Block Paving or Resin: Which One’s Right for Your Drive?

Choosing the right driveway material can transform your home’s kerb appeal and ensure lasting performance. With options ranging from traditional block paving to modern resin bound surfaces, understanding the strengths and drawbacks of each is essential.

Deciding between block paving vs resin driveways involves balancing aesthetics, durability, maintenance and budget. This guide walks Bridgwater homeowners through everything you need to know, helping you make an informed choice that enhances property value and enjoyment.

Understanding Driveway Materials

Driveway installations employ a variety of materials, each offering distinct benefits. Recognising the broader landscape clarifies why block paving and resin bound paving deserve special consideration.

Common driveway materials include:

• Asphalt (Tarmac): Affordable, smooth surface but needs sealing every few years.
• Concrete: Strong and long-lasting, available in stamped or stained finishes; prone to cracking in freeze-thaw cycles.
• Gravel: Economical with a rustic look; requires edge restraint to prevent stone migration.
• Natural Stone: High-end finish using sandstone, slate or granite; premium cost but exceptional durability.
• Permeable Pavers: Designed for water drainage, often used in SuDS installations.
  Stamped Concrete: Imitates brick or stone patterns; more cost-effective than genuine materials.

Whilst all these options serve different priorities, block paving and resin bound paving stand out for their design versatility, repairability and permeability features.

Good Read: Choosing Between Block Paving and Tarmac for Your Driveway: What Bridgwater Homeowners Need to Know

What Is Block Paving?

Block paving involves laying individual bricks—typically concrete or clay—in interlocking patterns. It has been a popular driveway choice for decades, renowned for its classic appearance.

Key features include:

• Design versatility: Blocks come in various shapes, sizes and colours, allowing herringbone, basket weave or stretcher bond patterns.
• Borders and accents: Contrasting edge courses can frame driveways or highlight curves.

Repair and maintenance are straightforward. Damaged blocks lift out easily and replacements slot in without patchy repairs. Occasional sweeping and the application of jointing sand keep weeds at bay, while a resealing treatment every few years preserves colour vibrancy.

What Is Resin Bound Paving?

Resin bound paving is a blend of natural aggregate stones and a clear resin binder, trowelled onto a prepared substrate. The result is a seamless, smooth finish that complements both contemporary and traditional homes.

Standout benefits include:

• Permeability: Rainwater drains through the porous surface, reducing puddles and complying with sustainable drainage requirements.
• Low maintenance: No loose stones or shifting; routine sweeping or pressure-washing is typically sufficient.

Additionally, resin bound surfaces resist UV degradation, preventing discolouration over time. A wide palette of aggregate colours allows for bespoke designs, from subtle neutrals to vibrant mixes.

Durability & Maintenance: Head-to-Head

When evaluating longevity and upkeep, both materials excel in different areas. Understanding their maintenance regimes ensures you choose a driveway that suits your lifestyle.

• Block paving: Highly durable under heavy loads but may settle over time if the base isn’t perfectly level. Joint sand can erode, requiring top-ups and occasional re-sanding. Weeds may sprout in gaps if left unchecked.
• Resin bound: The continuous surface resists weed growth entirely. Its flexibility prevents cracking, even in frost. However, damage from sharp objects or oil spills can penetrate the resin, requiring spot repairs by a professional installer.

Regular maintenance for block paving typically involves weed control, re-sanding and resealing every three to five years. Resin bound driveways need minimal attention—just a swift sweep or jet-wash and occasional moss removal.

Aesthetic & Design Flexibility

Your driveway sets the tone for the entire property, so design choices matter. Both block paving and resin bound paving offer extensive customisation to suit your home’s character.

• Block paving patterns:
  
  • Herringbone for a timeless, structured look
  • Basket weave for a traditional finish
  • Stretcher bond for simplicity and elegance
    
    
• Resin bound colour options:
  
  • Single-tone aggregates for a uniform appearance
  • Mixed blends of contrasting stones for visual interest
  • Ability to incorporate logos or motifs with coloured resin inset

Block paving’s discrete joints create texture that complements period properties, while resin bound’s smooth finish suits modern and minimalist designs. Both can be paired with edging materials like natural stone or brick to frame your driveway beautifully.

Good Read: Resurface or Replace? A Homeowner’s Guide to Driveway Decisions

Cost Considerations

Budgeting for a driveway requires assessing both upfront and lifetime costs. While installation figures can vary locally, here’s a general comparison.

• Block paving:
  
  • Initial cost: Moderate, depending on block quality and pattern complexity.
  • Labour: Labour-intensive laying process increases installation time.
  • Long-term: Joint maintenance and resealing add to overall expense.
    
    
• Resin bound:
  
  • Initial cost: Often higher per square metre due to resin material costs.
  • Labour: Faster to install over a large area, reducing labour hours.
  • Long-term: Minimal maintenance equates to lower ongoing costs.

Considering lifespan, resin bound driveways can be cost-effective over 15–20 years of use, given their low maintenance. Block paving may need individual block replacement or joint work, pushing up maintenance budgets over time.

Environmental & Drainage Advantages

Modern homeowners increasingly prioritise sustainable solutions that manage surface water responsibly. Both materials offer environmental benefits, though via different mechanisms.

• Resin bound permeability: Rainwater filters directly through the stone-resin matrix into the sub-base, reducing runoff and supporting SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) compliance.
• Block paving drainage: Permeable block varieties or the use of narrow joints filled with gravel can facilitate water infiltration, though standard block paving needs additional drainage channels.

Resin bound’s inherent porosity helps prevent localised flooding and reduces pressure on municipal drains. Block paving can achieve similar results with the right design but may require planning for soakaways or permeable jointing materials.

Installation Process & Timescales

Knowing what to expect during construction helps you plan around disruption. Each method follows a staged approach but differs in duration and complexity.

• Block paving installation:
  
  1. Excavate to remove existing surface and soils.
  2. Lay a compacted hardcore and sharp sand sub-base.
  3. Position edge restraints before laying blocks in the chosen pattern.
  4. Brush in kiln-dried jointing sand and compact.

This process typically takes 3–5 days for an average two-car driveway, depending on weather and site access.

• Resin bound installation:
  
  1. Prepare and level the sub-base (or overlay existing permeable surfaces).
  2. Mix aggregate and resin to precise ratios.
  3. Trowel and level the mixture to the desired thickness.
  4. Allow 24–48 hours to cure before light use.
     

A driveway of similar size can be completed in 2–3 days, offering quicker return to use.

Choosing the Right Option for Your Home

Selecting between block paving vs resin driveways should reflect your priorities and property style. Consider these guiding factors.

• Budget and long-term costs: Balance initial installation against maintenance and lifespan.
• Aesthetic goals: Match materials to your home’s architecture—classic block patterns or modern seamless resin.
• Maintenance willingness: Opt for low-maintenance resin if you prefer minimal upkeep, or choose block paving if you don’t mind occasional joint work.
• Local planning requirements: Check SuDS regulations and permitted development rules in Bridgwater.

By weighing these factors alongside personal taste, you can confidently select a driveway that enhances both the function and the façade of your home.

Making Your Driveway Decision

Whether you favour the timeless charm of block paving or the sleek practicality of resin bound paving, choosing the right material hinges on your priorities for aesthetics, maintenance and cost. Both options deliver exceptional durability and kerb appeal when installed by experienced professionals.

Ready to transform your driveway? For expert installation and bespoke design advice, contact Ominiworks today for a free, no-obligation quotation and discover how we can bring your vision to life.