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Resin Bound Surfacing

A visit to the Hampton Court Flower Show in 2008 introduced me to a new surfacing that is porous, attractive and ideal for driveways, paths and disabled access. So having researched various suppliers ofr Resin Bound and Bonded Aggregate Surfacing, an excellent attractive alternative to concrete, block paving and other surfacing for driveways, paths and disabled access; I have finally launched my new service.

Although as a company, we have experience of laying this type of surfacing for other companies, this the first Resin Bound Surface driveway installed by my company, TVG Landscaping, was completed last week. This was a great success and the property owner has an attractive driveway, safe, porous and one which has added thousands of pounds to the value.

The initial pricing was to resurface the existing tarmac covered driveway, after having removed the tarmac surface. How ever, the actual base underneath was about 25 years old and was shot to pieces, worn out. This required replacing, which unfortunately added to the initial estimate and final cost.

Here are some before pictures:

Old worn out driveway, dangerous and not attractive

Tarmac came off on customer's shoes and spoiled carpets in hot weather

A new driveway is needed, an attractive and porous driveway?

The tarmac was scrapped off and once permission was given, the old concrete base was removed and a new reinforced concrete base was installed.

Concrete edging installed, to enable a firm edge for the resin

New inset drain covers installed

New step to back door installed

New concrete base

Reinforced concrete base throughout

The new reinforced concrete base was allowed to cure for 28 days before the Resin Bound Aggregate was applied at a depth of 15mm.

Resin bound aggregate from Ronacrete, going down on a dry surface

Surface being prepared with 15mm of resin bound aggregate

Attention to detail, surface being finished by trowel to a smooth porous finish

The finished driveway, a porous, safe and attractive surface. Ideal for disabled access, easy to clean, oil resistant and safe.

Completed driveway with new step and inset drain cover

Resin bound aggregate used on step forporous surface, non slip and attractive

The grass to the left will grow back soon but what a change to the overall property.

Can you tell the difference?

Dangerous, ugly driveway

Resin bound surface driveway

Within one week we have had several enquiries and potential leads, just from people driving/walking by.

Tags: resin, access, attractive, bound, disabled, driveway, porous, suds, surface, surfacing

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22 Comments

Comment by Philip Voice on November 16, 2008 at 10:26am: Hi Stuart - so that's where you have been for the last few weeks:)

What a difference to the garden. Thanks for uploading the pictures. There is no better way of explaining than with visuals.

I notice that you are using what looks like 20mm copper tube as grading guides. I have used aluminium scaffold bars for the same purpose but am I right in thinking that you have left your bars in situ?

I realise that many aspects and specifications influence the final bill, but what did this resin bonded surface work out at per metre?

Comment by Stuart Marler on November 16, 2008 at 10:41am: Hi Phil,

Thanks for the great comments. Yes what a difference and added value!

The tubing was 15mm, the exact depth required and the tubes were removed from the job, otherwise this would have a detrimental effect on load strength.

The resin bound surface (there is a difference in bound and bonded - BONDED is aggregate literally scattered onto a resin layer and sometimes a final coat of resin on top - where as BOUND is where the aggregate and resin are mixed together and then trowelled down to a smooth finish. The BOUND system is more hardwearing.) The price for a surface area of approx. 60 square metres, worked out to be £60 per square metre. Larger areas can be more cost effective.

Comment by steve loftus on November 16, 2008 at 11:47am: great job!! looks like the ronacrete paths we see at one of our school contracts,bound aggregate,my neighbor has just had the bonded style ,as his original surface was clean and level,just dull!. they apply the resin,then spread the aggregate and removed the surplus, i suppose its the cheaper alternative if you original surface is OK ,looks good too.

Comment by Stuart Marler on November 16, 2008 at 2:08pm: Hi Steve,

Thanks for the comments.

Both surfaces can be applied to go substrate and bonded is the cheaper option but isnt so long lasting.

Yes you are correct it is an ideal surface for pathways, as it is porous, easy to maintain and clean and goes down very quickly.

Comment by Shaun on November 18, 2008 at 11:59pm: Great job,this looks fantastic ,
Stuart when using this resin base on other landscaping projects within areas of the front garden, new legislation brought into effect in Octber 08, states that only porous materials may be used when covering more than five square metres of front gardens or planning permission is required. What sub base would you reccommend? as concrete is non porous.

Comment by Stuart Marler on November 19, 2008 at 8:00am: Hi Shaun,
Thanks for the nice comments.

The legislation also states that if the contractors can prove that run off to the lawn/drainage etc. no porous materials are needed. This is a wierd legislation and nobody really seems to know. The resin is porous and the concrete base has falls to the garden. The drive falls away from the road.

Comment by Bigyin on November 22, 2008 at 11:10am: Have I missed the point here ? I thought the purpose of porous surfacing was to allow drainage of surface water to the substrate which would help alleviate the load on the drainage system. If that's the case, why lay it on top of a concrete base ?

Comment by Cornwall Landscaping on February 21, 2009 at 5:30pm: The porous material will undoubtedly reduce run off and with a camber on the concrete this would allow for passing the reg's. However is it possible to incorporate vertical drainage?, by way of either simply drilling down through the concrete at 500 - 1000 mm spacings or else sporadic larger drains backfilled with loose stones, (20mm/40mm), to a suitable depth to hit the substrate. This may reduce the runoff more or would the porous material not cope with this, maybe 'belts and braces', but alleviate criticism. I love the finished result.

Comment by Stuart Marler on February 21, 2009 at 6:22pm: Thanks for the nice words.

Yes spaced holes in the concrete base would allow for drainage. How ever, the base would need to be solid - cannot be sure to lay on compacted MOT, or with larger drains.

Could add horizonal drains at periodic distances to aid drainage too though.

Comment by claudia de yong on February 21, 2009 at 10:00pm: Interesting looking at what you have done as I have to give a quote to do a large job near Birmingham. I see you used the hand trowel method.I believe there is another way to do it too?
Would you do it the same way for a very large drive?