Do you need a permeable surface for your car park?

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Car park surfacing can be carried out in a multitude of different ways, depending on your budget and requirements. Many business owners opt for gravel, due to its low cost and the ease of the installation process, while others choose a hard-wearing, low-maintenance surface like tarmac or asphalt.

All of these surfaces have their own distinct set of pros and cons, but before choosing one, it’s important to go back to basics: to make the right decision, you need to understand the key attributes of a car park surface and what effect each one is likely to have on your project.

Permeability is one such attribute. A surface’s porosity – its ability to allow rainwater to drain through it – can have a significant impact on the design of your car park, its maintenance requirements and construction costs.

Will my surface need to be permeable?

To answer the question posed in the title, no – you don’t need a permeable surface for your car park. Lots of parking areas are constructed from materials like concrete, tarmac and asphalt, which aren’t porous.

However, if you choose a non-permeable material, you will need to invest in a drainage system to prevent your car park from flooding. Not only will this increase the complexity (and therefore cost) of your project, it will also require maintenance of its own in the future, making the car park more expensive to operate.

The pros of permeable surfaces

By contrast, permeable materials like resin bound have a variety of benefits.

    • They are often more efficient to install and can be equally as hard-wearing
    • A wide range of different colours and styles are available
    • The risk of flooding is kept to a minimum, as rainwater won’t sit on the surface for long
    • They are SuDS compliant, meaning no drainage system is required
    • They are better for the environment

Interested in learning more about permeable car park surfacing options? Get in touch with the team at A&MT Contractors today.

What to consider when choosing a car park surface

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When it comes to picking the surface for your new car park, you certainly won’t be short of options. There are a multitude of different materials available for you to choose from nowadays, ranging from familiar favourites like gravel and tarmac to newer, up and coming materials like resin bound.

The reality is that all of these surfaces have their own pros and cons; none of them are perfect, and all of them have their place. Really, it’s not about choosing which surface is the best, because there is no ‘best’. What suits one business won’t work for another – so your mission is to identify which surface is more appropriate for your needs and preferences.

In order to help you do that, we’ve put together a list of key considerations to keep in mind.

Budget

An obvious one, but an important one nonetheless. How much do you realistically have to spend on your new surface? Don’t forget to take into account line marking, kerbing and other accessories you may need – this can affect the end cost significantly.

Maintenance requirements

Do you have the time or money to be tending to your car park regularly, or would you prefer a more hassle-free, low maintenance option? Cheaper surfaces like gravel tend to require more frequent maintenance, which is a trade off that you’ll have to think about: would you rather save money on the installation, or save hassle later on? Surfaces like resin bound need next to no maintenance and can last for more than two decades, for example.

Durability

How long are you expecting your car park to last for? If you only need it temporarily, durability won’t be much of a concern – but if you’re making a long-term investment in the frontage of your business, you might want to opt for a surface that’s built to last.

Ease of installation

Need your car park project completing in record time? Don’t forget to factor this into your decision. For instance, if you need an overflow car park constructing urgently, a surface like gravel may be better, as it can be installed extremely quickly.

Aesthetics

Looks matter – especially if your car park will be situated right in front of headquarters. Leaving a positive impression on visitors is important, so don’t base your decision entirely on facts and figures.

Permeability

If you choose a permeable surface like resin bound, you won’t just be benefiting the environment – you won’t have to invest in a complex drainage system to keep standing water off your car park.

Get in touch with our car park surfacing contractors today

Interested in discussing your options with an expert and getting a free, no obligation quote? Speak to our car park surfacing contractors today.

Pros & Cons of a Gravel Car Park: Is It Right For Your Business?

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As one of the UK’s leading car park surfacing contractors, we work with all kinds of different materials on a daily basis. From heavy-duty tarmac and asphalt surfaces to customisable, attractive resin bound options, we can do it all — gravel included.

