Looking to redo your driveway? Choosing a super-strong epoxy grout can make a huge difference as it can withstand heavy loads without cracking or breaking. Explore three robust epoxy grouts for driveways and discover why permeable surfaces are a must for projects such as these.
You’re probably considering a permeable driveway because of the regulations here in the UK. These regs require any hard surfaces of 5 square metres or more in front gardens to be fully permeable. Otherwise, planning permission is required, or potentially expensive drainage features.
Benefits of epoxy grouts
If you need a grout to be durable enough for a driveway and you don’t want to seek planning permission, then you need an epoxy resin grout.
Epoxy grouts are well-known for their impressive strength. Consisting of super-strong resin adhesives, these grouts are tough enough to withstand vehicles – for some, up to 10 tonnes – without breaking under the extra pressure.
Another big bonus for homeowners, epoxy grouts are also celebrated as being incredibly low maintenance. Non-porous in nature, they are resistant to algae, mildew, stains, weeds and even fading through UV rays. Epoxy grouts simply don’t require the same level of cleaning as other grouts do.
Importantly for UK driveways, some epoxy grouts are permeable. As such, they allow rainwater to fully drain through the joints. This helps to reduce the risk of flash flooding and helps to top-up our dwindling water resources.
However, there are certain ways to install these grouts to make sure the paved driveway is 100 percent permeable. And doing so may also ensure that your project doesn’t require planning permission.
Finally, another benefit of epoxy grouts is that they are incredibly easy to install and require limited equipment. Just a broom, finishing trowel and plasterer’s whisk is often all you need for installation.
Why choose epoxy resin over other grouts?
While cement-based grouts also offer strength and durability, they do not allow water to penetrate through the joints. This means that if you’re installing a driveway or front garden patio in the UK, you may still require planning permission from your local council when using one of these grouts.
Conversely, while sand-based grouts – which are simply brushed into the joints – are fully permeable, they often fail to offer the strength needed to withstand vehicles and other heavy loads. Sand-based grouts are much more suited to pathways and backyard patios.
See our recent article about the different types of patio grouts if you’d like to find out more about all the grouting options on the table.
If robustness and permeability are key requirements for your driveway, the following three epoxy grouts are the ones to seriously consider.
#1 A heavy-duty choice: ProJoint Titan
From the team at Nexus, ProJoint Titan epoxy grout is ideal for bearing the weight of heavy vehicles. In fact, this grout can withstand up to 10 tonnes of weight without breaking or cracking.
What’s more, one 22.5kg tub of the Titan formula can cover up to a 52 metre2 area of driveway, depending on the paving slabs and joint sizes.
With this impressive coverage, you’re likely to save money by only needing a single tub for the job.
Professional strength and self-compacting, ProJoint Titan is pressure-washer safe, ensures weed-free joints and is even resistant to cold and frost without cracking or breaking.
As with each of the permeable epoxy resins we’ve reviewed in this article, Titan is incredibly easy to apply with minimal equipment needed. See the six easy application steps for a seamless driveway using ProJoint Titan.
Finally, ProJoint Titan is one of those multipurpose grouts that can be used for both permeable and impermeable projects. For permeable projects, you simply need to have installed a permeable bedding mortar below the pavers, such as PermaBed.
Pros of ProJoint Titan
- Professional strength, simple to apply
- Fully permeable when used on a permeable bedding mortar
- A 22.5kg tub covers patio areas of up to 52m2
- Made for joints from 5mm wide and 25mm deep
- Withstands up to 10 tonnes of weight
- Suitable for natural stone and concrete pavers
- Available in 3 colours: Neutral/Buff, Mid-Grey and Basalt.
Cons of ProJoint Titan
ProJoint Titan is not recommended for use with porcelain and some darker limestone patios, such as black limestone.
For porcelain, consider one of the following two permeable epoxy grouts or call our team for extra advice.
#2 The versatile choice: Joint-It Dynamic
Joint-It Dynamic is another formula with all the solid benefits of resin epoxy grouts. But there is one impressive difference: this grout’s versatility.
Dynamic by name, dynamic by nature, this epoxy resin grout can also be used with porcelain paving as well as other types of natural stone and concrete.
It can even be used to grout highly porous stones, such as slate, black limestone and honed black granite. When working with these types of porous materials, you must always pre-seal the paving first to avoid efflorescence or other stains.
Similar to ProJoint Titan, Joint-It Dynamic can be used for both permeable and impermeable patio projects. Just be sure to install the right bedding layer (permeable or impermeable) for the type of driveway you’re laying.
Another defining feature of Joint-It Dynamic is that it’s one of the only high-strength epoxy grouts available in black (alongside two other colour options of buff and grey).
