?
Usually after a few hours on foot and 24–48 hours for cars. Cooler weather slows curing, so in spring and autumn it tends towards the longer end; we’ll give you a time on the day. For the first couple of weeks, avoid turning the wheel while the car is stationary, as that can scuff the fresh surface.
Will my resin driveway turn yellow?
Not with UV-stable resin. Cheaper aromatic resins react with sunlight and gradually darken or yellow, which shows most on pale and golden blends. We use aliphatic, UV-stable resin on every resin bound job, and the resin type is stated on our written quote. If a quote you’ve been given doesn’t say which resin will be used, ask before you sign.
Can resin be laid in winter?
Only in the right conditions. Resin needs a dry base, no rain while it’s laid and curing, and temperatures warm enough for a proper cure; moisture can leave a cloudy, weak surface. Yorkshire winters cut the number of suitable days, so we watch the forecast closely and will move a booking rather than lay in poor conditions.
Can a resin driveway be repaired?
Small areas can be cut out and relaid, but a repair usually shows, because the original has weathered and blends vary slightly between batches. That’s why preparation matters so much: a resin drive on a sound base rarely needs repairing. If you’re expecting a new cable or pipe to be laid, tell us at the survey and we can plan a removable section in block.
Also consider
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