One of the questions we’re often asked about gravel is whether it’s worth choosing over the likes of asphalt and tarmac — perhaps the two most well-established car park surface options. To answer that question once and for all, we’ve compiled a list of the main advantages and disadvantages of gravel, helping you decide whether it’s right for you.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Gravel Driveway or car Park

Gravel is an affordable, easy to install material that looks good long term as a driveway or car park surfacing choice. It also provides good drainage, preventing puddles and the like from forming. With that said, there is a higher level of upkeep when it comes to gravel surfacing, as snow and weeds are harder to clear and require more maintenance on a regular basis.

Pros of a Gravel Car Park or Driveway

Let’s start with the positives, shall we?

Cost of Gravel Driveway Surfacing versus Tarmac and Resin-Bound

There are quite a few advantages in gravel’s favour, not least —cost. That’s because gravel is by far and away the most affordable surface of the bunch, coming in at significantly less to buy and install than tarmac, asphalt and resin bound surfacing. Labour costs are kept to a minimum thanks to the ease of installation, and gravel takes a fraction of the time to install, keeping more money in your pocket.

The ongoing upkeep of gravel isn’t expensive. If you need to get more gravel delivered to fix potholes or replace stones that have dissipated over time, you can do so easily and cheaply.

Gravel Driveways and Car Parks are Permeable

Gravel is a sustainable option, too. It drains very well, which is good for the planet and super convenient: you won’t need to invest in a complex and expensive drainage system to keep your car park free of standing water. Gravel allows for natural drainage, reducing the risk of flooding. This can be particularly useful in areas with heavy rainfall, common in the UK.

Gravel is a Customisable Surfacing Option

As an added bonus, gravel is more customisable than you might think. With a wide range of colours to choose from, it’s easy to find a stone that suits your tastes — and when the surface is neat and tidy, it can look decidedly upmarket (despite its low cost). Gravel offers a rustic, natural appearance that can blend well with rural or countryside settings, too.

Cons of a Gravel Car Park or Driveway

Although gravel has plenty going for it, it’s not perfect.

Maintaining a Gravel Driveway or Car Park

One of the biggest problems with gravel surfacing, especially when it’s installed in a high-traffic area such as a car park, is that it can begin to look messy very quickly. The stones can easily be spread to the surrounding pathways and roadways, making the area look a little untidy. Over time, gravel can erode or form potholes, especially in high-traffic areas. This can lead to further maintenance issues or even damage to vehicles if not addressed promptly.

It’s also not as hard-wearing as many other surfaces. Although potholes are easy to fix on a gravel surface, they do tend to occur relatively frequently. It’s common for lumps and bumps to develop over time, no matter how well the surface was installed in the first place. The same goes for weeds; even with a high-quality membrane in place, they will eventually find a way to the surface.

Gravel surfaces require regular maintenance, including periodic top-ups and raking, to keep the surface level and ensure even distribution. Loose stones can be displaced, creating uneven surfaces or bare patches.
Weed growth will also need regularly treated, which can require chemical or manual treatment, particularly in the UK’s moist climate.

Accessibility Issues with Gravel Surfaces

Gravel can make it difficult for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility or those pushing prams. It can also be harder to walk on with certain footwear, and cars may experience more slippage on loose gravel.

Discuss your surfacing options with our team today

Covering the entirety of the UK, our car park surfacing experts offer a wide range of different options to suit your individual needs. To get a quote and discuss your options with our team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Pothole Reinstatement Can Help The Environment – Here’s How

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While it’s true that potholes can cause damage to cars and look unsightly, they can also be quite damaging to the environment. An infrastructure issue such as this can cause more problems than you imagine, especially if left unattended and allowed to grow over time.

This is why repairing potholes (sooner rather than later) is such an important task. With the best pothole repair contractors able to provide you an affordable quote and get to work right away, there’s no reason to delay!

