Guide to understanding Resin Bound Permeable Driveways

Home driveways are an integral part of our homes. It is the first thing people see when they see you at home —a first impression that can tell your visitors a lot about your personality even before they enter your house. Because first impressions can have significant effects, you should pay as much attention as you can to your driveway. Ideally, your driveway should look clean and in the best condition. Types of driveways you can have at your home include the Resin Bound Permeable Driveway, Grass Surface, Loose Gravel, and Plastic Grid driveways. 

All of the driveways mentioned above are Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) compliant, meaning they help reduce flooding, protect infrastructure and protect water quality. We've only listed types of driveways that are friendly to the environment because they give the best value for money. They all reduce the amount of water that enters drainage systems but promote water soaking back into the earth, which can then be collected in porous surfaces like ponds. Yet, among all these environmentally friendly driveways, Resin Bound Permeable Driveways are the best. Aside from being environmentally friendly, they come with numerous other benefits. Let us discuss Resin Bonded Driveways in a little more detail.

What is a Resin Bound Permeable Driveway?

Resin bonded driveways are beautiful and permeable driveways that consist of a clear resin used to bind gravel and other aggregates together. They are easy to install driveways that allow water to drain naturally. Components of a Resin Driveway include a sub-base, a base, and a resin surface.

The sub-base material depends on traffic volume on the driveway and the anticipated load it will carry. These materials can be macadam, concrete, or tarmac. The base is the layer atop the sub-base layer, while the resin surface is the uppermost layer of the pavement. A high-quality resin is used to "glue" aesthetic gravel or fine aggregate to a firm base (usually macadam or concrete) or bind together selected aggregates before laying over a surface or sub-base. These materials are hard-wearing, low maintenance, and ultraviolet (UV) stable. Resin Bound permeable driveways do not discolor from the sun's ultraviolet rays' impact because of the UV stable resins used. Also, because they are SUDS-compliant, homes with Resin Bound Permeable Driveways do not face the problems of puddles, standing water, or flooding because the driveway allows water to pass freely through the surface.

Resin Bonded Driveways are quick and easy to install. The smooth resin bonded surface is dry and usable within a couple of hours after installation. Here are some other benefits of having resin paving for your home.

Benefits of Residential Resin Bound Driveways

No issues with regulatory authorities

Because resin bonded driveways are SUD compliant, you will not run into issues with environmental regulatory bodies and town planning authorities when installing one at your residence. Usually, SUD compliant installations do not require prior approval for installation.

Product Longevity

Resin-bound driveway surfaces are robust, durable, and resistant to all weather conditions. Unlike non-resin-bound surfaces like asphalt, which freeze during cold seasons and soften when temperatures rise, resin-bound driveways are much more stable in extreme temperatures (whether hot or cold) and resistant to damage from the sun's UV rays.

Sustainable drainage system

Resin-bound driveways have a permeable sub-base. They're designed and installed to allow rainwater to collect through the resin-bound surface to the ground beneath. This sustainable drainage system prevents water run-off, pooling, and flooding, making it perfectly safe for the environment.

Easy Installation

Resin-bound driveways are so easy to install that people with small driveways can easily do the installation themselves in a few hours. It is easy to use resin driveway installation kits on the market to apply resin paving installation seamlessly and cost-effectively. The only requirement to do this effectively is to select the correct resin driveway kits in the market. Such kits are designed to ensure excellent results and do not depend on a person's installation skill. However, if you have a large driveway, it's advisable to reach out to an expert to avoid cracks and an uneven driveway.

Low Maintenance

Resin-bound surfaces are easy to clean and do not require much time devoted to maintenance. You do not have to worry about replacing it anytime sooner, and you will get the best value for your money with the right brand and installation contractor.

Unlike block paved driveways, Resin Bound Driveways are resistant to weeds because the bound gravels stay together and get located in the same place. Lack of weeds significantly reduces maintenance efforts like those required for standard block-paved driveways, which tend to grow weeds in cracks and underneath the surface that can be difficult to remove.

Liberty to play around with colors

You have a wide array of color options for your resin bonded driveways. You can even choose a color that complements the painting on the exterior of your home. The smoothness of resin driveways makes homes look posh. This smoothness can last for years and does not fade from the impact of extreme weather conditions. The liberty to play with shapes and colors is a clear advantage over block paved driveways.

Flexibility in design

Resin Bound surfaces allow for any imaginable shape. You can leverage this flexibility to shape your driveway as you desire. Combining this feature with the flexibility in color options can help your driveway evoke a stunning aesthetic appeal that a block-paved pathway cannot produce.

Increased value for your home

The aesthetic effects of a resin driveway will not only make you love your home more and wow your visitors but will also increase the value of your house in case you put it up for sale.

