Resin Bound Driveways

What is the difference between UV Stable and Non UV Stable resin?

At Thortech, we make it imperative that you only choose a UV stable resin for your driveway or patio. While a lot of reputable companies such as ourselves only install UV stable, you may find some competitors offer Non-UV stable resin as an alternative.

Thorset® is a UV stable resin used for resin bound surfacing ensuring your new resin bound driveway or patio retains the same colour from the day it is laid!

Non-UV resin is slightly cheaper than UV stable resin and may look the same when laid, but will change in colour over time if in direct sunlight and can give uneven shading over the surface. It is less flexible than UV Stable resin and more prone to cracking.

What is the difference between a resin bound and resin bonded surface?

Although the similarity in names makes it slightly confusing, there are distinct differences between the two products.

Resin Bound Surfacing is a trowel-applied system that has selected aggregates mixed with the resin and laid to a smooth, level surface with no loose stone. Resin Bound provides a decorative, hard-wearing surface dressing.

Resin Bonded surfacing is where the chosen aggregate is scattered and bonded onto a resin base, providing a textured appearance of loose stones. The Resin Bonded system will have some initial shedding of aggregate and needs to be swept and maintained, ensuring that loose aggregate is removed. It is also a waterproofing system and therefore completely impermeable meaning all substrates must be laid to a correct fall prior to application.

Can it be laid over uneven surfaces?

Thorset® resin bound surfacing requires a strong and sturdy sub-base to which the resin can be installed, this can be new or existing. Resin bound surfacing can be used to level out an uneven surface, however any dips need the correct preparation to ensure no precipitation holds in the dip underneath the finished surface. Our knowledgeable sales manager can run through this with you on your sales visit and give you the best possible advice on this. .

Can weeds grow through a resin bound driveway?

Thorset® resin surfacing is weed resistant and is treated with weed killer prior to the installation of the resin bound. No weeds will grow up through the surface, however, seedlings in the air may land on your surface and cause some growth. (If you are using a strong weed killer, make sure to water it down significantly. Strong weed killers that aren’t watered down could discolour the surface of your resin surface).

Can resin bound surfacing be laid in the rain?

Weather conditions such as rain, humidity, dew, wet aggregate or any other ground moisture can present a big danger to your Thorset™ Resin Bound system. It is critical that you avoid moisture at all costs! Moisture and resin instantly react together, producing bubbles which will appear as foam or clouding within the resin.

We also carefully monitor the temperature on sites; this can affect curing times and the finished result!

What preparation works are needed for a resin bound driveway or patio?

If your existing driveway or patio is in good condition, then there is a strong chance it can be overlaid directly with our Thorset™ resin bound system. You will likely need edging installed as well to retain the finished resin bound surface.

If you have a concrete or slab base then this will need to be scarified and primed prior to the application. If your driveway or patio area is in bad condition or you have a new grass/earth area that you would like covered, then we have to follow the following steps to prepare the base to ensure its longevity.

We start by digging the area to 230mm from finished level. We then lay an open grade base-course Tarmac (very porous Tarmac) at 60mm thick, then the finished resin bound surfacing at 18-20mm in thickness.

Will my driveway or patio need an edging prior to the installation of resin bound surfacing?

Whether overlaying your existing driveway or laying a new sub-base, your driveway or patio area will require edging to be installed prior to any application. We essentially form a tray with the edging to retain the resin bound surface being installed at 18mm thick, this can be done using various different block pavers, pin-kerbs or steel edges.

Are resin bound surfaces suitable for wheelchairs?

For any homeowners with impaired mobility, finding a driveway that looks the part but is also practical can be something of an uphill battle. However our Thorset® resin bound surfaces provide a smooth surface making it the perfect choice for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles. With no loose stones, they all roll freely over the finished resin bound surface!