That said, it’s important to know the exact harm potholes can cause to understand why repair is such a priority. In this post, we’ll discuss how pothole reinstatement can help the environment, by focusing on the damage potholes can cause:

Vehicle Emissions

Vehicles tend to run more smoothly when they’re given smooth, reliable roads to drive on. Engines operate more efficiently, traffic can pass by seamlessly, and motorists can control their cars properly. Potholes encourage drivers to swerve, decelerate and accelerate, and even swerve or hit the brakes without warning. This can increase emissions, especially when multiplied over many cars that use the road over the course of a month.

Road Safety

Of course, potholes can cause drivers to veer off the road or cause traffic incidents, which can sometimes damage the local environment. Road safety helps the environment by keeping the lanes operating efficiently, with no need for obstructions.

Potholes Worsen Over Time

Potholes tend to grow over time as vehicles churn up the hole and break away pieces of the asphalt. This can lead to a larger issue, causing the need for longer, industrial recuperative efforts. It’s good to save your resources by fixing the problem as quickly as possible. The longer a road functions well, the less it has to be repaired and replaced, which itself has an environmental impact.

Water Runoff Is Affected

When potholes are left unattended, they can affect the natural drainage and runoff solutions implemented by private and public infrastructure, causing water pooling, ground soaking and more. If you live in a wet area, this can cause real issues. Sometimes, this pooled water can cause flooding or soil erosion, both of which can impact your natural environment.

Potholes Discourage Cycling

Cyclists tend to dislike riding on unreliable roads as it’s a safety risk. This means those who usually bike to work might decide to drive instead for safety’s sake, and of course, more cars on the road leads to more emissions. It might also mean cars decide to take longer routes to avoid the affected shortcut route, forcing many cars to spend more time on the road. Again, multiply this by the number of drivers on the road that day, and these emissions build up. What may seem like a minor inconvenience can be deeply affecting in various ways.

With this insight, you’ll no doubt see how pothole reinstatement can help the environment. With a reliable contractor and a realistic quote, you can get to work straight away.

Why You Should Get A Pothole Fixed Sooner Rather Than Later

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While potholes and other degraded road conditions can be frustrating, on public roads they’re taken care of by your local road authority – and any damage to your car, while upsetting, can be claimed against.

Not so with private roads. Here, potholes will be your responsibility, and that might mean having to drive over this particular problem time and again until it’s fixed. However, this can only lead to more problems if you neglect the issue, and if you own private property the public is expected to drive through (such as using a corporate car park), then you may be on the hook for claims against you.

As such, it’s important to get a pothole fixed sooner rather than later. With the best pothole repair contractors, this is easily achieved. In this post, we’ll discuss how and why you should focus on dealing with potholes as quickly as possible.

Potholes tend to deteriorate and get larger.

With cars bumping over potholes, wheels churning them up, and heavy impacts adding pressure to a weakened space, a small pothole can quickly turn into a large problem, potentially even rendering a road inaccessible. The longer you ignore it, the more costly the repair and the higher potential of damage.

Pothole repair pays for itself.

If you neglect to fix the pothole, chances are your car is going to be damaged. From damaged bumpers to scratched paintwork, tire punctures and sidewall impacts, this can get costly rather quickly. In other words, your pothole repair will pay for itself, given how much money you’ll save in potential car repair efforts after the fact. Not to mention that when you drive on smoother roads, your fuel economy is increased, a little money in fuel. Every little helps.

Your reputation will be impacted.

You don’t want to be known as ‘the business with the terrible parking area,’ if you offer parking spaces to the general public. This applies no matter if you’re running a school, a charity, a cafe, or a church. Bad parking is bad parking, and that reflects on your ability to notice and resolve details, which reflects on everything you’re trying to promote. For that reason, resolving potential potholes should be top of your list.
Safety is paramount.

Potholes are dangerous. Pedestrians and cyclists can easily fall over them, especially at night. As such, more than damage to any car, looking out for public or guest health is essential.

Repairs are always affordable.

