Do resin driveways fade?

Resin driveways are a very popular option when it comes to an inexpensive alternative to gravel driveways or block paving. They have a range of benefits, and are loved by many.

But one of the most common questions about resin bound driveways is whether resin driveways fade.

If you're wondering whether your resin driveways will fade over time, here's all that you need to know with tips from Guardian Resin in Darlington.

What is a resin driveway?

A resin bound driveway is a driveway made from a mixture of aggregates and resin. The resin bound surface is permeable, meaning that water can seep through it rather than pooling on the resin driveway.

Resin bound driveways can come in a broad range of colours, and can be installed fairly quickly and inexpensively. They are great for driveways and anywhere else you would use block paving, and can be installed on top of concrete driveways.

Do resin bound driveways fade?

As with most coloured items, resin bound driveways with lots of colour are likely to fade over time. This can be prevented to some extent, and with the help of those with experience installing resin driveways, you can choose a resin colour that is less likely to fade.

Why will a resin bound driveway fade?

A resin driveway will fade overtime simply because of the constant exposure to UV sunlight. Resin driveways, like most things with colour, will lose their colour slowly as the UV hits them.

Not all resin driveways will have this issue, there are some colours that do not fade as much and you can invest in UV resistant resin for your resin driveway to help to maintain the colour.

What are the benefits of a resin bound driveway?

So if the resin driveway might fade over time, what is the point in getting resin bound surfaces installed? Why not opt for something like concrete?

Well there is a reason why they say resin driveways are the best type, there are a range of benefits to installing resin driveways when installed properly. For example:

A resin driveway is a low cost option

Resin bound driveways are much cheaper than alternative methods of block paving. The process is relatively quick, so labour costs are minimal, and the materials used are not super costly. This means that resin bonded surfaces are accessible for those with less money available.

Resin bound surfaces are easy to maintain

Resin driveways and garden edging do not take much maintenance. They need to be cleaned regularly using a stiff broom and a pressure washer, and stains should be treated as and when they form, but this is considered to be very minimal maintenance.

As long as resin driveways are installed well, they will only need to be healthy once a month or less to keep them looking prim and proper.

Resin driveways are permeable

The nature of resin bound paving allows water to run through the driveway materials. This means that resin driveways are less prone to flood and are also weed resistant, moss resistant and easy to keep dry. So long as resin driveway maintenance is kept on top of, resin bound surfacing should be free from pooling water, weeds and growth.

A resin driveway will last

Resin bound paving lasts really well. While it might fade slightly, the material itself is really resilient. As a result, the resin surface can last as long as 20 years. In some situations, where the resin drives are taken care of properly, you might even find that the resin bonded block paving can last as long as 25 years.

Resin block paving does not have loose stones

Resin driveways can give the impression of a gravel driveway without having the maintenance that comes it. Where gravel moves about and leaves the drive, your new driveway will not have any moving parts.

What are the cons of a resin bound driveway?

That all being said, there are a few negatives to resin, like the fact that it may fade over time. Other negatives about a resin driveway are:

There aren't any regulations about resin

With the resin construction stage is unfortunately not very well regulated, and as a result there are a number of inexperienced installers who claim to know what they're doing. It is important when looking at having a resin driveway fitted to check the company you're hiring closely before starting the process.

Stains may form

While resin is weed resistant and permeable, it is not resistant to stains. Thing like tyre marks and oil can mark up the resin driveway fairly easily. These can be unsightly, and for some may people this may be enough to deter them from getting resin.

Fortunately, with a pressure washer and a degreaser, these stains can be removed pretty simply!

Not great for heavy traffic

If you're going to have a lot of vehicles on the resin on a regular basis, as opposed to one or two ordinary cars, you may need to reinforce the driveway with wood.

Resin driveways are not designed to hold their own against heavy vehicles, and if subjected to too much weight the resin may chip, dent and break.

To protect it, simply use wooden planks to ease the weight that is directly onto the resin's surface. This will help you to maintain your resin driveway.

Is resin worth it?

The short answer is yes. While resin does fade over time, most things will if left in the sun. There are vastly more benefits to resin driveways than negatives, and since they are quick and inexpensive to install, they work well for the average working person.

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Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and the luxury interior design blog All The Pretty Homes in 2024.

When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.