Resin vs Block Paving: Cost, Lifespan and Drainage

Resin vs block paving compared

Here are the two surfaces side by side, with the prices and the points for and against each on Checkatrade’s figures for a new driveway.

	Resin bound	Block paving
Material per m²	£70	£50
Installation per m²	£50	£50
Total per m²	£120	£100
Small single car drive, 20m²	£2,800	£2,400
Medium 2 car drive, 50m²	£6,000	£5,000
Large multiple car drive, 100m²	£10,000	£8,000
In its favour	Modern, permeable and low maintenance	A huge choice of styles, patch repairs possible and long-lasting if laid well
Against it	One of the dearer options, occasional moss control, and the best results depend on the preparation	Labour-intensive, more expensive to install, and the quality varies
Lifespan	15 to 20 years with proper installation and maintenance	15 to 20 years if properly looked after

Resin bound costs more per m² and at all three sizes, and it lasts no longer. A resin driveway lasts 15 to 20 years with proper installation and maintenance, Checkatrade’s resin bound guide says, and a properly looked after block paved driveway can also last 15 to 20 years, according to its block paving cost guide.

Is resin or block paving cheaper?

Block paving is cheaper. On Checkatrade’s figures, block paving costs £100 per m² and a resin bound driveway £120, and with installation at £50 per m² for both, the difference is in the material, £50 per m² for block paving against £70 for resin bound.

The gap grows with the size of the drive, from £2,800 against £2,400 at 20m² to £10,000 against £8,000 at 100m², on the same guide’s prices by size. Both surfaces sit at the higher end of new driveway prices, with gravel usually the cheapest.

Checkatrade’s separate block paving cost guide puts a 50m² block paved driveway at £4,500 to £6,500, an average of £5,500, excluding VAT.

Resin and block paving problems

On a resin drive, the type of resin matters. UV-stable resin resists colour change from sunlight and is more flexible, so it resists cracking, but it costs almost twice as much as non-UV-stable resin, Checkatrade’s resin bound guide says. Non-UV-stable resin discolours, leaving marks where a wheelie bin or plant pot has stood, and it is harder and more brittle, so it is more prone to cracking.

Checkatrade’s block paving cost guide names these causes of sinking block paving:

• not excavating deeply enough
• no geo membrane
• a mains water leak washing out the sub-base
• failed compaction, for example where a tree was removed
• acidic dirt, moss, weeds and lichens

Lifting and relaying sunken paving costs roughly £75 per m², the same guide says, and laying block paving yourself is hard to do well, since a poor job can leave an unstable, sinking driveway.

Drainage and planning permission

The Planning Portal’s guidance on paving a front garden names permeable concrete block paving, with gravel and porous asphalt, as surfacing a new or replacement driveway of any size can use without planning permission, while a traditional impermeable driveway covering more than five square metres needs permission if the water has no way to run to a permeable area.

Permeable block paving is a separate product from standard block paving, listed with composite resin blocks as a further option in Checkatrade’s driveway paving cost guide. It lets moisture flow into the ground, so no additional drainage system is needed, and it costs £60 to £90 per m², an average of £75, excluding VAT, on Checkatrade’s block paving cost guide.

The Planning Portal does not name resin. Checkatrade’s resin bound guide describes resin bound, where resin and aggregate are mixed for a smooth finish, as permeable, and resin bonded, where aggregate is scattered over resin for a rougher finish, as not permeable.

Hard permeable surfaces, including concrete or clay block permeable paving, are durable, with a very long service life if built correctly, and need the least maintenance, the government’s guidance on permeable front gardens says, but they can cost more than other options and need a knowledgeable contractor.

Repairs and maintenance

Block paving can be repaired a block at a time, since damaged blocks can be replaced without redoing the whole drive, and it is low maintenance, with occasional sweeping and weed control, Checkatrade’s driveway paving cost guide says. A weed membrane and sealant keep it fairly low maintenance, but both are among the less obvious costs, so check your quote for them.

Resin needs sweeping, with spills removed straight away and no harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes, Checkatrade’s resin bound guide says. It is not slippery once the initial resin film wears, and the aggregate should include anti-slip material such as glass or translucent sand.

Laying resin and block paving

A standard sized block paved driveway takes 3 to 5 days on average, depending on site preparation and complexity, Checkatrade’s driveway paving cost guide says.

Resin bound paving must be laid up to a stable edge, such as a wall or brick edging, and where there is none, one has to be created at extra cost, Checkatrade’s resin bound guide says. Resin can go over an existing surface in good condition, sometimes after groundwork, and it is often considered the best material for a sloping driveway.

A new resin drive must stay dry until it sets, since rain can leave it cloudy or foamy, so summer is the best time to lay one. You can walk on it after around 24 hours and drive smaller vehicles on it after 72 hours, the same guide says.

Get the dig, the base, the edging and the timing into both quotes, so you compare like with like.

Resin or block paving: which to choose

The two last about as long, so choose on your budget, your drive and the finish you want.

Put the guarantee next to the price when you compare quotes, because guarantees differ between Nottingham driveway companies. For block paving, LJD Paving in Gotham says it builds on a compacted base of Type 1 British Standard approved stone and backs all its work with a 10-year written guarantee, Trowell Paving in Stapleford gives a 10-year guarantee on its driveways, and BP Paving in Carlton guarantees all of its work for 5 years.

For resin, ED Paving in Long Eaton says it has installed over 500 resin driveways in the area in the last 5 years, and it gives a 10-year guarantee on its labour and a 5-year guarantee on materials. Duffield Construction in West Bridgford specialises in resin bound, block paving and tarmac driveways, Domestic Resin Paving in Kimberley installs resin bound driveways, and Advanced Patios & Paving in Sneinton uses UV-stable polyurethane resin.