If you’re looking into getting a resin driveway for your home, you might be a bit baffled by the amount of information out there. There’s a lot to take in, and because it’s not as simple as, say a tarmac driveway, it can be difficult to find accurate information on them. So how are you supposed to make an informed decision before you part with your hard-earned money? Today, we wanted to share with you some pros and cons of resin driveways so that you can decide for yourself.
Pros Of Resin Bound Driveways
Durability: One of the best things about resin bound driveways is their durability. Because they are made of a mix of standard agate and resin, the surface is sturdy, tough and very durable. It shouldn’t crack, scuff or damage over time or with heavy use. If maintained properly, a resin driveway could last a lifetime.
Natural Drainage: Unlike tarmac, gravel or brick driveways, resin bound driveways are completely permeable. This means that water can drain through their surface easily, leaving no puddles, no standing water and no draining off the sides and flooding the grass or gardens around it. Their natural drainage is one of the reasons they last longer.
Easy Maintenance: Resin bound driveways are the lowest-maintenance driveway option out there. If it’s installed properly there shouldn’t be any weed or moss growth on it (as long as you keep it clean), no cracking and no dirt build up. All you need to do is keep it swept and wash it every once in a while.
Look: If you want a driveway that’s completely unique to you, or designed in a particular way, a resin bound driveway is the option for you. Everything about resin bound driveways is customisable, from the blend that makes up the surface, up to the pattern it’s laid in. And because they don’t oxidise over time, your resin bound driveway will stay looking beautiful.
Cons Of Resin Bound Driveways
Cost: Resin bound driveways aren’t your run of the mill driveway installation. Between the equipment, skill and man-hours they take to install, they aren’t the cheapest option out there.
Specialist Installers Required: Resin bound driveways can’t be installed by just anybody. They require specialist equipment, techniques and materials, which means you’re going to need to find a specialist installer to do it for you. In this part of the world, they are difficult to come by, but there are a few around – including us!
The Right Type Of Resin: There’s a big difference in the types of resin available. If you’re going for a darker stone and want an overall darker finish – protection from Ultra Violet (UV) from the sun, is less of a concern. This is especially true if most of the area is shaded, because protection from UV is less important. If you’re going for lighter coloured stone, and want a lighter resin finish, use a resin that offers UV protection. Ensuring the even consistency of resin during a driveway or patio installation is crucial. This will help prevent ‘lifting’ and ‘patches’ appearing.
Heavy Traffic: If you know your property will be the site of a lot of heavy traffic, or heavy vehicles, then resin bound driveways aren’t ideal. While they are perfectly suitable for standard cars or even vans and the daily traffic they bring, heavy vehicles can put too much strain on the surface and cause cracking.
You Need To Use A Good Installer
That last point is especially important for resin driveway. A resin bound driveway is only as good as the company that installs it. While there are no official rules or regulations around installing resin bound driveways, the good companies will have gone through the necessary steps to secure accreditation. But there are still plenty of standard driveway installers who will claim they can install resin driveways, but without the experience to back it up. If you use the wrong contractor, you could easily see all of those cons come true.
At DNA Brickwork & Builders, we can supply and install a wide variety of driveway finishes, including resin bound driveways. We can work with you to find the best options for you, including colour, style and pattern. With out help, you can have the best driveway in the neighbourhood! To find out more, just get in touch with our team today
