Recommendation for driveway type bonded/bounded/imprinted?

tallac

I'm looking to get my driveway re-done. I want something reasonably low maintenance especially with weeds so my current thinking is: imprinted concrete, resin bonded and resin bound. All seem to be pretty resistant to weed growth while still look really good.

Does anyone know how much I should budget for each type (cost on a square metre basis)? Any pros and cons between them?

I did some google searching and it seems like imprinted concrete is the most expensive and it's also quite slippery when wet. Of the 3, I think imprinted concrete and resin bound look the best.

However, would love to hear from people who have had experience living with it for a while.

Doozergirl

Concrete is brittle and even with expansion gaps, it will eventually crack as the ground moves underneath, in my experience. 

My personal choice is block paving because it tolerates movement, and can be lifted and relaid if any pipework needs accessing etc or the worst happens, giving it the best longevity.  I've recycled other people's block paving several times.  Or last drive was second-hand,  came in two grab wagons, literally emptied out onto the front.  Not one paver was damaged and it's still going strong another 10 years later, part of it having been lifted and relaid yet again when we carved out the driveway for the new house.  

This time I chose to 'block' pave our drive quite literally in 7N blocks.  I love it!  

I think resin bound looks lovely but I think there are different ways of doing it, some better lasting than others.  

molerat

A few houses here had imprinted concrete drives laid to replace the tarmac, they are all block paved now.  One went from tarmac to imprinted concrete to resin to block paved. The houses were alternated tarmac / block when built, all the recent upgrades have been to block.  I have the original 38 yo block paving which still looks pretty good with one small dip which I am not going to lose any sleep over.

weeg

Also, do you live in a flood prone area? Because permeable is very helpful if you do, and resin bound is not environmentally friendly.

FreeBear

weeg said: Also, do you live in a flood prone area? Because permeable is very helpful if you do, and resin bound is not environmentally friendly.

Paving blocks are not particularly environmentally friendly either - Being made from cement, they require a fair bit of energy..

If the driveway is being replaced with an impervious concrete, tarmac, or resin surface, a planning application will need to be made. Some form of drainage will need to be incorporated in to the design, along with a soakaway large enough to cope with surface water.

A permeable surface such as paving block would (normally) fall under permitted development, so no need for a planning application.

Slinky

If you are replacing an existing drive way with another with a different surface but it's the same size, does it require BR? I'm thinking concrete to tarmac.

FreeBear

Slinky said:

If you are replacing an existing drive way with another with a different surface but it's the same size, does it require BR? I'm thinking concrete to tarmac.

If you remove the original surface, then any new surface would be subject to planning & regs. If you were to just slap a layer of tarmac over the original concrete, then regs (probably) wouldn't apply as you could claim it was a repair, not replacement.

tallac

Doozergirl said:

I think resin bound looks lovely but I think there are different ways of doing it, some better lasting than others.  

I think I'm now leaning more towards resin bound. Do you have any information on the different ways it can be done?

What's an approx cost per sq metre? I've managed to get a rough ball pack estimate from one company who have said about £115 to £135 per sq metre which seems almost double the figures of the ones I can find on the internet via a google search.

Chickereeeee

FreeBear said:

weeg said: Also, do you live in a flood prone area? Because permeable is very helpful if you do, and resin bound is not environmentally friendly.

Paving blocks are not particularly environmentally friendly either - Being made from cement, they require a fair bit of energy..

If the driveway is being replaced with an impervious concrete, tarmac, or resin surface, a planning application will need to be made. Some form of drainage will need to be incorporated in to the design, along with a soakaway large enough to cope with surface water.

A permeable surface such as paving block would (normally) fall under permitted development, so no need for a planning application.

Normal block paving is not 'permeable' either (for regs purposes). You have to have larger gaps  - and special blocks with nibs.

EssexExile

Resin is very expensive and looks lovely but what happens if it gets damaged? They can deteriorate, be damaged by use or have to be dug up to access services below. They are never going to look that good again. Tarmac for me every time. It never looks great but it never looks awful either and it needs no maintenance.

knightstyle

Will your local council have any policies about this?  They may insist on A permeable driveway which allows all falling water to permeate through.