Choose your system
Resin Surfacing Installation
Three different resin systems, three different jobs. Bound, bonded and permeable surfaces look similar in a brochure and behave very differently in reality. This page explains the difference so you can work out which one you actually need — before anyone quotes you.
Start here
Bound, bonded or permeable?
Most confusion in this trade — and most mismatched quotes — comes from these three systems being used interchangeably when they are not. The differences are real: they change drainage, texture, grip, cost, and whether you need planning permission. Here is the honest comparison.
Most homeowners arriving here are ultimately after a driveway — if that’s you, our resin bound driveways page covers that application end to end.
The three systems, compared honestly
Resin Bound
Aggregate mixed through the resin and trowelled flat.
- Smooth, seamless finish
- Fully permeable — water drains through
- No loose stones
- The usual choice for driveways and patios
Choose this if you want the best-looking, lowest-maintenance surface and good drainage.
Resin Bonded
Loose stone scattered onto a resin layer.
- Rough, high-grip texture
- Not permeable — needs separate drainage
- Some loose stone over time
- Best for slopes, ramps and footpaths
Choose this if grip is the priority — a steep drive, a ramp, a commercial walkway.
Permeable Systems
A bound surface built on a fully draining base.
- Water soaks through the whole build-up
- SuDS-compliant by design
- Usually avoids planning permission
- Right for poor drainage or flood-prone sites
Choose this if drainage, SuDS compliance or planning permission is the deciding factor.
FAQs
Choosing between the systems
If I’m not sure, which is usually right?
For a domestic driveway or patio, resin bound is the default and the one most people mean when they say ‘resin driveway’. Bonded and permeable systems are chosen for specific reasons — grip, or drainage — rather than as general-purpose surfaces.
Are quotes for bound and bonded comparable?
No, and this catches people out. They are different systems with different costs and different performance. If two quotes differ sharply, check they are for the same system before assuming one is better value.
Does the system affect planning permission?
It can. A genuinely permeable build drains water on site and usually falls under permitted development. A non-permeable surface that sheds water onto the road often needs permission. We confirm this at survey.
Can you advise which I need?
That’s exactly what the free site survey is for. We look at your ground, drainage, gradient and how the surface will be used, then recommend the system that suits — not the one that suits us.
Not sure which system you need?
Tell us about your space and we’ll recommend the right one, with a fixed written quote and no obligation.