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Resin bound or block paving? Compare the two most popular driveway materials head-to-head on cost, durability, maintenance, appearance, and drainage compliance.
Your driveway is the first thing visitors see when they arrive at your home, and it plays a significant role in kerb appeal and property value. The two most popular driveway materials in London and the South East are resin bound surfacing and block paving. Both are attractive, durable, and available in a range of colours and finishes, but they have different characteristics that make each more suitable for certain situations. This guide compares them across every important factor to help you make the right choice.
Resin bound surfacing is created by mixing natural aggregate (small stones) with a clear UV-stable resin and trowelling the mixture onto a prepared base. The result is a smooth, seamless surface with a natural, attractive appearance. Because the aggregate is fully coated in resin, the surface is permeable — water drains straight through it — which is a significant advantage for planning and drainage compliance. Resin bound surfaces are typically 15–18mm thick and are laid on top of an existing stable base such as concrete or tarmac.
Block paving consists of individual concrete or clay bricks (also called pavers or setts) laid in patterns on a sand and sub-base foundation. It is one of the most established and versatile driveway materials, available in a vast range of colours, shapes, sizes, and laying patterns. Block paving can be permeable if installed with wider joints and a porous sub-base, or standard if laid with tight joints and a traditional sub-base. It has been a popular choice for driveways in London for decades due to its durability and traditional appearance.
Resin bound driveways in London typically cost between £60 and £100 per square metre for the surface, though this assumes an existing suitable base. If a new concrete base is needed, add £40–£60 per square metre. Block paving costs between £70 and £120 per square metre fully installed, including the sub-base. For a typical London driveway of 40–50 square metres, you can expect to pay £3,000–£5,000 for a resin bound surface (on an existing base) or £3,500–£6,000 for block paving. When a new base is required for resin bound, costs are broadly similar.
Both materials are durable, but in different ways. A well-installed block paving driveway can last 25–50 years or more. Individual blocks that crack or stain can be easily replaced without disturbing the surrounding area. Block paving is also highly resistant to heavy vehicle loads and can flex slightly on its sand bed, which helps prevent cracking. Resin bound surfaces have a typical lifespan of 15–25 years. They are resistant to cracking and do not develop potholes, but the resin can degrade over time with UV exposure, and very heavy or sharp loads can cause surface damage.
Good to Know
Under current planning regulations, if you are replacing a driveway larger than 5 square metres with an impermeable surface, you need planning permission. Permeable surfaces — including resin bound and permeable block paving — are exempt from this requirement, making them the preferred choice for hassle-free installation.
Resin bound surfacing offers a contemporary, seamless look with a natural aggregate finish. Colours range from warm golds and honeys to cool greys and silvers, and different aggregate blends can be mixed to create custom colours. The smooth, flat surface gives driveways a clean, modern appearance that suits contemporary homes. Block paving offers far more design flexibility — with hundreds of colours, shapes, and sizes available, plus the ability to create patterns, borders, circles, and contrasting features. It suits both traditional and modern properties and can be matched to the style of the house.
Drainage is a critical consideration for driveways in London, where surface water flooding is an increasing concern. Resin bound surfacing is inherently permeable — water passes through the surface and into the sub-base below, where it either soaks into the ground or is channelled into a drainage system. This makes it automatically compliant with sustainable drainage (SuDS) requirements. Block paving can also be permeable if specified correctly, using wider joints, a permeable jointing compound, and a free-draining sub-base. Standard block paving with tight sand joints is not permeable.
Top Tip
If you choose block paving and want it to be permeable, specify permeable pavers from the outset. Standard block paving cannot be made permeable by simply widening the joints — the entire sub-base structure needs to be designed for water infiltration.
Choose resin bound if you want a low-maintenance, contemporary-looking driveway with built-in permeability. It is particularly well-suited to smaller driveways and properties with a modern aesthetic. Choose block paving if you want maximum design flexibility, a traditional look, or if your driveway needs to withstand very heavy use. Block paving is also the better choice if you want the ability to easily access underground services (pipes, cables) beneath the driveway, as individual blocks can be lifted and relaid. Both are excellent choices — the decision often comes down to personal taste and the style of your property.
Costs are broadly similar. Resin bound surfacing costs £60–£100 per square metre (assuming an existing base), while block paving costs £70–£120 per square metre fully installed. If a new base is needed for resin bound, the total cost is comparable to block paving. For a typical 40–50 sqm London driveway, expect to pay £3,000–£6,000 for either option.
If you are replacing more than 5 square metres with a non-permeable surface, you will need planning permission. However, permeable surfaces — including resin bound and permeable block paving — are exempt from this requirement. Choosing a permeable material is the easiest way to avoid the need for a planning application.
A well-installed resin bound driveway typically lasts 15–25 years, depending on use and UV exposure. Block paving generally lasts longer at 25–50 years, with the advantage that individual damaged blocks can be replaced. Both materials offer good longevity when properly installed and maintained.
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