We’ve spoken a little about how repairs often pay for themselves over time, but they’re also affordable to pay for now. For example, if you live on a private road with other residents, you may ask for contributions from each household, evenly divided, to pay the quote. Financed options may be available depending on the service you use. In addition, the best road repair contractors will always give you a fair quote for good and lasting work, providing you with a warranty to give you peace of mind. As such, repairing now as opposed to later, when the bill could increase due to worse conditions, is always a good idea.

With this insight, you’ll see how and why you should get a pothole fixed sooner rather than later.

Cost of resin bound patio

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What is the cost of a resin bound patio? Installation costs explained

Resin bound surfacing is an attractive option for everything from pathways to roadways, driveways and, of course, patios. And we don’t just mean it’s attractive to look at: resin bound surfaces offer a whole host of practical benefits too, including exceptional longevity and durability, permeability and ease of maintenance.

More on that later, but first: how much is it going to cost you? Let’s take a closer look.

The cost of resin bound installations

Firstly, it’s important to clarify that no two patio installations are the same. The exact cost will depend on a wide variety of factors, including your location, the type of resin bound surface you choose, the condition and style of the existing surface, the installation company you choose and more.

According to Checkatrade, the average installation cost for a resin bound surface is around £110 per m². That’s just for the surface itself though, and assumes you have an appropriate sub-base that the resin bound material can be applied to.

If you don’t, and a new sub-base needs to be installed, this will raise the per-m² cost by around £70.

How does this compare to other materials – and is resin bound worth it?

Looking at the installation cost of the surface itself, resin bound is on the pricier end of the spectrum. Cheaper paving slabs can be installed for as little as £65 per m², which is similar in price to brick or concrete. Flagstone patios can be significantly more expensive than resin bound though, with costs often exceeding £250 per m².

So, is resin bound worth it? In our opinion, absolutely. Not only is it attractive to look at, it will last for longer than practically any other material – all while requiring minimal maintenance.

Yes, you will pay a little more for the initial installation, but the benefits of resin bound surfaces more than justify the additional cost. If you’d like to get a free, no obligation resin bound patio installation quote, get in touch with us today.

How are Potholes Formed?

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Potholes are the enemy of motorists and cyclists alike. Even pedestrians can end up taking a tumble on one, as they don’t just form on roads – they can occur anywhere, from pavements to car parks.

They’re not just unsightly, they can cause severe damage; cars can burst tyres, bend rims and even damage suspension components by running over potholes, while cyclists can easily buckle their bike’s wheels on the things. According to Kwik Fit’s Pothole Impact Tracker report, potholes dealt vehicles a whopping £1.7bn in damage in 2022 alone.

It’s no secret how damaging potholes can be. But just how are they formed – and why does the UK experience them so frequently? Let’s find out.

How potholes are formed

Here’s a step-by-step overview of how potholes are created.

  1. A fresh, gleaming new road surface is installed.
  2. Over time, wear from vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians using the surface begins to create small cracks in the surface. This is an inevitable consequence of regular use, and can’t be avoided.
  3. Rain falls and enters these small cracks. This isn’t a problem until the weather turns colder, at which point the rain water freezes.
  4. When it freezes, it expands and hardens, causing the cracks to grow. Then, when the rainwater thaws once again, the cracks are noticeably larger.
  5. As traffic continues to use the road – and rainwater continues to freeze, thaw, freeze and thaw again, the cracks get larger and larger. Eventually, chunks of the road surface break off and, voila, you have a pothole.

Why is the UK so notorious for potholes?

Largely, this is due to our climate. Because we get a lot of rainfall over the winter – and because the temperature fluctuates so much – the rainwater on our roads freezes and thaws an excessive amount. This is too much for any road surface to handle, and potholes are inevitable as a result.

Other factors include a lack of maintenance on the part of local councils (often due to tight resurfacing budgets) and heavy vehicles travelling on roads that weren’t really built for them. Lorries can exacerbate any existing damage and cause new issues, like making the surface uneven. These factors explain why motorways and major A-roads tend to be in much better shape than minor roads.

Need a pothole repairing?

