Your driveway is one of the first things people notice about your home. It sets the tone for your property’s kerb appeal and takes a daily beating from vehicles, weather, and foot traffic. So when it’s time to resurface, the choice of material matters enormously. The three most popular options remain block paving, tarmac, and resin bound surfacing, but they are far from equal in performance, appearance, or long-term value.
This guide breaks down the key differences and explains why a growing number of homeowners are choosing resin bound as their preferred tarmac alternative or block paving comparison benchmark.
A quick block paving comparison
Block paving has long been a popular choice, and for good reason it looks attractive when newly laid and offers a degree of flexibility if individual blocks need replacing. However, block paving comes with notable drawbacks over time. The joints between blocks are prime territory for weed growth, requiring regular weeding or chemical treatment. Over years of use, blocks can shift, sink, or develop an uneven surface as the sub-base settles. Cleaning and re-sanding the joints is an ongoing maintenance task that adds to the cost of ownership. A decorative resin drive, by contrast, presents a seamless surface with no joints for weeds to exploit and no individual units to shift or sink.
Why more homeowners are switching to Resin Flooring
Tarmac is often chosen for its affordability and speed of installation. It’s a robust, weather-resistant driveway material in its basic form but it has limitations that quickly become apparent. Standard tarmac is not permeable, which means water pools on the surface or runs off into drainage systems and neighbouring land. Planning regulations in England now require that any new or significantly altered driveway over a certain size must be permeable or drain to a soakaway and tarmac fails this test unless specifically modified. Aesthetically, tarmac offers little: typically a flat black surface that fades and can soften in extreme heat. As a tarmac alternative, resin bound surfacing addresses every one of these weaknesses.
SUDS compliance and permeability
One of the most important practical advantages of resin bound surfacing is its status as a SUDS compliant driveway. SUDS stands for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems a government-led initiative to reduce surface water run-off and the associated risk of flooding. Resin bound surfaces are porous by nature: water passes directly through the surface and into the sub-base, allowing natural drainage. This eliminates the need for additional drainage channels in most residential applications and means the installation typically falls within permitted development rights without planning permission. Block paving and tarmac, unless specially designed and installed with permeable joints and bases, do not meet this standard without additional engineering work.
Weed resistance and low maintenance
A weed-resistant surface is one of the most frequently cited reasons homeowners choose resin over alternatives. Because resin bound aggregate is mixed and applied as a single, seamless layer, there are no gaps, joints, or cracks for weed seeds to take hold.
Resin bound driveways also resist moss and algae more effectively, particularly when installed on a well-prepared sub-base with adequate drainage. The cleaning regime is simple: an occasional pressure wash is all that’s needed to keep the surface looking its best.
Durability and resistance to cracking
Resin driveway benefits extend well beyond aesthetics they include a genuinely strong driveway finish that performs under pressure. Because the resin binder is flexible, it can accommodate minor movement in the sub-base without cracking. Tarmac, while initially flexible, becomes brittle over time and is susceptible to cracking as the sub-base moves through seasonal temperature changes.
Block paving can crack under heavy loads and is especially vulnerable at the edges. A properly installed resin bound surface, laid over a structurally sound base, offers a long-lasting driveway that resists the surface cracking and edge deterioration that plague both alternatives. UV-stable resins also prevent the yellowing and fading that affects lesser-quality installations.
Call in the Experts
Whether you’re drawn to the smooth, contemporary look or the practical benefits of drainage compliance and minimal upkeep, a resin bound driveway delivers on every front. The key is ensuring the job is done right with quality materials, a properly prepared base, and experienced hands doing the work. If you’re looking for expert resin driveway installers look no further than Reilly Resin Flooring. They provide resin driveways and paths across Somerset including: