Block paving was once the go-to surface for homeowners across the UK, but resin bound has been gradually catching up. Easy to maintain, unlimited design options, more affordable, with all its benefits, it’s clear to why thousands are opting for it.

With those updating to this versatile material from block paving, one of the questions we get asked most is “can resin bound be laid over block paving?”. In this article, we answer that question conclusively.

Laying Resin Bound Over Block Paving

Although it’s possible to lay resin bound over block paving, it’s certainly not a good idea. Block paving isn’t a solid enough base, as over time, they shift and settle. They’re created by combining hundreds of different bricks and paving slabs, and if just one or two of them move (as they’re prone to doing over time), it’s bad news for your new resin bound driveway.

Sufficient movement is likely to lead to sinking or cracking, both of which will be expensive to repair. And once you repair it, it’s quite possible that the same issues will reoccur over time. If you’re going to resin bound your outside area, driveway, garden path, or patios, it’s best to do it right the first time, ripping up the block paving and putting down a suitable base in its place.

What Surfaces Can You Lay Resin Bound Over

You can lay resin bound over any existing concrete, tarmac, or asphalt surface, as long as they’re in good condition. Resin bound is just a thin layer, typically 15–18mm thick, so is simply laid over your existing surface. The only preparation needed (if your surface is in good condition) is making sure it’s clean, dry, and free from any loose material or debris before installation. Loose materials like gravel, sand, or damaged surfaces will impact the quality of finish, and risk issues occurring over time.

If your existing surface is damaged, uneven, or made from unsuitable materials, you’ll need to either get it repaired first or rip it up entirely and put down a proper sub-base instead.

Best Sub Bases for Resin Bound Surfaces

The most commonly used materials for sub bases of resin bound surfaces are concrete, tarmac, and asphalt. These all provide a solid base that resin bound surfaces need to last. Grid systems are also a great option, though requiring more resin, cost more.

Granular sub-bases made from gravel or sand may come to mind but aren’t suitable. This is down to damp that could come up from underneath over time, seeping into the resin, affecting the product.

Timing is important with sub bases. Whatever material you choose needs to be left to cure fully before the resin bound surface goes on top. For tarmac or asphalt bases, you’re looking at a minimum of two weeks to set properly. Concrete, however, can take up to a month to fully cure, which might make it less appealing if you’re eager to get your new surface down. Grid systems remove the need for curing, which may make it a more suitable option.

For a complete breakdown of sub-base options, check out our full guide on resin bound bases.

Final Thoughts

Laying resin over block paving has a lower initial cost than installing a new sub-base, but it’s less likely to last. Block paving is made up of hundreds of bricks and paving slabs that can shift and settle over time. Even a small amount of movement can damage the resin surface. Resin-bound paving can be (and should be) laid on solid surfaces like concrete and tarmac, as long as they are load-bearing and not likely to crack.

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Looking at getting a resin bound surface installed at your home or business premises? Surfacing contractors highly experienced in resin bound surfacing, our team are here to help. We cover the entirety of the UK, with bases in both Peterborough and Romford, and can complete your entire project efficiently, to an extremely high standard.

To learn more about our resin bound surfacing services, get in touch with us today. Driveways, patios, pathways – we can do it all.

SuDS, standing for Sustainable Urban Drainage System, is essentially a drainage standard that many surfaces are required to comply with – particularly in built-up, urban areas. In this short guide, we’re going to run through the importance of SuDS compliance, explain exactly what it is and answer the question posed in the title: do resin bound surfaces meet the standard?

What makes a surface SuDS compliant?

SuDS compliant surfaces have to be porous enough to allow sufficient levels of water to drain through them and into the earth below – much like grass or soil do. Some surfaces, including resin bonded (not to be confused with its relative, resin bound) are not SuDS compliant, as they don’t allow water to drain through them.

In this instance, to satisfy regulations, additional drainage will have to be installed. This can add a significant amount to the cost of any resurfacing project, not to mention hamper its sleek appearance.

Why is this important?

SuDS compliance is particularly important today, as regulations were passed in 2015 to try and reduce the likelihood of flooding in new developments. Nowadays, driveways in residential areas must comply with the SuDS standard. If they don’t, additional measures (like a purpose-built drainage system) will be required, as mentioned above.

Are resin bound surfaces compliant?

If you’re considering a resin bound surface for your driveway, SuDS compliance is an important matter to consider. Fortunately, you’ll be pleased to know that yes, they are compliant. Although the similarly-named ‘resin bonded’ material is not porous, and so doesn’t meet the SuDS standard.