Speak to our experienced team of pothole repair contractors today for a free, no obligation quote.

How to Choose a Road Surfacing Company You Can Rely On

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When looking for a road surfacing company, you want someone that won’t let you down but that can also offer efficiency and flexibility. We’re sharing the key considerations and questions you should ask when choosing a road surfacing company so that you can find the right fit.

Know your requirements

By knowing your unique requirements, you can zero in on the specifics. If a company can’t deliver what you need, you can enquire with another contractor. This will help you weed out unsuitable options, but also makes sure you choose the best fit for the job.

Do you need a specific type of road surface with line marking and drainage? Make sure the company you partner with ticks all the boxes before signing any contracts.

Check credentials & accreditations

A well established road surfacing contractor is preferable. They will know how to work with companies and organisations like yours to get the job done professionally and to a high standard. They will know their way around health and safety and legal requirements.

Credentials to look out for include years of service, City & Guilds or Street Works qualifications and checking client reviews. Previous clients they’ve worked with can also be a strong indicator of the quality and reliability of the work. Do they work with the local authority or high profile businesses? If yes, that’s a positive sign.

Compare prices

You want the price to be competitive and cost-effective. However, getting the cheapest price shouldn’t always be the deciding factor. You’ll want to know that the work will be completed to a high standard to avoid hiccups and improve the lifespan of the surface.

Look for flexibility

Finding a company with a ‘no job too big or too small’ approach can really help if you’re looking for a long-term surfacing contractor partner. That means they can provide a bespoke approach and cover all your needs, rather than just the big repair or resurfacing projects.

Check availability

Some companies are available round-the-clock, even on bank holidays. If you require work to be completed out of hours or within a quick time frame, it’s crucial to check that the groundwork contractor in Peterborough can deliver.

We hope this guide will help you choose from a pool of contenders. A&MT are one of the UK’s leading road surfacing contractors. Contact us to get a no-obligation quote and discuss your requirements today.

Why Does The UK Have So Many Potholes

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By and large, British roads tend to be well-built and designed. Their achilles heel, however, is the pothole. Despite the best efforts of road surfacing contractors, the UK’s roads seem to be in a perpetual state of disrepair, with potholes springing up left, right and centre. Why is this? There are a few reasons, each of which we’re going to examine in this article.

The Weather

British weather is notoriously unpredictable. In many countries around the world, the temperature either never goes below freezing during the winter, or it dips below freezing and rarely rises above zero. Although we don’t get winters anywhere near as harsh as some countries, the issue here in Britain is that our temperatures fluctuate so much..

It’s common for us to get tonnes of rain one day (while the temperature is above freezing), only for this standing water to freeze over that same night or the following day. Every time the water freezes and thaws, the road is damaged. Bit by bit, the surface is compromised until, inevitably, potholes begin to form.  

Over-use

The UK is quite a small and densely populated nation, with a whole lot of cars, trucks and buses on its roads. Simply put, our roads see a lot of use. Often, heavy vehicles drive on roads that they really shouldn’t which only compounds the problem.

Poor maintenance

Another key factor in the UK’s pothole epidemic is, pure and simple, a lack of maintenance. Councils are either unwilling or unable to invest heavily into their local road networks, which explains the poor state that many of them are in. 

By contrast, motorways – which are overseen by the Highways Agency – tend to be in much better condition. 

Need a pothole repairing?

If you’re looking for an experienced pothole repair contractor to rid a roadway of lumps and bumps, speak to the team at A&MT Contractors. To get a quote, contact us today.

Driveway Maintenance 101: Five Top Tips

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Whether you’ve just had a new driveway installed or want to look after the surface now that it’s getting older, in this article we’re taking a look at five top tips to help you boost the longevity of your driveway, and keep it looking good for longer. 

Driveway maintenance shouldn’t be overlooked. After all, a new driveway represents a significant investment for most of us, and its condition and appearance can have a notable effect on the value and saleability of your property. Ask yourself this: If you were presented with two otherwise identical properties, one of which had an immaculate driveway and the other had a worn, tired looking frontage, which property would you choose? 

