Resin-bound driveways are all the rage. They remain vibrant for many years, prevent weed growth, allow water to drain through and much more, all while adding significant value to your home.
You might be wondering how long it takes to install a resin driveway.
Will the front of your property be a mess for weeks?
The answer to that is no. A resin driveway itself can be installed in a day. You’ll need a few days before to remove the old driveway and lay a new sub-base (if you choose to go down that route). You should also allow a day or two before parking on your new drive after the work finishes.
This blog post explains why that’s the case.
How long does it take before a new resin driveway can be laid?
Let’s start right at the beginning. Say you’ve decided your old tarmac or block-paved driveway has had its day, and the many benefits of resin have led you to hire an installer.
The contractor will first discuss the design with you. They’ll then send somebody to the property to check the more precise details, such as the angles and how the surface meets walls and paths. You’ll receive an estimate at the start of this process and a more precise quote once everything is finalised.
With the contract agreed upon, the installer should conduct a site survey, noting all the technical and engineering specifications. This helps them to work efficiently and safely.
The last thing to do before your new driveway is installed is to remove the old one. While it’s possible to use resin as an overlay surface, we wouldn’t recommend it. If there’s anything wrong with the original or sub-base, your new resin driveway will likely crack or develop other problems far earlier than it should.
Ideally, a new sub-base will be laid in place of the old one. This is usually a simple concrete block.
Can a resin driveway be installed in a day?
Yes. In most residential cases, a driveway will be laid during a workday. It could even be completed in the time you’re at the office and before you’re home for tea.
Resin sets quickly, so installing it promptly is imperative. Like many resin driveway installers, we always ensure we have an appropriate number of on-site staff working away. This ensures we never run into this problem.
Several other precautions will also be taken. For example, the site will always be thoroughly prepped beforehand, including the survey. A resin driveway installer will monitor the weather like a hawk, waiting for a dry day with no rain forecast. These conditions give the resin the best chance of setting quickly.
Do you need to wait before using a new resin driveway?
Once your resin-bound driveway has been installed, waiting 24 hours before using it is sensible. If the weather unexpectedly turns or it’s winter, it’s often a good idea to wait an extra day or two on top of this. Allowing the resin some extra time to set means it will remain level. This is one of the most important things about a resin driveway, so it shouldn’t be risked for the sake of one day’s convenience.
Once the driveway sets, that’s it.
Buffalo Driveways and the benefits of resin-bound driveways
Resin-bound (as opposed to ‘resin-bonded’) driveways come with many benefits for homeowners. Here are just a few:
- It’s crack-resistant due to its high internal strength.
- Weeds find it almost impossible to grow through a resin-bound surface.
- Designs can be as simple or as complex as you like.
- Resin driveways require little maintenance (bi-annual jetwash and the occasional sweep).
- UV-resistant properties mean the colours remain vibrant for years and even decades.
- Grit in the resin results in an impressive anti-slip characteristic.
- Resin driveways add a lot of market value to a home, especially when replacing an old, tired one.
- SUDS-compliance means water drains through, leaving no standing water and usually meaning no planning permission.
Buffalo Driveways is an expert in laying resin-bound driveways. We’re based in Derby and Nottingham, servicing these cities and the surrounding areas.
With more than 500 local installations for you to inspect, we’re known for our quality, customer service and value. We’ll help you develop any design choice that takes your fancy, guiding you through the masses of available colours, mixtures and textures.
Buffalo Driveways only uses in-house employees (we don’t use contractors), so we know we’re giving the best service possible. All our work comes with a five- or ten-year warranty, depending on whether we laid a new sub-base.
Could a resin driveway benefit your East Midlands home? If so, why not get in touch for a friendly (commitment-free) chat? We’ll happily walk you through your options and explain the next steps.
Use the form below to message us; we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.