Resin bound surfacing contractors

No matter where in the UK you’re located, the experienced resin bound surfacing contractors at A&MT can help you. From installing a new driveway to constructing a car park at your business premises, we can do it all to an extremely high standard. Learn more about us today and get in touch for a free, no obligation quote.

The great thing about resin bound patios is that they are fairly easy to maintain and will last decades if looked after properly. Throughout the seasons they tend to accumulate all sorts of dirt and oils and so it is important to know how to remove these effectively without harming the surface itself.

In this article, we have listed a few ways in which you can maintain the integrity and appearance of your patio throughout the year with little-to-no effort:

• Regularly sweep the surface – leaves and soil may build up over time and so regular sweeping with a stiff brush will keep your patio looking fresh and tidy.
• Keep any oil, petrol or chemical solvents away – these types of chemicals can soften your resin patio, reducing its durability and damage the resin binder. If you happen to spill any of these, wash your patio straight away with lots of water, if the resin remains solid then all is good!
• Remove stubborn stains with a pressure washer – a regular jet wash (under 150bar) used with cold water should remove any stubborn stains. Please note: pressurised water to a certain point can end up damaging your resin patio and so remain mindful when cleaning).
• Remove any ice with white rock salt – rock salt will thaw the surface quickly and effectively. Do not use any type of road grit as this can clog the surface and break down the resin topping.

If you’re looking into resin bound surfacing and would like to know if this is something that would be a possible option for your property, contact us today. We can arrange a free site survey, offering expert and professional advice.

If you are looking into getting resin bound surfacing for your driveway, car park or school playground but are unsure what time of year would be best to do so, we’ve put together a handy guide to explain this further.

The effect of temperature on resin bound surfacing

Generally, the recommended temperature to lay resin is between 5 and 25 degrees. As the temperature increases, the resin mixture will become thinner, causing the stones to become loose and therefore will require more repair work.

On the other hand, if the temperature is too cold or the air is too humid it can invite moisture in, causing the resin to react and produce gas bubbles or foaming on the surface.

Colder temperatures may also affect the curing time. Anything below 5 degrees will mean that you will have to hold off laying your concrete or tarmac base as it will become incredibly difficult to spread.

Will the resin surface change if we get a heatwave or cold spell after the surface has been laid?

Heat does not affect the life-span and durability of a resin bound surface once it has been properly laid and cured. Resin surfaces have excellent weather resistance, withstanding both extremely high temperatures and freezing cold conditions. Alongside this, they are also permeable, meaning they allow water to drain through which can help prevent flooding and stop any ice forming on the surface.

Overall, resin bound surfaces are a great option for anywhere that has unpredictable weather. As long as you take the temperature into consideration when you come to lay the surface, you should be absolutely fine.

Get a free site survey today

At A&MT Contractors, we offer a free site survey to help you decide what solution would be best for you. Our expert surfacers can offer helpful advice on material options and explain the whole process so that you know exactly what is involved. Get in touch with us today to find out more.

If you’re wanting to upgrade your driveway, carpark or school playground then you may be wondering if resin bound surfacing is able to be laid on top of what you currently have. In this guide we’re discussing the best types of surfaces that will work with resin bound and others that may not.

As a rule of thumb, the most suitable and common bases to lay resin bound surfacing on are tarmac and concrete.

The benefits of tarmac and concrete

Tarmac and concrete are the most popular with contractors due to their permeability (meaning they allow liquids and gases to flow through them). This is an important factor as it allows the natural filtering of water back into the ground, preventing any chances of flooding.

Concrete is great to use underneath your resin bound surfacing due to its durability – it won’t crack, shrink or expand in hot or cold weather and therefore will not affect the resin above.

Bases to avoid when using resin bound surfacing

Block Paving – although this surface remains popular, it is not as durable; the brickwork can start to become loose and therefore start to open up gaps. This in turn leads to costly ongoing maintenance.

Paving Flags and Slabs – it is best to avoid laying any form of resin bound surfacing on these. This is because any base movement will cause the resin to crack and will therefore be difficult to repair.

Looking for a dependable surfacing contractor?

At A&MT Contractors, we pride ourselves on delivering high quality results time after time. If you are unsure what type of surface you already have, you can arrange a free site survey with one of our expert surfacing contractors. Contact us today to find out more.

If you’re an avid DIY enthusiast and prefer tackling jobs on your home yourself, you might be tempted to give resin bound surfacing a go. But should you – or are you better off calling in the assistance of a professional? Let’s take a look.

Consider your skill level

You might think, as a specialist resin bound contractor, we’d give a biased answer to this question. But with the rising cost of living, we completely understand why you’d want to have a crack at resurfacing your drive or patio yourself – who doesn’t like to save a bit of money, after all?

