Resin Bonded Gravel Driveway *very dull content*

It’s time to replace the ageing, knackered eyesore that is my driveway. Dont want flags, block paving abit pricey and Ive seen too many faded imprinted concrete jpbbies to put me off so I am considering resin bonded stone. Been quoted 2.5k for 48 sq metres by a guy with a good reputation. Any horror stories, info on life expectancy or alternatives appreciated.

Ta

Thinking about getting a driveway put in and interested to hear how you get on with this stuff. Was going to go block paving but this sounds like interesting stuff.

It’s rare that I see resin bonded gravel that has been put down properly or lasts very long. You could opt for resin bound gravel which is harder wearing but more pricey.

If you do go for bonded gravel ensure that it is put down in good dry weather and the contractor cleans the surface properly. They also need to clear away unbonded stones when it’s complete as this can cause premature wear.

Don’t have any personal experience of this, but what always strikes me is what happens if you need to dig up a section to repair drains or cables? would it be possible to ‘patch up’ with out making a mess?

How does it take the weight of heavy vehicles? might not be an issue to you now but it might be in the future.

just things to think about 🙂

You can patch repair (and it looks much better than repairs in tarmac or concrete). People spec the stuff as suitable for trafficked areas, but I’ve never been entirely convinced.

It’s rare that I see resin bonded gravel that has been put down properly or lasts very long. You could opt for resin bound gravel which is harder wearing but more pricey.

My mistake, just checked the written quote and it is actually resin bound not bonded.

Like this

Is that resin bound?
I thought ‘bound’ was the one where the gravel is mixed with the resin and then laid, while ‘bonded’ is where the resin is put on the drive and then the gravel spread on top, some will stick to the resin but some does not and is removed after it’s dried.
I might be wrong though.
Anyway, I thought about this becuase it looks great when new, but a guy who does building work for us has said that he’s seen a number of cases where resin bonded was was laid under trees. After a couple of years the fallen leaves etc had rotted and the drive was full of black stuff that couldn’t be removed.
We have a hedge along the drive so didn’t take the risk – plus it was too much money 🙁
Looks nice though.

its all about hte driveway foundation.

if he only puts 50mm type 1 sub base and 30mm gravel on a soft formation then it will fail quickly and look crud.

Yes it is definitely bound, not bonded. You’re right, the resin bound is mixed first then hand laid, which is what I’m after. The bloke that’s quoted me has laid it indoors in commercial premises too (swimming pools and the like and you wouldnt want loose gravel there!)

we have that were i live, its amazing stuff. I recon you want to make sure the guy knows what hes up to though, looks like some thing you could really **** up bad

Is this hard to do as a DIY job, or do you need specialist equipment?

I will probably give resin bonded a go DIY, I have approx 100m2 to cover & need to keep the price down plus the resin bonded is only a few mm on my existing surface whilst resin bound is laid like a screed & more like 20mm thick. As I haven’t had a go yet I can’t tell you much but this site appears to be informative.

Resin Bound is both visually nice and can be very hard wearing. As mentioned above, its the sub base that give it it strength. We put a load down in the Parkland at Liverpool 1, just infront of the Hilton Hotel without any issues and that takes the occasional coach over it. The proper sub base is a course Dense Bitumen Macadam. This, for domestic applications, usually makes RBG on uneconomic solution.

Your best bet would be to speak to the manufacturers. They will give you a list of approved installers, but there is also no reason why you couldn’t do it yourself. All you need is a forced action mixer which you can hire from most hire shops. Be prepared though, that once it goes off, you cant get it back, so you need to get it down and towelled pretty quick.

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