Black grout can make a timeless statement for your driveway. It will blend seamlessly with black limestone or granite pavers for that complementary look. When used with lighter paving stones, black grouting can offer a striking border to emphasise and frame the patio design.
Pros of Joint-It Dynamic
- Professional strength, simple to apply – read the full guide
- Fully permeable when used on a permeable bedding mortar
- Made for joints from 5mm wide and 20mm deep
- A 22kg tub covers patio areas of up to 18m2
- Suitable for very high traffic areas
- Suitable for natural stone, concrete pavers and porcelain paving
- Available in 3 colours: Buff, Grey and Black
Cons of Joint-It Dynamic
It’s safe to say the only shortfall of Dynamic is the extent of its coverage when compared with ProJoint Titan.
Arguably, Joint-It Dynamic is still the most versatile epoxy grout around, and especially for working with those trickier paving materials like black limestone and honed black granite.
#3 The perfect all-rounder: EasyJoint Pro
Still boasting strength and durability is EasyJoint Pro. It’s another tough all-rounder epoxy resin that can be used on a wide range of pavers made from natural or manmade stone.
And, just like Joint-It Dynamic, EasyJoint Pro can also be used to grout a hard-wearing driveway made of porcelain pavers.
Armed with a mixture of coated sand and a separate activator, this grout is another quality epoxy resin that simply requires mixing before application.
Pros of EasyJoint Pro
- Extra strength and durability with a smoother finish
- Made for joints from 5mm wide and 20mm deep
- A 17kg tub covers patio areas of up to 25.9m2 (600x900mm slabs)
- Rated up to 7 tonnes in weight per square metre
- Suitable for natural stone, concrete pavers and porcelain paving
- Available in 3 colours: Mushroom, Stone Grey and Basalt
Cons of EasyJoint Pro
EasyJoint Pro is not suitable for standard block paving that is laid unbound with joints of less than 5mm in width.
When working with granite, pre-sealing pavers is always recommended.
When installing EasyJoint Pro, you must ensure that heavy rain is not forecast. While this grout can handle light rain, too much rain during installation can cause the grout to weaken and can even reduce its robustness over time.
Common questions about epoxy grouts
Is epoxy grout permeable?
While the three reviewed grouts above are permeable, not all epoxy grouts are. Always check the description to choose the most suitable grout for your project.
If the grout is permeable, a permeable bedding layer – such as Permabed – must be installed below the slabs to achieve a fully permeable driveway.
Epoxy grouts like ProJoint Titan and Joint-It Dynamic are completely versatile and can be used to point both permeable and non-permeable driveways. Professional installers can save money by buying in bulk and utilising their grout supplies for whichever type of job arises.
Is epoxy grout 100% waterproof?
Yes, epoxy grout is non-porous and 100% waterproof. Whereas cement-based grouts are porous and can sometimes attract stains, epoxy grout repels chemicals and substances, making it resistant to all types of stains.
Despite being waterproof, some epoxy grouts still allow water to freely drain through the joints. Choose a permeable epoxy grout if you are looking for an eco-friendly driveway project.
What does epoxy grout look like?
While all epoxy grouts consist of a two-part epoxy resin grout and hardener, some grouts also contain a specialist aggregate sand mix (see the image below).
For larger joint sizes, and rough paving surfaces, choose a resin grout that includes a specialist aggregate sand. ProJoint Titan, for instance, can be used with joint sizes from 5mm wide and 25mm deep.
For smoother paving slabs with narrower joints, Joint-It Porcelain Epoxy Grout offers a smoother finish. However, this grout is non-permeable.
Is epoxy grout worth the money?
While epoxy resin grout may cost a little more than a sand-based grout or cement-based formula, the extra outlay can be worth the investment.
With the epoxy grouts reviewed here, you can achieve a permeable driveway that still has the strength to withstand vehicles and all the elements that our British weather can throw at it.
Do I need to seal epoxy grout?
Epoxy grouts are naturally stain resistant and generally do not need to be sealed. They are extremely low maintenance grouts. Non-porous, they repel stains and require minimal cleaning.
You may want to seal the paving slabs for your driveway if they are made from porous materials such as concrete or certain types of natural stone.
Sealants like Joint-It Pro Seal create an invisible barrier that protects pavers from stains, general dirt, moss, lichen and algae.
Before you go...
We hope you’ve got what you needed from this review of three resin grouts for permeable driveways.
If you’ve decided on which grout to use, be sure to read the full description to make sure it’s correct for your type of project and the paving stones you’ve chosen.
Have a question? Our team of paving experts are here to help. Get in touch or add your query to the comments below.
The Paving Experts is based in the Midlands and delivers to all corners of mainland UK. We offer great discounts on bulk orders and free delivery on full pallets.
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