With that in mind, here are five of our top driveway maintenance tips. Stick to these and your driveway should stand the test of time!

Maintenance varies by surface

Every surface is different, and each one has its own set of maintenance requirements. From resin bound surfaces to gravel, tarmac, asphalt, block paving, concrete and everything in between, every surface is unique. Some require more maintenance than others, so make sure you know exactly what your surface is and understand how to maintain it. If in doubt, speak to the company that originally installed it. 

Keep it clean

One of the easiest and most important steps you can take is to keep your driveway clean. Most surfaces will respond well to a straightforward sweep with a broom and a pressure washing session, which can usually remove embedded dirt for a like-new appearance.

Avoid harsh chemicals and products

As we just touched on, cleaning most driveways is pretty simple – there’s rarely a need for any special cleaning chemicals. In fact, these are usually best avoided unless you know what you’re doing! We’d recommend steering clear of salt too – this can prematurely wear your driveway. 

Prevent standing water

If you experience standing water on your driveway, consider investing in improved drainage to prevent this. Standing water can wreak havoc over time, particularly if it freezes in winter. 

Take care of the driveway edges

Often, driveways wear more quickly at the edges than elsewhere – the edges are more vulnerable and susceptible to chips from things like shovels. Take care when gardening to avoid damaging the edges of your driveway, as even small damage can eventually spread as the weather takes its toll. 

Need a new driveway?

Decided it’s time to invest in a new driveway? Speak to the team at A&MT Contractors. Our driveway surfacing team serves the entirety of the UK and offers a wide range of surfaces and colours to suit your preferences and requirements. Get your quote today!

Are Resin Bound Driveways Any Good?

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Considering getting your driveway resurfaced? There are a whole host of different options out there nowadays, from gravel to block paving, tarmac and even concrete. All are established options with their own, well-publicised pros and cons. But what about resin bound surfaces? 

Resin bound hasn’t been around for as long as the options mentioned above, but it’s fast becoming one of the most popular options for driveways, pathways, patios and more. If you’re wondering whether it’s any good, the answer in a word is ‘yes’ – in fact, it’s one of the best all-round surface options available today. Here’s why…

The benefits of resin bound

There are a wide variety of reasons why resin bound surfacing is becoming the first choice of home and business owners across the UK. The main benefits include:

  • Longevity. Resin bound surfaces can withstand the elements extremely well, being resistant to cracking and chipping. In the past, when correctly installed, resin bound has proven to last for two decades or more. It won’t crack in the winter or melt in the summer, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a long-lasting driveway.
  • It’s permeable. Unlike many other driveway surfaces, resin bound allows water to flow through it. This is good for the environment and your wallet; you won’t experience any puddles of water when the heavens open, and you won’t have to pay for drainage to be installed.
  • No planning permission required. Another benefit of permeability is that no planning permission is required. That means resin bound is much less of a headache than many of the alternatives!
  • Easy to maintain. It doesn’t take much to keep resin bound surfaces looking good. A sweep and a pressure wash every now and then will keep them clean, and no other maintenance or de-weeding is required.
  • A variety of colours and finishes are available, making it easy to create a driveway that perfectly complements your property. 

Make sure you’re getting the right surface

There’s a similarly-named surface called ‘resin bonded’ which, unlike resin bound, is not permeable. So, if not needing planning permission and a drainage system is important to you, make sure you’re getting the right surface. 

We offer a wide range of different resin bound options here at A&MT Contractors, serving clients across the UK. To get your free quote, contact us today!

 

What damage can potholes cause to vehicles?

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Wondering whether to fix that pothole that’s sprung up on your premises? Or perhaps you’re simply curious about the risks potholes pose to motorists. Either way, in this article we’re going to take a close look at the kind of damage potholes can cause to vehicles. Fasten your seatbelts for this one – you may be surprised at how much havoc they can cause!