But before you even consider having a go, think about your own skill level and previous experience. Have you completed any resurfacing projects before? The process of laying a resin bound surface is unique and has to be followed correctly. If you’re not totally confident in your abilities, it’s best to consult a professional resin bound surfacing company.

Tricky process

Although resin bound has plenty of benefits, it’s not the easiest surface to install – and leaves little room for error. First, you have to prepare the base and ensure it’s totally clean and ready to go. Resin bound mixtures begin to set very quickly, so you have to act fast during the installation process.

You’ll need powerful enough equipment to mix the materials together, which might mean hiring or purchasing new tools – adding to the cost of the project.

The risks

If you don’t work quickly enough, don’t mix the aggregates correctly or don’t prepare the base layer well enough, you could undo all your hard work in minutes. Mistakes during the process can prevent the mixture from curing properly, or could cause cracks to form prematurely.

Even the weather can play havoc with your project; if it rains during the process, you may have to start from scratch!

Professional contractors are prepared for every eventuality and have the know-how to deliver stunning results, no matter how challenging your project may be. Unless you’re totally confident and have the right tools at your disposal, we’d advise leaving it to the experts.

To get a free, no obligation quote for your project, contact us today. With depots in Peterborough and Romford, A&MT Contractors able to complete both commercial and domestic projects nationwide.

Whether you’re looking to resurface your driveway, patio or a garden pathway, you’ll have a multitude of options to choose from – two of the most popular being block paving and resin bound surfacing.

Both look very different, but both can look equally modern and contemporary or classic and timeless: the choice is yours. The creative freedom each of these surfaces offers is certainly one of the main draws, but the similarities between the two pretty much end there.

To help you decide which is best for you, here’s a straightforward guide to the pros and cons of each option.

Block paving

To get started, let’s take a look at block paving. What exactly has made it so popular? Principally, the design flexibility it offers; by using contrasting bricks in different colours and finishes, it’s possible to create a striking driveway that’s truly one of a kind.

While it may look the part (provided it’s installed correctly), block paving isn’t the easiest surface to live with. Regular maintenance is required to keep it looking good, from laborious de-weeding to pressure washing and brushing. And, even if it’s well maintained, block paving doesn’t last as long as some other surfaces; bricks can work loose and chip, but at least they’re easy to replace as and when required.

Resin bound surfacing

Despite looking very different from block paving, we’d argue resin bound is just as attractive (although that’s a matter of personal preference). An array of different styles are available too, allowing you to match the colour to your property and create a coherent look.

Aesthetics aside, how is resin bound to live with? Well, this is one of the main reasons why it’s become so popular of late: it requires very little maintenance. Aside from occasional brushing and pressure washing to keep it looking good, you won’t have to give your drive a second thought – and it could last in excess of 20 years.

It’s permeable too, making it kinder to the environment and eliminating the risk of puddles forming. You won’t have to worry about weeds with resin bound, either.

Which should you go for?

Unless you prefer the aesthetics of block paving, the advantages of resin bound make it the obvious first choice. It’s no wonder it’s fast becoming the go-to option for homeowners across Britain. Wherever you’re based in the UK, our expert resin bound surfacing team at A&MT Contractors is here to help. Contact us today to get your free quote.

There are plenty of reasons to add a resin bound driveway to your property, but one of the main ones is that they have the potential to boost its value. Before you invest a significant amount of money into getting your driveway resurfaced, it might be of comfort to know just how much of that investment you’re likely to see back when you sell up.

In this article, we’re going to answer that very question. First, to understand how a resin bound drive could add value to your home, let’s examine what the surface is and what makes it desirable.

What is resin bound surfacing?

Formed by mixing resin with aggregate stones, resin bound surfaces are available in a wide variety of colours to complement your property beautifully. In the last decade or so, they’ve risen to prominence and are now considered one of the go-to materials for driveways, garden paths, walkways and much more.

Why is it popular?

There are a whole host of benefits to resin bound surfacing, one of which is how customisable it is. As we touched on above, you can get the material in a vast array of colours, allowing you to choose one that suits your property perfectly.

It’s also immensely durable, being resistant to the freezing cold and sweltering heat. It won’t crack or break like many other surfaces do, and it can last for upwards of 20 years.

How much value could it add?

Provided it’s installed correctly, a nice new resin bound driveway could boost your property’s value by 5-10%. And that’s not all: because your home will look the part in photographs, it’s likely to attract more clicks from prospective buyers, making it easier to sell.

Speak to the resin bound surfacing experts

There are plenty of reasons to select a resin bound solution for your next driveway, then, but make sure you choose the right company to carry out the work. Speak to the resin bound surfacing experts at A&MT Contractors today for a free, no obligation quote.