Resin driveways are currently popular among homeowners. Why? Because resin is a great, fast, sleek, and quick way to resurface an old driveway.
A resin driveway is contemporary, quick to install, hardwearing, eco-friendly, low-maintenance, weed-resistant and non-slip. It’s also easy to customise to suit your taste and aesthetics.
The average resin driveway costs £1,400 to £8,500. However, this depends on the resin type, the groundwork required and the size of the driveway. There might also be additional costs. For example, you may want to add drainage and edgings.
Obviously, these will affect costs. In simple terms, prices will vary. So, keep reading to learn more about resin driveway costs.
Types of Resin Driveways
There are two types of resin driveways. Here is a brief description of each and their differences.
Resin bound driveways
A resin-bound driveway is created by applying resin and aggregate as a compound instead of separately. Resin and aggregate are mixed. The compound created is then applied to the driveway.
The resulting resin driveway has a smooth and compact finish. There are no loose stones and the driveway is less likely to crack. A resin-bound driveway is also permeable. So, you don’t need to build a drainage system.
Water will drain through the driveway. It won’t pool or form puddles on it. This is why resin-bound driveways are so easy to maintain, long-lasting, weed-resistant and moss-resistant.
This permeability also means that resin-bound driveways are compliant with SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems). So you don’t need planning permission.
Resin-bound driveways cost more than resin-bonded ones. Despite this, they (resin-bound driveways) are the best and most popular choice.
Resin bonded driveways
With a resin-bonded driveway, resin and aggregate are applied separately as two different layers. Resin is applied first. Then, aggregate is installed on it.
This type of resin driveway is more textured and loose. It also breaks down more easily. Expect aggregates to come loose once in a while. The resin will also crack over time.
A resin-bonded driveway is also non-permeable. Rain water can’t drain through. There will be pools and poodles, allowing moss and weeds to thrive. So, a resin-bonded driveway needs a drainage system. It also requires planning permission.
Resin-bonded driveways are cheaper. However, they are also less durable and higher maintenance. Therefore, they are not as popular as resin-bound driveways.
Factors That Influence Resin Driveway Costs
Here are the factors that determine the cost of a resin driveway. They are three in total.
Driveway Size and shape
Resin driveway cost per m² is £70 to £100. Use that to calculate how much your resin driveway will cost. A bigger resin driveway will cost more. It will use up more supplies and work hours. Therefore, it will cost more.
There is a caveat, though. Cost per m² is sometimes lower for larger driveways. It’s simple economics of scale. With a bigger resin driveway, you often get better deals and value for money.
Driveway shape is also important. Resin driveways are highly versatile and customisable. However, this will affect cost. Expect a complexly shaped and patterned resin driveway to cost more than a simple rectangular one.
The amount of groundwork needed
The cost is lower if you are resurfacing an existing driveway. You still have to do some repairs, which will cost money. However, the project will still be cheaper because you don’t need to remove the existing driveway or install a new sub-base.
A new sub-base can set you back by £100 to £150 per m². It costs £1,000 to £2,000 to remove an old driveway. So, it’s cheaper to install the resin over your existing driveway. Only do this if the old driveway is in good condition. You should also prep the surface before laying the resin.
There are other caveats as well. You need a drainage system if installing resin on concrete. Concrete is non-permeable. So, rainwater can’t drain through. Asphalt, tarmac and pavers are the exact opposite. They are permeable. So, your resin driveway doesn’t need a drainage system.
Either way, the amount of groundwork needed affects resin driveway costs.
Resin type
Resin type is also important. As you already know, resin-bound driveways cost more than their resin-bonded counterparts. The former are also more popular and better.
Sometimes, a resin-bound driveway could even be cheaper. This is because resin-bonded driveways need drainage, which could cost up to £1,000. Therefore, if you don’t already have a drainage system, a resin-bonded driveway could cost more.
Another thing to consider is whether the resin is UV-resistant or non-UV-resistant. UV-resistant resin doesn’t fade under sunlight. So, it’s the better choice for driveways.
