If you’re considering having a resin bound surface installed on your driveway or pathway, we’re covering exactly what’s involved in this quick guide. This surface is created as a mix of resin and aggregates bound together in a forced action mixer. Its smooth, flat surface even earned it another name: ‘stone carpet’. To have the best surface solution for your site, it’s important to pick the right base. While a professional surfacing contractor should be able to advise on this, our resin bound surfacing experts are giving you some insight into the different bases available and the pros and cons for each.
What’s a suitable base material?
- Concrete
- Tarmac
- Grid systems
What are the pros and cons of each?
Concrete:
New or old concrete is a suitable base for resin bound surfacing. Permeable concrete is best. Non-permeable concrete can absorb moisture and could affect the lifespan of your driveway. With non-permeable concrete, you’ll also need to have falls and drainage installed – an extra expense that means the project will take longer to complete. If you want a new permeable concrete base laid, you will need to wait 14 days before having your resin driveway installed. It will also need to be primed with a polymer primer.
Tarmac:
If your tarmac or asphalt surface is in good condition, it makes an ideal base for your resin bound surface. Similarly to concrete, if your tarmac base is not permeable, you will need to have drainage installed.
If you’re looking to install a new tarmac base, permeable is the most efficient choice. A new non-permeable driveway will need planning permission. It will also need drainage.
A top advantage of having a tarmac base is that the resin paving can be directly installed on the tarmac, as it creates chemical and physical bonds. Contact our tarmac surfacing contractors for more information.
Grid systems:
Grid systems are environmentally friendly and free draining. While this base isn’t quite as strong as concrete or tarmac, you will still have a sturdy base for your resin bound paving.
Which one is best for which situation?
Your surface should be suitable for the load that it will carry. You should discuss the type and number of vehicles that will use your driveway with your chosen contractor. For heavier vehicles and more frequent use, permeable concrete or tarmac is highly recommended.
If you already have a strong base in place, then you’re all good to go. However, if you’re not sure what base you have, or which one is best for your site, you should get a free site survey from our expert groundworkers in Peterborough or London. If you’re looking for resin bound surfacing, contact the team at A&MT today. We make sure you’re completely confident that your driveway will be practical and long-lasting. We are City & Guilds qualified and we offer flexible scheduling to get your new driveway completed at a time to suit you.
