Resin Bound Driveways in Portsmouth

What resin bound actually is

Resin bound surfacing is a mix of kiln-dried natural aggregate and a two-part polyurethane resin, blended on site and trowelled out to a nominal 15–18mm over a prepared base. Every stone is fully coated, so the finished surface is continuous, firm underfoot and has no joints, no loose stone and nowhere for weeds to establish.

Because voids remain between the coated stones, water passes straight through at a rate far higher than any rainfall the south coast produces. That makes it a SuDS-compliant surface when laid over a permeable base, which usually keeps a front driveway within permitted development.

Where it works best

Resin suits anyone who wants a clean, quiet, low-maintenance surface: it sweeps easily, bins and pushchairs roll over it without catching, and there is no jointing sand to top up. Wheelchair users and anyone with mobility difficulties notice the difference immediately compared with gravel or riven paving.

It is also the neatest way to upgrade an existing sound tarmac drive, and it works well for paths, bin stores, garden terraces and the surround to an outdoor seating area where a continuous surface looks better than a grid of slabs.

Aggregates and colours

Blends range from pale silvers and golden buffs through to autumn browns and near-black basalts, in 1–3mm and 2–5mm sizes. Smaller aggregate gives a tighter, smoother finish; larger reads more like gravel. Recycled glass and marble blends are available where a brighter finish is wanted.

A darker blend hides tyre marks and general grime better on a busy frontage. A pale blend lifts a shaded, north-facing entrance. We leave samples with you so you can look at them wet and dry, in daylight and under a security light, before deciding.

Installation and weather

Resin is weather-dependent. It cannot be laid in rain or onto a damp base, and low temperatures slow the cure while high temperatures shorten the working time of each mix. That is why we build sensible contingency into the programme rather than promising a fixed date and then rushing a mix.

On the day, the base is checked and primed where needed, edges and thresholds are masked, and each batch is mixed to a measured ratio and trowelled into the last while still open, so there are no cold joints across the surface. Foot traffic is normally fine after around six hours, vehicles after 24–48 hours depending on conditions.

Considering resin against blocks? Compare it with block paving or ask us for both prices on the same site visit.