Frequently asked questions about resin paving
Explore whether resin paving is the surfacing solution for you! As a relatively new type of paving option, we take you through the most frequently asked questions on resin-bound paving to help you decide whether it would be a good fit for your outdoor space.
About resin-bound paving
Resin-bound paving is a fairly new and stylish paving solution for outdoor areas. Sometimes referred to as a ‘stone carpet’, resin paving contains a mixture of aggregate, resin and hardener, which are all combined together to create a smooth, flat paving surface.
A few benefits of resin-bound paving include:
- Aesthetically pleasing, with many aggregate options
- An affordable paving solution, costing under £50 per square metre
- No expensive or specialist equipment required
- Hard-wearing and long-lasting (Vuba’s DIY kits can last up to 25 years)
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- Fully permeable when laid on a permeable bed
Explore the full benefits of resin-bound paving and see examples of what can be achieved with no specialist landscaping tools and within a short space of time.
Quality resin surfacing materials can be durable and hard-wearing enough to last for 20 years. Always choose quality materials for the job that will stand the test of time.
For example, established manufacturer Vuba has been developing and enhancing their resin-bound formula for many years. Today, they offer a 15-year warranty on their products but say their resin paving solutions can be expected to last between 20 and 25 years.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Resin paving can be used for most types of outdoor surfaces and is ideal as a stylish solution for back gardens, patios and paths. It can also be used for resurfacing driveways and adding a smart, low maintenance look to commercial areas.
One draw-back is that resin surfaces are not designed for heavy vehicle traffic. If you expect lots of traffic to be turning or reversing on a driveway, it may be wise to consider another solution.
DIY resin-bound kits can be used for patios, paths and paved areas that don’t receive vehicle traffic. If you want to install a resin-bound driveway, contact our team for advice on the best solution on 0330 122 1025.
Yes, some resin-bound surfaces are fully permeable, allowing water to freely drain through.
For example, Vuba’s DIY kits are 100% permeable and recognised as a sustainable drainage system (SUDS). In fact, when installed on top of a permeable base, each square metre of this system allows 850 litres of surface water to drain through.
When you install a fully permeable paved area at home, no planning permission is required and no time-consuming underground drainage systems are needed.
See the common installation questions below for details on how to lay a permeable base.
Resin paving is extremely eco-friendly.
In most cases, resin binders are made from environmentally friendly materials. What’s more, as many resin-based products cure fairly quickly, there is little to no risk at all of the resin escaping and polluting nearby watercourses – or even an adjacent garden bed.
Another eco-friendly benefit of resin paving is its permeability. When laid on a permeable bed it allows water to flow through and naturally top-up the water table, reducing the strain on our storm and sewage drainage systems.
It depends on the resin surface you choose. Vuba’s resin paving is naturally non-slip in dry conditions.
Paving can become a slip hazard through moss or algae growth on the surface. As Vuba’s resin surfaces are completely permeable, water doesn’t sit on the top and so no moss or algae will grow.
Common installation questions
It really depends on your paving project.
Do-it-yourself resin kits are available that make it easy to install a domestic patio or path. They are available by the square metre and require no specialist landscaping equipment, apart from a paddle mixer large drill.
Take a look at our article on how to install resin paving to see whether you’d be willing to do the job yourself.
If you want to install a resin driveway, you’ll most likely need to hire a specialist to ensure it is installed correctly. Get in touch with our team for more information and tailored advice.
One of the many advantages of resin paving is that it can be installed on top of an existing area of asphalt or paved concrete.
However, the concrete or asphalt base must be solid, load-bearing and not susceptible to cracking. If there are cracks and joints, they may need to be repaired first.
Please note: if you want a fully permeable paving system, you will need to install a permeable base. Remove the existing concrete or asphalt and replace it with open-grade asphalt. Alternatively, a great option is to use a cellular paving system as the base, filled and compacted with MOT.
For a fully permeable system that requires no planning permission, you must install the resin paving on top of a permeable base.
If there is an existing paved surface – such as concrete or asphalt – you will need to remove this and replace it with either:
- Open-grade asphalt
- A cellular paving system, like VubaGrid, filled and compacted with MOT.
When installing resin-bound paving, you must choose a dry day and preferably with mild temperatures between 5ºC and 25ºC. Always check to ensure no rain is forecast as this could compromise the formula.
Keep in mind that ground temperature differs from the outdoor temperature. If it is close to 5ºC, the ground temperature may be colder than this. Likewise, on hot days the ground is likely to be much warmer than a thermometer reading.
For a perfect, seamless finish, you’ll need to install all of the resin paving from start to finish.
If you are working with 1m2 resin kits, mix and install one kit, then install the adjacent kit, and so on.
Resin-bound paving can take between 24 and 48 hours for the initial cure, until it is safe to walk on the area. Curing time depends on the temperature – in summer it may be 24 hours; in winter it could stretch to 48 hours.
The full cure can take up to 14 days. Although you can walk on the surface during this time, we don’t recommend placing furniture or other heavy items on it during this window.
Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for advice on curing times.
Maintenance advice for resin paving
As they contain encapsulated stones, resin surfaces hold a lot less dirt than porous block paving or concrete. This makes resin paving much easier to clean.
Simply use a jet wash to clean resin-bound paving. If you’ve installed a permeable base, the water will quickly drain away.
Problems with weeds rarely occur with resin paving. Different to more traditional paving solutions, resin paving does not feature any joints between paving slabs – the places where weeds are likely to grow. Plus, as resin-bound surfaces are completely permeable, moss and algae growth is extremely unlikely.
However, should any weeds pop up through a resin surface they can be easily washed away with a jet wash.
To avoid fading, we recommend carefully choosing your products to ensure the resin is stable to ultraviolet rays.
Vuba’s resin-bound paving is UV stable and resistant to fading, which prolongs the aesthetic appeal of your paved area. Aggregates are either mixtures of quartz, marble or granite and 14 colour options are available.
Get in touch if you have other questions
At The Paving Experts we’re here to help you choose the best surfacing solution for your project.
Just drop us a line on 0330 122 1025 or send us an email if you want to discuss resin-bound surfaces, or other paving solutions, with a member of our team.
