Resin Driveway Cost and Price Guide | Resin Driveway Installation Costs in the UK

Resin Driveway Price Summary

Price range = £40 to £70 per square meter

Average cost = £55 per square meter

Cheapest price = £40 per square meter

However, resin driveways also have more than their fair share of advantages. Resin is permeable, allowing more sustainable urban drainage than options like gravel or Tarmac. It is also smooth and easy for homeowners to maintain.

Naturally there are drawbacks, though most of these are exclusive to cheaper resin driveway options. Resin bonded surfacing, for example, is prone to falling apart over time, while non-UV stable resin will eventually start to turn yellow. In other words, there are plenty of false economies to watch out for!

As long as you think long term and are willing to pay a little extra, your resin driveway should last for years to come! Let’s take a look at what you can expect to pay for a resin driveway and why.

What Does The Price Depend On?

• Area size and layout – It should go without saying that larger driveway installation projects cost more in terms of labour and materials. It is also important to keep in mind that awkwardly shaped or barely accessible driveways will be more difficult to install and will be more expensive as a result.

• Size and depth of aggregate – Resin driveways are made up of tiny pieces of stone which tend to range in size between 1mm and 10mm. However, keep in mind that larger aggregates require greater depth to install. A general rule of thumb is that resin driveways will require a depth three times the size of their stones. You could even choose varying sizes to give your driveway more of a textured finish.

• Current driveway – One of the main advantages of resin driveways is that they can often be installed over an existing surface. If you have tarmac or concrete in place, then you could be in luck, provided it is in a good condition. The opposite is true for grass or stone, however. First, your driveway will need to be excavated. A compacted stone base will then need to be installed, followed by porous asphalt. This stage can be just as expensive as installing the resin layer itself!

• UV stable or non-UV stable – You might not think of a driveway as being an aesthetic feature, but with the sheer variety of natural stone available in the UK, resin driveways can be just that! However, non-UV stable stones will lose their colour and start to turn yellow over the years. UV stable stones may thus seem like an obvious choice, but they tend to cost around 50% more.

• Edging – Loose stone can come apart from a resin driveway over time, gradually spoiling its shape. You can avoid this by adding edging. Standard choices include bricks, paving slabs and even wood.

• Time of year – When you install a resin driveway, it needs to be dry at the right pace. During summer resin can dry too quickly, while wet winter weather can slow it down. Aim for autumn or spring if possible, but keep in mind that a sudden change in weather could cause delays and make your project cost more.

• Resin bound and resin bonded – Resin bound paving involves creating a mixture of resin and stone, then trowelling it into place by hand. In contrast, installing a resin bonded driveway will require you to spread resin over an existing or newly laid base, then scatter loose gravel or stone on top. Another layer of resin will then need to be laid to bond the stone in place. The latter option is thinner and cheaper, but far more prone to cracking and peeling over time. It can also require you to add more drainage in order to avoid puddles.

Average Cost For A Resin Driveway

As with most driveway projects, it is important to keep in mind that ‘average’ costs only go so far. Factors like shape, access and the choice of bonded or bound resin will all contribute to the price.

Your new driveway will last several years, so long term thinking is key. It is usually worth spending a little extra in order to have a driveway that will keep its shape and require next to no maintenance.

It will also be worth your time to look at examples of resin driveways online. Websites like Pinterest have allowed homeowners and tradies to share details of their projects with ease. As well as incredibly artistic driveways, you may find options for cheaper locally sourced stones.

As always, be sure to collect quotes from several driveway specialists before deciding on who to hire. This will give you a clear idea of the average cost for a resin driveway. Be sure to ask your candidates about what kind of discounts they can get from local stores, as a particularly well connected tradie could save you a great deal of money on materials. You should also take the time to read reviews from each candidate’s previous customers. If they have done solid work in the past, you should be able to trust them with your own project.