When it comes to adding kerb appeal to your home, driveways can make a significant difference. A driveway tells a lot about the kind of person you are, which gives a message about how you maintain your home, both inside and out.
Driveways are one of the unsung heroes of the home, providing valuable space for parking, charging electric vehicles, kids playing and families socialising. There was a time when the only choices for a new driveway were tarmac, paving, or gravel. Today there is a new kid on the driveway block and it is disrupting the way that we think about driveways: resin. Resin is becoming an increasingly popular medium for crafters and architects alike, allowing precise formation of shapes and offering a durable finish. In this series we look at the basics about resin driveways, the pros and cons of investing in a resin driveway, and how resin measures up with the more conventional methods in terms of price as well as functionality.
What kind of resin is used in resin driveways?
Although it may seem as though resin can be used for nearly everything these days, there are different types of resin, which are suitable for different purposes. Most driveway installers will use either epoxy or polyurethane resin. Epoxy resin is incredibly common now; it is relatively low cost and easy to work with, however, it doesn’t have the same weight bearing capacity of polyurethane, which is generally more suited to driveways as it can cope with higher weight loads and is more resistant to scratches.
Resin bonded vs resin bound
Resin driveways are usually resin bound, or resin bonded. There is a subtle difference in the two. Resin bound surfacing involves a mix of gravel (or other plastic, marble or any solid material) and resin which offers a durable, flexible surface. Resin bonded paving is slightly different in that resin is first poured on a base before the gravel or other solid material is scattered on the surface and pressed into the resin layer.
Resin bonded driveways tend to be a little bit cheaper than resin bound, however unlike resin bound surfaces, resin bonded ones have a non-permeable top layer. This means that it is more likely to be susceptible to puddles and could cause long term problems. Additionally, the solid components in resin bonded surfaces can work free, leaving holes in the surface. For this reason, resin bound driveways are more popular despite the higher cost.
Reasons to install a resin driveway
The general rule of thumb with home investments is to invest in the best that you can afford. If you are considering resurfacing your driveway, a resin one could be a low maintenance, highly durable, affordable solution.
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