FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Material and process questions, answered honestly — no invented guarantees, no invented timescales.
- What is the difference between resin bound and resin bonded surfacing?
- Resin bound driveways mix the aggregate fully through the resin before it is trowelled to a smooth, flat finish, so every stone is coated and nothing sits loose on top — the result is seamless and, built correctly, permeable. Resin bonded surfacing works the other way round: a resin adhesive is spread first and the aggregate is scattered and rolled onto it, so only the underside of each stone is bonded and the surface keeps a more textured, gravel-like feel. Which one suits a driveway usually comes down to the look wanted and the area being covered.
- Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
- In England, since October 2008, laying more than 5m² of impermeable hard surfacing in a front garden that drains to the highway generally needs planning permission, whereas a permeable surface — or one that drains to a soakaway or border rather than the road — generally does not. This is a general planning position and not a guarantee that any specific property qualifies; anyone unsure about their own property should check with their local planning authority before work starts.
- What actually determines how long a driveway lasts?
- The sub-base underneath matters at least as much as the surface material on top. A well-compacted, correctly built sub-base with proper drainage falls is what stops a driveway cracking, sinking or heaving over time — a premium surface laid over a poor base will still fail early, while a well-built base gives almost any surface a fair chance to perform.
- Can an existing driveway be resurfaced instead of replaced?
- Sometimes, yes — where the existing sub-base is genuinely sound and only the surface itself has faded, cracked at the joints, or lost its grip and colour, cleaning, joint repair and resealing can bring it back without a full rebuild. Where the sub-base itself has failed — visible sinking, heaving or structural cracking — a resurface will not fix that underlying movement, and a proper repair or rebuild is the more honest recommendation.
- What is a permeable or SuDS driveway?
- A permeable or SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) driveway is built so that rainwater drains through the surface into the ground or a storage layer below, rather than running off toward the road or a neighbouring property. In practice that can mean a permeable resin-bound system, block paving laid with open, permeable joints, or a properly built gravel-and-grid system — each needing a sub-base designed for drainage, not just for supporting weight.
- Why does block paving sometimes look uneven after a few years?
- Block paving relies on a firm edge restraint around its perimeter to keep every block locked together under vehicle loading — if that restraint is undersized, poorly bedded, or missing, the blocks can gradually shift and the surface starts to look uneven even though the blocks themselves are unworn. Re-sanding the joints periodically also helps keep the surface locked tight.
- Is gravel a low-maintenance option?
- A properly built gravel driveway — laid over a permeable membrane and a compacted sub-base, and held in place with a stabiliser grid or a firm edge restraint — is genuinely low-maintenance day to day and easy to top up over time rather than replace outright. Without that grid or restraint, loose gravel will migrate and rut under regular use, so the build-up underneath matters as much as the stone itself.
- What is covered by driveway repairs versus a full resurface?
- Repairs generally address localised problems on an otherwise sound driveway — a pothole, a cracked or sunken section, a few loose block-paving units, or a failed edge restraint — by fixing the underlying cause, whether that is a drainage fall or a section of failed sub-base. A full resurface or rebuild is the more sensible option where the failure is comprehensive across the whole area rather than confined to one section.
- How do I get a quote?
- The quickest way is the quote form on this site — add a few details and a photo if you have one, and you will hear back with no obligation. You can also try the free driveway visualiser first, to see roughly how a different finish might look on your own driveway before you enquire.
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