What are the best materials for a Resin Bound driveway?

Resin Bound driveways are becoming the go to choice in the United Kingdom. Year after year, the popularity of resin bound has grown massively as residential and commercial customers increasingly opt for the unmatchable benefits of Resin Bound Surfacing. 

Resin Bound surfaces are as beautiful as they are practical and their SUDS compliance and permeability (meaning they do not require planning permission) are key reasons customers choose them over more traditional surfacing solutions such as tarmac or concrete. 

Landscapers, specifiers, builders and surfacing contractors have recognised the sales opportunity that resin bound presents, but to maintain high installation standards and ensure a successful resin bound installation, it is essential high-quality materials and suitable equipment are used together with the recommended installation methods. 

The Right Materials for Installing Resin Driveways

Resin driveway supplies vary considerably in quality and it is important that the materials used are sourced from a trusted and reputable manufacturer. An installation that does not use high-quality resin or aggregate is more likely to fail which can prove to be a costly mistake. 

Choosing the Best Resin for Resin Bound Driveways

The resin used for Resin Bound Surfacing is a specially formulated polyurethane resin. 

As the resin bound market has grown, the number of resin suppliers has increased and resin supplies of varying quality and reliability are available. To achieve a beautiful, durable and consistent resin bound surface, it is important that a high-quality resin is used. 

There are two types of resin available: UV-resistant and Non-UV-resistant. The benefits of using UV resistant resin include: 

• The effect of natural light on the colour of the surface is greatly reduced and fades evenly. 
• UV systems are more flexible and are less prone to cracking. 
• UVR resin is easier to trowel and more tolerant of different conditions. 
• UVR resin provides more protection if rain occurs once laid.

DALTEX UVR Resin is manufactured specifically for Resin Bound surfacing. It is a solvent-free, two-part kit developed for creating high-quality, UV-resistant exterior surfaces. 

Non-uv kits are also available however we only recommend using them with certain aggregate colours as the colour of the surface with non-uv risks darkening and changing colour over time. 

The DALTEX Bespoke Blends that carry the least risk of discolour are:

• Cappuccino
• Arcadia
• Sunset
• Rose Garden
• Brindle
• Sienna 

What are the Best Aggregates for Resin Bound

The aggregates used as part of a resin driveway installation heavily impact the finished appearance and it is very important that high-quality aggregates sourced from a reputable manufacturer are used. 

When choosing the ideal Resin Bound aggregate, there are a few important considerations: 

• Aggregates must be clean. 
• Aggregates must be dry.
• Aggregates must be dust free.
• Aggregates must be stored in strong, quality packaging. 
• To ensure product consistency, aggregates should be prepared in large production runs.

There should be a wide choice of gravel colours to ensure the colour your customers want is available. Resin Bound surfaces offer unrivalled design flexibility and different colours can be combined to create unique shapes, logos or contrasting borders. 

DALTEX Dried Aggregates for Resin Driveways

DALTEX dried aggregates are sourced worldwide and produced and graded specifically for Resin Bound surfaces. The extensive range of attractive DALTEX aggregates is the most widely used in the industry due to their quality and consistency. 

For more information, read our blog on all you need to know about resin bound aggregates.

Resin Bound Systems for Resin Driveways

The DALTEX UVR System is a Resin Bound surfacing system compromised of a two-part polyurethane binder and a range of gravel aggregates (typically 1-3mm & 2-5mm), plus C52 sand and the recommended mix design includes: 

• DALTEX UVR 7.5kg Resin 
• 75kg (3 bags) of 2-5mm DALTEX dried aggregates 
• 25kg (1 bag) of 1-3mm DALTEX dried aggregates
• 6.25kg (1/4 bag) of C52 sand

Total 106.15kg - 7.05% of resin 

We recommend Resin Bound surfaces are installed to a minimum depth of 18mm. 

Equipment for Resin Driveway Installations

Before laying a Resin Bound driveway, it is important to ensure you all of the correct equipment and resin bound tools. Using the wrong equipment may cause problems during installation which can result in a costly relay if the surface fails. For example, a cement mixer is not suitable for mixing dried aggregates and resin, a forced action mixer should be used to produce a consistent mix. 

Our detailed Resin Bound equipment checklist goes through everything you will need for a successful installation.

More Information and Resin Bound Training

We hope that the above blog has provided the information you need and showcased the best materials needed for the perfect Resin Bound Driveway installation. 

If you would like to learn more about Resin Bound or are considering becoming a resin driveway installer, we provide a free online Resin Bound Training Course which provides clear step-by-step instructions on how to lay a resin bound surface. 

With over 35 years of experience, DALTEX is the No.1 brand in Resin Bound in the UK. Our in-house team of experts are always happy to answer any questions about Resin Bound surfacing, so call today on 01629 636 500.