A UV-resistant resin driveway costs more than a non-UV-resistant one. However, you won’t have to worry about discolouration between shaded and unshaded areas.
How Much Does a Resin Driveway Cost per M²?
| Resin driveway size | Cost per m² | Total cost |
| 20m² | £70 – £100 | £1,400-£2,000 |
| 50m² | £70 – £90 | £3,500-£5,000 |
| 100m² | £70 – £85 | £7,000-£8,500 |
The average resin driveway costs £70 to £100 per m². The cost per m² is sometimes lower with larger driveways. A 20m² driveway is only big enough for one car. The 50m² and 100m² driveways will contain two or four vehicles, respectively.
Supplies account for 50% of the cost of a resin driveway. Labour takes up 40% while the remaining 10% goes to waste disposal. Professional resin driveway installers charge £150 to £200 per day.
Either way, these estimates should cover the main tasks. This includes preparing the surface, laying the resin and disposing of waste. Additional tasks like driveway removal, sub-base installation, drainage, and edging are not included. We will discuss them in the next section.
The Additional Costs of a Resin Driveway
| Item | Cost |
| Edging | £7-£45 |
| Driveway removal | £1,000-£2,000 |
| Drainage | £200-£1,000 |
| Landscaping | £250-£700 |
Edging
Edging protects and keeps driveways compact. This prolongs the lifespan of your resin driveway. Edgings also add aesthetic value. Options include aluminium, stone, brick and timber edging. Obviously, your choice of edging will affect resin driveway costs. You can also use the edging of your old driveway.
Driveway removal
We discussed this earlier. You might have to remove your old driveway. This is not always the case. However, it does happen, and your decision will influence resin driveway costs.
Driveway removal involves excavation and waste disposal. Depending on the size and type of the driveway, £1,000 to £2000 should be enough.
Drainage
Drainage prevents water pooling and erosion. It protects the driveway from weeds and mould growth. Overall, it helps a driveway last longer.
A resin-bound driveway doesn’t need drainage. So you won’t have to worry about this additional cost. Besides, your old driveway probably has a drainage system.
Still, we should talk about drainage systems. They affect the health, durability and cost of a resin driveway. There are lots of options, including aco drains, channels and manholes.
Landscaping
Now is a great time to do landscaping work on your lawn. You need a freshly manicured lawn to stand toe to toe with your sleek new resin driveway. It further increases the kerb appeal of your property.
The cost will depend on the extent of the job. You have to hire a different professional, a landscape gardener.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Resin Driveway?
| Resin driveway size | Timeframe |
| 20m² | 1-5 days |
| 50m² | 3-12 days |
| 100m² | 5-20 days |
It depends on the driveway’s size and the amount of groundwork required. The table above has some good estimates. Here is a breakdown. It takes about a day to apply resin to a surface of 20m². Then, you must wait one or two days for the resin to dry and cure. You also need one to two days to prep or remove the old driveway. That’s 1-5 days for a resin driveway of 20m².
Conclusion
So, how much is a resin driveway? Well, it depends on groundwork requirements and the type and size of the resin driveway. A resin driveway costs £70 to £100 per m². So, the average cost is around £1,400 to £8,500.
We recommend getting a resin-bound driveway. It’s costlier but also more popular, low maintenance, durable and beneficial than a resin-bonded driveway. Plus, a resin-bound driveway is SUDS-compliant and doesn’t need planning permission.
You can trust the prices in this article. However, there will be variations depending on your location and installer. Prices are usually higher in big cities. Some installers may also charge higher rates.
So compare rates, but focus on finding a reliable resin driveway installer. This is more important than low prices because resin installation is complicated. It takes skill and experience. So, you shouldn’t even try to DIY a resin driveway.
FAQ
How long does a resin driveway last?
A well-maintained resin driveway will last for up to 25 years. Maintenance is also easy. You just have to sweep and remove debris regularly.
What are some alternatives to resin driveways?
Alternatives include tarmac, brick, gravel, block paving and concrete. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. So, do more research before making your decision.
