A resin driveway is natural stone aggregate mixed with a clear resin and trowelled flat, usually 15–18mm thick. It gives a smooth, even finish with no loose stones, and when it is laid as resin-bound it lets water drain straight through. It can go down on a brand-new base or, in many cases, straight over an existing tarmac or concrete drive that is still sound.
Tell us the size, what is there now and its condition, and you get an indicative price range straight away. We pass your enquiry to one local specialist, who confirms a fixed price.
What it costs
| Job | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Resin-bound on a new base, per m² | £75–£115 |
| Resin-bound over sound tarmac or concrete, per m² | £55–£80 |
| Digging out a lawn for a new base, per m² | £10–£18 |
| Edgings, per metre | £25–£45 |
| Two-car drive over sound tarmac (about 30m²) | £2,200–£3,390 |
| Two-car drive on grass, new base (about 30m²) | £3,100–£4,980 |
An overlay starts at around £1,500, and a new-build resin drive from about £1,660. For a line-by-line comparison with block paving, see block paving vs resin cost. The driveway cost per m² guide compares every surface.
Resin-bound or resin-bonded
The names are close, the results are not.
- Resin-bound mixes the stone and resin together before it is laid, then trowels it into a solid, porous layer. The surface is smooth and water passes through the gaps between the stones. This is what most people mean by a resin driveway and what we price.
- Resin-bonded spreads resin on the base and scatters stone on top. It looks like gravel stuck down, with a rougher texture. It is not permeable, and loose stones can come away over time.
If a quote just says "resin", ask which one. Only resin-bound on a permeable base counts as a permeable surface for the front-garden rule.
Overlay or new base
Overlay. If your existing tarmac or concrete drive is level, well drained and free of deep cracks, sinking or soft patches, resin-bound can go straight on top. The old surface is cleaned, cracks are repaired, a primer is applied, and edges are finished with a trim or border. This is the cheapest way to a new-looking drive, at £55–£80 per m².
The catch: resin reflects whatever is underneath. If the old drive is moving, the cracks come through within a year or two. An overlay on tarmac or concrete is also only as permeable as the drive beneath it, so at the front it may still need drainage.
New base. Where the old surface is broken, the drive is on soil, or you want full permeability, the area is dug out and a new base laid: compacted stone, then either porous asphalt or a no-fines concrete base, then the resin. This costs £75–£115 per m² plus the digging out and edgings.
The specialist will judge which applies from your photos, or at a visit if in doubt. Photos of any cracks, with a coin for scale, help.
What the job involves
- Preparation. Either repairing and priming the old drive, or digging out and laying a new base with falls away from the house.
- Edges. Aluminium or steel trims, block borders or kerbs hold the resin in and give a clean line.
- Mixing and laying. Resin and dried aggregate are mixed in small batches and trowelled to an even depth. A drive is laid in one go to avoid visible joins.
- Curing. You can usually walk on it within hours and drive on it after a day or two, depending on temperature.
Resin cannot be laid in rain or on a damp base, so dates can move in wet weather.
What affects the price
- Condition of the existing drive. Sound enough to overlay, or not.
- Area and shape. More edge per square metre means more trim and more cutting in.
- Aggregate. Standard blends are cheapest; some natural stones and UV-stable resins cost more.
- Access. No room for a mixer and barrows near the drive, or working through the house, adds about 15–20%.
- Drainage and a dropped kerb. Priced separately where needed. See drainage and soakaways and dropped kerbs.
Local specialists cover Sutton Coldfield, North Birmingham, Solihull, South Birmingham, Edgbaston and Harborne, Lichfield and Tamworth, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Stourbridge and Coventry.
What to photograph for a quote
Good photos mean a closer price, and a shorter visit to measure up. How to measure.
- The whole fence line or area, end to end, standing back as far as you can
- From above if you can: an upstairs window shows the size and levels best
- The way in from the road: the drive, side gate, steps and where a lorry could park
Questions about resin driveways
Is a resin driveway permeable?
Resin-bound is permeable when laid on a permeable base, which means it meets the front-garden 5m² rule without extra drainage. Resin laid over existing tarmac or concrete is only as permeable as the drive underneath. Our 5m² rule guide explains the rule.
Can resin go over my existing block paving?
Generally no. Block paving flexes slightly and the joints move, which cracks resin. Block drives are normally lifted and a new base laid, or cleaned and resanded instead.
How long does a resin driveway last?
On a sound base with a UV-stable resin, 15 years or more is common. Cheap, non-UV-stable resins can yellow in sunlight, and a poor base shows through as cracks. Ask the firm which resin they use.
Does resin get slippery?
A resin-bound surface has a slightly textured finish from the stone. Some installers add a fine anti-slip grit to the top on slopes. Mention any gradient when you send your photos.
Is resin cheaper than block paving?
On a new base, resin is usually a little cheaper per m² than block paving. Over a sound existing drive it is noticeably cheaper because the base stays. The block paving vs resin vs tarmac guide covers looks, lifespan and upkeep as well as price.