Category_Resin Driveways

What makes a good base for a resin driveway?

By Mark Wright

What makes a good base for a resin driveway?
Much of the beauty of a resin driveway comes from the smooth and seamless surface it provides, making it suitable for both vehicles and people alike. That’s why resin bound surfaces are ideal for use as driveways or footpaths. However, as much as we talk about the finished result, it’s often easy to forget about what’s going on underneath. Every resin driveway needs a base to be laid on top of, and as is so often the case with many home improvements, the finished result will only ever be as good as the preparation work beneath. A poor base can lead to cracking and potentially even the resin breaking up. But a good base will mean your resin driveway looks fantastic and performs faultlessly for many years, requiring virtually no maintenance other than the occasional jet wash. And that leads both installers and homeowners to ask: ‘what makes a good base for a resin driveway?’ So, that’s what we’ll discuss in this blog. Let’s take a closer look… Resin Driveway Tools

Best resin driveway bases: concrete and tarmac

When it comes to bases for resin driveways, there are only two realistic options: porous concrete, or tarmac/asphalt. But let’s drill down again and ask: what lies under the tarmac? Assuming it’s laid on a suitable sub-base such as MOT type 3 and it’s of good depth, resin driveways can be installed on top of the tarmac or asphalt, which will be strong and stable enough to support the required weight. On the other side of things, you have porous concrete. If it’s a new base, you’ll need to allow seven days for the concrete to cure, but if you’re installing a resin driveway over an existing concrete base of a good age you will need to ensure it’s been fully cleaned. For non porous concrete bases, the surface will also need to be prepared with a primer prior to the resin driveway being laid on. This is vital to getting the two surfaces to adhere to one another, otherwise, it won’t take proper effect.

Worst resin driveway bases: block paving, brick paving, flags

Unlike concrete and tarmac, block and brick paving isn’t suitable because it doesn’t provide the same solid base, and therefore isn’t safe as a foundation for a resin driveway. The uneven nature of brick paving driveways means that if you did lay a resin driveway over the top, it is highly likely to start showing cracking almost immediately. Paving slabs have a similar issue where too much movement can cause cracking. As the resin bound surface is a dressing, usually installed at 18mm thickness for a driveway, it is essential the substrate is as solid as possible and offers no movement.

SUDS-compliant bases for resin driveways

One of the many advantages of a resin bound driveway is the fact it is porous and allows water to freely drain through the surface itself and remain fully compliant with current SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) regulations. When installed correctly, our resin bound driveways can drain as much as 850 litres of water per square meter per minute, thanks to the permeable nature of the material. However, that only works if the base beneath the resin surface can also handle the water drainage. To achieve SUDS compliance, the base needs to be able to process the water too. This can be done using a specialist blend of porous concrete or open grade, laid over Type 3 MOT aggregate that allows water to drain through and into the ground beneath. While resin bound surfaces are SUDS compliant, resin bonded surfaces are not. This is because the resin is applied directly to the base layer and forms an impermeable barrier between the finished surface and the base layer. Any base layer that isn’t SUDS-compliant will mean the whole installation is non-compliant. Achieving SUDS compliance is important, as it means you can install a driveway of any size without the need for planning permission. A non-compliant installation may be subject to planning permission to ensure it has adequate drainage.

For resin driveway help and advice, contact The Resin Mill

If you’re looking to install a resin driveway over an existing concrete, Tarmac, Bitmac or asphalt driveway and want to enjoy a smoother, more attractive surface, or you want to replace a maintenance-heavy block paving driveway in favour of a lower maintenance resin surface, get in touch with our experts today. The Resin Mill is well-equipped to provide you with everything you need to know about installing the perfect resin driveway, including our fantastic resin training. You’ll find the answers to most of the commonly asked questions on our FAQs page, but to find out more, give us a call on 01484 213437 or get in touch with us via email or by completing our online form.

Reading next

The Resin mills products in Ireland

The Resin Mill products on show at the Northern Ireland trade show

Mar 28, 2023
Mark Wright
Read More
Spray granite

Tradespeople are invited to join spray granite event in Northern Ireland

May 10, 2023
Mark Wright
Read More

Leave a comment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

BECOME AN ELITE INSTALLER

Our cutting-edge training facility redefines learning, offering an immersive experience in resin bound and spray granite installations. Guided by industry experts, you'll access state-of-the-art equipment, honing your skills in a dynamic environment. From intricate techniques to innovative methodologies, this programme equips you with expertise unmatched in the industry. Become part of the elite installer programme, shaping the future of resin-bound surfaces with precision and innovation.

RESIN DRIVEWAY COURSES

The Resin Mill have a purpose built resin bound training academy, Resin Training Academy, which delivers our market leading resin driveway courses. It is the first of its kind in the UK, devoting itself to educating and benchmarking high performance standards in the industry. The Resin Bound Academy trains individuals and organisations the right way. Following the correct guidelines and procedures as outlined by FeRFA, we are committed to excellence. We have a full life size driveway where contractors can practice laying resin bound on to concrete. We do not install on to plywood in our resin driveway training because it does not replicate a real life situation. Resin bound surfacing is the fastest growing sector of the construction industry. It is therefore important to choose resin training that will give you a competitive advantage and a platform to be the best you can be. We have trained some of the most successful resin installation companies in the country. Click to find out more on market-leading resin drive courses at The Resin Academy. Or alternatively, browse through our frequently asked questions in the education centre.

Find an elite installer

By selecting a Resin Mill approved installer, you can be assured your project is in the hands of an expert! Fill out the form and we will match you up with your nearest member of our Elite Contractor Programme. We don’t sell leads to installers, we pass them on based purely on their level of expertise, meaning you are guaranteed to get the best service available from an installer we trust