Do you wish your garden paths were neater, easier to maintain and more aesthetically appealing? Are you looking for something durable, easy to maintain and that looks stunning all year round?
Then you'll find the answer in resin pathways!
As resin-bound surfacing specialists, Resin Crew highly recommends this option, and you'll find out why as you read on.
A resin pathway is a fantastic alternative to traditional materials, like block paving, slabs, gravel and concrete.
Resin-bound pathways are formed by mixing gravel with resin and spreading it by trowel onto a prepared base, hence its other name - resin-bound gravel.
The end result is amazing - a beautiful flooring system that enhances your garden and that will continue to look great for many years.
Like all types of flooring systems, this one has its pros and cons, although it has to be said that the positives far outweigh the negatives!
First, take a look at the following benefits:
When laid correctly, resin-bound aggregates don't need a lot of care. Simply sweep the surface regularly to remove dust and dirt, and maybe hose it down or use a pressure washer once or twice a year.
And that's it!
Although it uses epoxy or polyester resin, this material is still considered a green option, partly because the stones are often recycled and the product is long-lasting, but also because they are permeable (see below).
Properly-laid resin pathways will easily last for twenty-five years or more and continue to look amazing, especially if you look after them.
In fact, resin pathways are proving to be more hard-wearing than many other alternatives.
As the surface is permeable, water is able to seep through the microscopic holes and soak away into the ground - provided the base is also porous.
This makes resin-bound surfacing SuDS compliant, helping you to avoid having to seek planning permission. SuDS is a government initiative to create sustainable drainage systems that will ease problems with local flooding.
Modern developments have replaced thousands of acres of land with hard surfaces, causing rain to flow into drains rather than soak away into the ground.
Porous surfaces on driveways, patios and paths are preferred these days as they combat the problem. Plus, you won't get puddles on your paths!
All good resin pathway companies use high-quality UV-stable resin, as this provides protection from the sun's harmful rays that threaten to fade and degrade the surface.
This means that the colours will stay bright and clear for many, many years.
You can design and create your pathway exactly how you want it, with an astonishing array of colours, shapes and textures on offer.
Check out: Our range of resin/aggregate colours!
Use your imagination! This is where you get to decide exactly what you want.
When you use a trusted resin-bound surfacing company, they will use high-quality materials and apply a fine, crushed glass grit as the resin is curing. This provides a good grip on the surface that's safe for all, even in wet conditions.
Without this, the smooth surface can be slippery in certain conditions.
This system can also be used for resin-bound driveways, patios, tree pits, swimming pool surrounds, car parks, or any outdoor area that could do with a low-maintenance hard-wearing surface that looks fantastic.
It's not only for domestic dwellings, either: commercial areas can benefit greatly from the durable and attractive surface that resin pathways can offer!
The final cost will vary depending on the size of the project, of course, but the colour, shape and overall complexity of the design will also affect this.
When you contact Resin Crew we will provide all the information about our fantastic range of resin pathway options and offer a free quote with absolutely no obligation on your part. Our main aim is your complete satisfaction.
When it comes to having resin pathways installed, you might not know what to expect.
Here's a quick walkthrough of the installation process to give you an idea of what happens:
This is possibly the most crucial step. If this isn't right, then the whole project will fail soon afterwards.
Suitable bases include tarmac, concrete, asphalt or an eco-grid made from recycled plastic.
However, there are strict guidelines for all of these options, particularly if you want the surface to be permeable and to comply with the SuDS regulations. You need to check that any existing surface is porous before the binder layer (resin and gravel) is installed.
Eco-grids have to be filled in with stone ballast to ensure they provide a stable foundation.
All base surfaces must be clean and perfectly dry before installing resin pathways. For this reason, the process will be postponed during wet weather.
The resin is carefully mixed with the aggregate in precise proportions. There's a skill to this and you need to keep an eye on the temperature, working steadily but without taking too long as the resin will start to cure quickly in hot weather.
The gravel is thoroughly washed and kiln-dried beforehand to reduce contamination from dust and dirt that would spoil the finish. Every stone has to be coated in resin with no dry sections that might compromise the pathway in future.
Once it has been thoroughly mixed, the resin is trowelled into place to form a solid, smooth and level path.
It is then left for about four hours to cure, depending on the temperature and weather conditions. An accelerator can be added to force the resin to cure more rapidly, but the area will be off-limits during this time. If any pressure is placed on the surface before it has cured there's a risk of dislodging the stones and ruining the finish.
In theory, it's possible for someone to lay their own resin pathways. Kits are available for making paths, patio areas and driveways, and by all accounts, the results are generally favourable - if the reviews are to be believed.
However, there are a few points to bear in mind:
The larger the total area, the more work is involved and the more likely it is that problems will arise.
The key to a successful resin pathway is to ensure that the sub-base is sound. Without this, there's a risk of subsidence or cracking. Also, some existing bases aren't suitable, such as grass, soil or block paving.
If you're starting from scratch, you'll need to excavate and prepare the base layer perfectly to ensure that your resin paths are level and that the resin bonds with the base.
Most people write a review soon after laying their resin-bound pathway. While it might look fantastic and be easy to use, any issues won't be apparent until later. If the sub-base isn't prepared properly or the resin isn't mixed correctly, resin-bound surfacing will fail at some stage.
Getting the mix wrong, or not mixing the gravel in properly, could be disastrous and mess up your resin path completely!
While anyone is welcome to do this themselves, most experts agree that it is better to get a professional to do the job for you. We know how to get the resin mix exactly right each time and undertake all the necessary groundwork to ensure perfect results.
Having seen all the positive points, you might be wondering why we've missed out the negatives.
The fact is that resin paths have very few downsides, and these all relate to the installation and the quality of the materials used.
When you hire Resin Crew to install your resin pathways, you can rest assured that we have the skill set to complete the task perfectly and we only use the best quality materials in the trade.
So, whether you want a new patio, driveway or resin pathway installation, call Resin Crew today to chat about your exciting design ideas and we'll give you a free, no-obligation quote.
And when you're ready, we'll transform your outdoor space!
As a business owner, I believe resin pathways offer unparalleled benefits including their attractive finish, durability, and permeability. They are highly customizable to suit any landscape design and are virtually maintenance-free, which our clients appreciate.
Resin-bound systems involve mixing the resin and aggregate together before application, resulting in a smooth, porous surface ideal for driveways, patios, and pathways. On the other hand, resin-bonded systems involve applying a thin layer of resin to the surface and then scattering the aggregate on top, providing a more textured, non-porous finish which is highly slip-resistant.
Absolutely, provided that the existing surface is in good condition and properly prepared. Installing a resin pathway over an existing base can save you time and money, but if the base is damaged or uneven, it may need repair or replacement to ensure the durability and longevity of your new resin surface.
Typically, you can walk on a new resin pathway after about 6 to 8 hours, but for vehicles, we recommend waiting at least 24 to 48 hours to ensure the resin has fully cured and set. This can vary slightly based on weather conditions and the specific products used.
