A resin bound driveway gives your home a smooth, clean finish that lets rainwater drain straight through. We lay resin bound driveways all over Harpenden, including Batford, Southdown, West Common and Kinsbourne Green. We also work in nearby Wheathampstead, Redbourn and St Albans.
We lay resin bound, the porous option. This page explains what that means, how it compares with resin bonded, how we lay it and how to look after it. When you're ready, we'll come out for a free site survey and give you a clear written quote. There's no deposit to pay.
Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338, email hello@5stardrivewaysandpatios.co.uk, or get your free quote.
What is a resin bound driveway?
A resin bound driveway is made from natural stone and a clear resin. The two are mixed together on site, then spread and trowelled smooth by hand. Every stone is coated and held in the resin, so nothing comes loose. The surface is smooth enough for buggies, bikes and wheelchairs.
The stones aren't packed solid. Tiny gaps are left between them, and that's what makes resin bound porous. Rainwater soaks through the surface into the base below, instead of running off onto the road or towards the house.
Why choose resin bound?
1. Porous. Rainwater drains through, which helps with puddles, and with planning for front gardens.
2. Smooth and even. It's comfortable to walk on, with no loose stones to kick about or bring into the house.
3. Helps keep weeds down. A properly laid resin bound surface on a good base leaves little room for weeds to take hold.
4. Plenty of colour choice. Natural stone blends range from warm golds to cool greys, so you can match your brickwork or doors.
5. A neat finish. Clean edges and a seamless look.
6. Low upkeep. A brush and an occasional rinse keep it looking good.
Resin bound or resin bonded: what's the difference?
The names are close, but the two are very different.
1. Resin bound (what we lay). Stone and resin are mixed together, then trowelled smooth. The surface is porous, and the stones are held firmly in place.
2. Resin bonded. A layer of resin is spread on the ground, and loose stone is scattered over the top. The surface isn't porous, and loose stones can come away over time.
If a quote just says "resin", it's worth asking which one you're getting.
Is resin bound right for your home?
Resin bound suits most driveways, but it isn't always the best answer. We'll tell you if something else would suit you better.
1. It's a great fit if you want a smooth, porous, low-upkeep finish. This is especially true at the front of the house, where drainage and planning matter.
2. Under big trees, it still works well, but expect to brush it more often in autumn.
We'd rather you end up with the right driveway than the one we happened to suggest first.
Colours and edging
Resin bound comes in a wide range of natural stone blends. Lighter blends brighten a driveway. Darker or mixed blends hide everyday marks well.
Edges are important for a neat finish and to hold the resin in place.
Over your old surface, or a new base?
Resin bound can sometimes be laid over an existing tarmac or concrete driveway, if it's sound, level and drains properly. If the old surface is cracked, sinking or doesn't drain, it needs to come up, and a new porous base goes down. We'll check on the survey and tell you honestly which is right.
Drainage and planning
Because resin bound is porous, it suits front gardens well. For a front garden, you usually don't need planning permission if the surface lets rain soak through, or the water runs onto a lawn or border. A solid surface over 5 square metres that drains nowhere else normally needs permission. Flats have different rules. You can read the government guidance on paving front gardens.
For the surface to drain, the layers underneath must drain too. That's why we lay a proper base that lets water through. Where needed, we add drainage at the edges.
What affects the cost of a resin bound driveway?
We don't publish prices, because every driveway is different. The main things that affect the cost are:
1. Size. The area to be covered.
2. The base. Whether we can lay over your existing surface, or need to dig out and lay a new porous base.
3. Stone blend. Some blends cost more than others.
4. Edging and borders. The type of edging, and any border or pattern.
5. Drainage. Any extra drainage needed at the edges.
6. Access. How easily materials can reach the driveway.
7. Steps, walls and paths. Anything else you'd like done at the same time.
Book a free site survey and we'll give you a clear written quote, with no obligation.
How we lay a resin bound driveway
1. Survey. We visit, measure up and check the existing surface, levels and drainage.
2. Written quote. A clear quote with everything set out. No deposit.
3. Preparation. Either we prepare your existing surface, or we dig out and lay a new porous base.
4. Edging. We fix edging firmly to hold the resin and give a crisp line.
5. Mixing. We mix the stone and resin in small batches on site, so every stone is coated.
6. Trowelling. We spread each batch and trowel it smooth by hand, to an even depth.
7. Curing. The resin is left to set. We'll tell you when it's safe to walk on and when you can drive on it.
8. Clean-up and handover. We clear the site and explain the aftercare.
Looking after your resin driveway
1. Brush it regularly, to stop leaves and dirt clogging the surface.
2. Rinse or jet wash it now and then, so water can still drain through. Keep the jet moving and not too close.
3. Clean up oil and spills quickly with warm, soapy water.
4. Clear moss or weeds early, especially in shady spots under trees.
5. Avoid sharp turns on full lock while a brand-new surface fully hardens.
Our cleaning service can give a resin driveway a proper clean when it needs it.
Resin bound patios and paths
The same porous finish works in the garden too. See our resin bound patios and paths page if you'd like the front and back to match.
Walls and edges
A new resin driveway often looks its best with a matching front wall. We build garden walls, including brickwork and pillars. We also build retaining walls where the ground changes level.
Recent resin work
See more in our photo gallery.
Questions about resin driveways
Is a resin bound driveway porous?
Yes. Rainwater drains through the surface into the base below.
What's the difference between resin bound and resin bonded?
Resin bound is mixed and trowelled smooth, and it's porous. Resin bonded has loose stone scattered onto a resin layer, and it isn't porous. We lay resin bound.
Can resin go over my existing tarmac or concrete?
Sometimes, if the old surface is sound, level and drains well. We'll check on the survey.
When can I drive on my new resin driveway?
We'll give you clear timings when we hand over, because the time it takes to set depends on the weather.
Will weeds grow through resin bound?
A properly laid resin bound driveway on a good base keeps weeds down. Seeds can sometimes settle on top, so brush them away early.
How do I clean and look after a resin driveway?
Brush it regularly, and rinse or jet wash it gently now and then. Clean up spills quickly.
Do I need planning permission for a resin driveway?
For a front garden, a surface that lets water soak through usually doesn't need permission. See the notes above. We'll go through it with you.
Is my resin driveway covered by the 10-year guarantee?
Yes. Our 10-year guarantee covers our driveways, patios and walls. The details are set out with your written quote.
Areas we cover
We lay resin bound driveways in Harpenden and 23 nearby towns. See our areas page or our Harpenden driveways page.
Get your free quote
Tell us a little about the job and we'll arrange a free site survey and a clear written quote. There's no deposit to pay and no obligation.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338. You're welcome to send photos of your driveway or garden on WhatsApp first.