How to Install

Before you install your driveway, there are a few considerations to make and a few things you must note:

• You have to figure out what you will be using the driveway for and the best thickness fora driveway that supports those activities. You also have to determine the area the driveway will cover. Knowing your driveway measurements will help you get a rough estimate of the materials you would need and estimate the project's total cost. Getting the correct quantity of aggregates will prevent waste of materials. It will also help avoid shortage as you might not have time to buy more materials when you are busily working.
• For your driveway design, choose resin pavers that will match your property and complement your home's external ambiance.
• Before the application, you need to clean, prime and dry all surfaces to eliminate water contamination. Ensure that all aggregates and resin products to be used for coating have a temperature not lower than three degrees Celsius, above dew point to prevent delamination caused by condensation or surface foaming of the bound system.
• Ensure that the sub-base contains about 150mm of MOT Type 3(crushed granite). Roll it on the surface using a vibrating roller to ensure a solid and stable installation.
• With the aid of edging tape, ensure that all edges of your work area have been protected with tape to avoid resin staining or tampering by passersby.
• Note that mixing is done away from the work area and only brought to the area after mixing.

Mixing the resin

Make sure to always mix the resin (preferably a polyurethane resin) in the container on a protective surface like a plasterer's board to prevent splashes. 

First, divide the resin into two parts, A and B. Mix the part A component of the polyurethane resin for 10-20 seconds at a slow speed with the aid of a high-torque, helical bladed mixer. Ensure the resin container is secure before you start mixing. For instance, you could place the resin container between your feet to stabilize it.

Add an accelerator at this stage if necessary. Add Part B component of the polyurethane resin and mix thoroughly at a slow speed for 2 minutes until it is uniform.

Changing the curing speed

Allow the surface to cure for about 4 hours at 20°C (or longer if the ensuing temperature is low). You can add an accelerator/catalyst if you want to maintain curing speed. If you anticipate curing will occur overnight, then that won't be necessary as you can work at a temperature below 15°C. Apply your accelerator with each mix to ensure there is uniformity of curing —the only exception is during higher consistent temperatures of 25°C.

How to add the accelerator (catalyst) 

The accelerator is added to part A. Use the syringe, which comes with the resin package to dispense the accelerator into the Part A component. Mix for approximately 15-20 seconds before adding the Part B component.

Mix the resin, sand, and the dried aggregates

Mixing should be done with a mixer, ensuring that the sand has been distributed evenly in the mix. Try to keep aggregates under a shade and at the same time for every mix. Now you can empty the mixture into your plastic-lined wheelbarrow. Make sure to clean the forced action mixer after use to avoid contamination.

Transferring the mixed material to the work area

Take the resin and aggregate mix over to the troweller's work station. Ensure that the compound is spread as evenly as possible. Tip manageable material as too much material means more trowelling and working on the mix. After a while of trowelling, look back at the surface that has already been trowelled. Check for discrepancies at every possible angle of your installation. Marks and anomalies can be easily fixed at this stage, but not later on after the mix has cured.

Trowel the material

You need to mark out the laying route and grid the area out in squares with chalk. Now lay batons to indicate where the luter should tip the mix. 

Even out the mix further before trowelling. The trowel must be cleaned thoroughly with white spirit before trowelling and regularly throughout the trowelling process as a dirty trowel will become sticky and drags aggregates out of place. Pack aggregates into every edge to ensure there are no gaps. 

You can now knit the mix together, making sure the aggregates form a closely compacted, level surface. Prevent the trowel from digging into the mix with the trowel. Raise the edge of the trowel slightly away from the stroke and apply consistent pressure to achieve this. As few strokes as possible, trowel the mix until the aggregates stop moving in a fluid movement and become stable.

Once leveled and compacted, you can polish the resin-bound surface to give it an eye-catching luster on its surface. Leave the edge of each trowelled section rough and unworked so the next batch of aggregate can smoothly and easily blend into it. Once completed, mark the area clearly with cones and tape to prevent anybody from accidentally walking on the surface before it dries up. Your finished resin driveway surface should be level, smooth, and look fantastic.

Alternatively, if you do not want to take chances by doing the installation yourself, you can hire the services of a professional resin driveway installer to help you out. In this case, all you would need to do is to get your area marked out and measured, choose your preferred colors, and then give the details to a professional installer to give your driveway a facelift.

Conclusion

A resin-bonded drive gives your home a luxurious feel that requires less maintenance and will not diminish over time or require topping. It is strong and sturdy and offers a plastic grid gravel system's neatness without the unsightly plastic webbing. Installing resin bonded driveways would boost your home's durability and add an aesthetic feature that is environmentally friendly. This factor is an added advantage for homeowners who are conscious of the safety of the environment. 

If you do not already have a resin driveway installed, now would be a great time to do so.