Common pothole damage

Naturally, the extent of the damage caused by a pothole will vary significantly depending on the size, depth and the speed of the vehicle travelling over it. However, even small potholes can cause £1,000s worth of damage, particularly to smaller or lower-riding vehicles (like sports cars). Here are a few of the most common types of damage vehicles sustain as a result of potholes.

Wheels and tyres
Tyres are the only part of a vehicle in contact with the road surface (unless something has gone drastically wrong, that is), so they bear the brunt of the force when a vehicle runs over a pothole. If the motorist is lucky, they’ll escape with just a damaged or punctured tyre. However, if their vehicle has low-profile tyres, the rubber often fails to provide an adequate ‘cushion’ between the road and the wheel, resulting in significant damage to the rim. Cracks, buckles and bends are all commonplace, and could set the motorist back thousands.

Suspension
The next point of contact is the suspension. When a vehicle runs over a pothole, the shock can be that severe that springs and dampers can sustain damage. Control arms and tie rods can be bent out of shape or, worse, crack and fail entirely. If one of the vehicle’s ball joints are already on its last legs, this can essentially detach the wheel from the car, potentially causing an accident. At the very least, running over a pothole can knock a vehicle’s alignment out of spec, causing odd handling characteristics and impaired fuel economy and braking performance.

Engine and chassis
This only really applies to lower vehicles, but is nevertheless worth mentioning. In severe cases, the vehicle’s oil sump or chassis can come into contact with the pothole, potentially causing an eye-watering repair bill. Although SUV owners won’t have to worry about this, drivers of sports cars, or classic and modified vehicles might.

Got potholes? Speak to the experts at A&MT

If you have a pothole (or multiple) to fix, get in touch with our pothole repair contractors today. With nationwide coverage, we can assist no matter where in the UK you’re based. We also offer road surfacing services if you need more in-depth repair services.

Permeable driveway surface options

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A Guide to the Most Popular Permeable Driveway Surface Options

Contemplating a new driveway? There’s a lot to consider when choosing a surface. Obviously, it has to look the part. And, if you’re parking cars on it, it has to be tough. You want it to last for a long time too – a resurfaced driveway is a significant investment, after all.

But there is another key consideration that sometimes gets overlooked: permeability. In this article, we’re going to examine what makes this word so important, before taking a look at the most popular permeable driveway surface options.

Why is permeability important?

If you’re not familiar with the term, permeable surfaces are those that allow water to pass through them and into the ground below. If your surface isn’t permeable, you’re likely to encounter a few issues:

  • Flooding: rainwater will sit on top of an impermeable surface instead of passing through it, potentially resulting in large puddles. Not ideal.
  • Increased cost: Impermeable surfaces often require the installation of drainage systems to avoid flooding. This will increase the cost of the installation significantly.
  • Hassle: Impermeable surfaces require planning permission, unlike permeable ones. If that wasn’t frustrating enough, the increased complexity of installing a drainage system (and the risk of potential flooding) makes matters worse. It’s why most homeowners now choose permeable surfaces.

Now you understand the advantages of permeable surfaces, let’s take a look at three popular choices.

Surfaces to consider

Gravel

Affordable, straightforward to install and attractive to look at (when it’s tidy), gravel is a popular choice – and for good reason. It also offers an additional benefit: security. Gravel crunches underfoot, alerting you to visitors (welcome or unwelcome) – and you’ll know immediately if a car pulls onto your driveway.

The only real downside to gravel is that it requires a lot of maintenance. Cars will quickly and easily dislodge stones, making the driveway look untidy.

Asphalt

Permeable asphalt is a durable and hard-wearing option, and a variety of colours are available to suit your property. It can be expensive to install and is prone to cracking over time, however.

Resin bound

Resin bound surfacing offers the best of all worlds. Hard-wearing, durable, attractive and naturally permeable, it can last for over two decades with minimal maintenance. Although it’s on the more expensive side, we feel it’s worth the extra cost. Resin bound surfaces are SuDS compliant, sustainable and highly customisable, with a variety of finishes available to suit your tastes.

