A resin bonded driveway is made by spreading a layer of resin onto a prepared base (tarmac or concrete) and then scattering loose, kiln-dried stone over the wet resin so it sticks. Once cured, the excess stone is swept off, leaving a hard-wearing, textured finish that looks like loose gravel but is fixed in place. Unlike resin bound — where stone is mixed through the resin and trowelled smooth — resin bonded is a thin scatter coat, and crucially it is not permeable: the continuous resin film seals the surface so water runs off rather than draining through.
How it is made, and how thick it is
Installation is a two-stage process: resin is spread across the substrate at roughly 1 kg/m², then loose kiln-dried aggregate is scattered on until fully covered, and the excess is swept away after curing. It is a thin coat — around 4 mm with 1–3 mm aggregate — far thinner than resin bound’s 15–18 mm. Because the resin bonds to the base rather than forming a structural layer of its own, that base must be sound tarmac or concrete.
What it is made of
Two parts: a two-component resin binder and loose, washed, kiln-dried decorative aggregate (typically 1–3 mm) scattered on top. For any outdoor surface the resin should be aliphatic polyurethane (genuinely UV-stable) — cheaper aromatic resins yellow within months of sun exposure.
How much does a resin bonded driveway cost?
Resin bonded is the budget option, typically £40–£70/m² fully installed — cheaper per m² than resin bound (around £60–£100/m²). A 50 m² double driveway comes to roughly £2,000–£3,500. Price your own with the cost calculator by choosing the resin bonded finish.
How long does it last?
A resin bonded driveway typically lasts 8–15 years — less than resin bound’s 15–25 years. Its weak point is “ravelling”: because stones are only glued at their base, tyre abrasion, UV and weathering gradually detach them. Periodic re-bonding (fresh resin and re-laid stone, roughly every 2–3 years) extends the surface, but eventual full replacement means two or three re-lays over 20 years can cost more than a single resin bound install.
Is it permeable? Planning permission
No — resin bonded is not permeable and not SUDS-compliant; the resin seals the base. That has a legal consequence: in England an impermeable front-garden surface over 5 m² generally needs planning permission unless run-off is managed within your property — whereas a permeable resin bound driveway usually does not.
Pros and cons
Pros: lower installed cost; a decorative gravel-like look with no loose stones underfoot; and high grip, which suits slopes, ramps and accessible routes. Cons: not permeable (planning risk on front gardens); shorter lifespan with progressive stone loss; a thin coat that is less robust under heavy vehicles; and more upkeep — sweeping loose stone and re-bonding every couple of years.
Colours, repair and maintenance
The colour and look come from the chosen decorative aggregate, in a textured, loose-gravel appearance rather than resin bound’s smooth “stone carpet”. Maintenance is moderate: sweep stray stones and re-bond/reseal roughly every 2–3 years. Repairs are doable but patches tend to show, and badly worn areas often need a full re-coat.
Where bonded suits — and where bound wins
Choose resin bonded when budget is the priority, for paths, decorative areas and light-traffic surfaces, or where maximum grip matters. Choose resin bound for a main driveway and anywhere drainage, longevity and a clean finish count — it is permeable (usually no planning permission), smoother, and lasts 15–25 years versus bonded’s 8–15 years. For the full side-by-side, see resin bound vs resin bonded.