Get your quote today

Keen to explore your options in more detail and get a free installation quote? Learn more about our services today – we cover the entirety of the UK, so you can rely on us no matter where you’re based.

Can you lay resin bound on block paving?

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Can You Lay Resin Bound on Block Paving?

Block paving was once the go-to surface for homeowners across the UK, but resin bound has been gradually catching up, with thousands deciding to upgrade to the versatile material.

However, if you’re looking to make the jump from block paving to resin bound, you’ll likely have one question on your lips. It’s a question we get asked on a regular basis here at A&MT Contractors: can resin bound be laid over block paving? We’re here to answer that question conclusively.

Can you lay a resin driveway over block paving?

Although it’s possible to lay resin bound on block paving, it’s certainly not a good idea! Block paving — much like flags, crazy paving and brick paving — simply isn’t a solid enough base. Over time, these surfaces shift and settle. They’re created by combining hundreds of different bricks and paving slabs, and if just one or two of them move (as they’re prone to doing over time), it’s bad news for your new resin bound driveway.

Sufficient movement is likely to lead to cracking, which will be expensive to repair. And once you repair one crack, it’s quite possible that more cracks will surface over time.

It’s just not worth the risk — we would always recommend removing the slabs, bricks or stones and replacing them with a more suitable base layer like tarmac or concrete.

Why we don’t recommend laying a resin-bound surface on block paving

Long-term cost: Laying resin over block paving has a lower initial cost than installing a new sub-base, but it’s less likely to last.

Movement: Block paving is made up of hundreds of bricks and paving slabs that can shift and settle over time. Even a small amount of movement can damage the resin surface. Resin-bound paving can be (and should be) laid on solid surfaces like concrete and tarmac, as long as they are load-bearing and not likely to crack.

Resin bound surfacing contractors

We hope that answered your question once and for all. If you’re looking at getting a resin bound surface installed at your home or business premises, the team at A&MT is here to help.

We cover the entirety of the UK, with bases in both Peterborough and Romford, and can complete your entire project efficiently and to an extremely high standard. Explore our resin bound surfacing page to learn more about what we do and the options available, or get in touch for a free, no obligation quote.

SuDS Compliance: Are Resin Bound Surfaces Compliant?

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SuDS, standing for Sustainable Urban Drainage System, is essentially a drainage standard that many surfaces are required to comply with – particularly in built-up, urban areas. In this short guide, we’re going to run through the importance of SuDS compliance, explain exactly what it is and answer the question posed in the title: do resin bound surfaces meet the standard?

What makes a surface SuDS compliant?

SuDS compliant surfaces have to be porous enough to allow sufficient levels of water to drain through them and into the earth below – much like grass or soil do. Some surfaces, including resin bonded (not to be confused with its relative, resin bound) are not SuDS compliant, as they don’t allow water to drain through them.

In this instance, to satisfy regulations, additional drainage will have to be installed. This can add a significant amount to the cost of any resurfacing project, not to mention hamper its sleek appearance.

Why is this important?

SuDS compliance is particularly important today, as regulations were passed in 2015 to try and reduce the likelihood of flooding in new developments. Nowadays, driveways in residential areas must comply with the SuDS standard. If they don’t, additional measures (like a purpose-built drainage system) will be required, as mentioned above.

Are resin bound surfaces compliant?

If you’re considering a resin bound surface for your driveway, SuDS compliance is an important matter to consider. Fortunately, you’ll be pleased to know that yes, they are compliant. Although the similarly-named ‘resin bonded’ material is not porous, and so doesn’t meet the SuDS standard.

Resin bound surfacing contractors

No matter where in the UK you’re located, the experienced resin bound surfacing contractors at A&MT can help you. From installing a new driveway to constructing a car park at your business premises, we can do it all to an extremely high standard. Learn more about us today and get in touch for a free, no obligation quote.