Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, including the ones that involve saying "it depends" and explaining on what.
How much does a resin bound driveway cost in Lowestoft?
It depends on area, access, how much excavation is needed, the condition of any existing surface, edge details and the resin grade, so this site does not publish a per-square-metre rate that would only mislead. Larger areas cost less per square metre than small ones, and an overlay on a sound base costs less than a full dig-out. The way to get a real figure is a site visit and a written quote from the local installer, which carries no obligation.
Do I need planning permission for a resin driveway?
Usually not. Since 2008, covering more than five square metres of front garden with an impermeable surface needs planning permission, but permeable surfacing such as a properly built resin bound drive normally falls within permitted development. Parts of Lowestoft sit in conservation areas, including the South Lowestoft and Kirkley Conservation Area, where extra controls can apply, so it is worth checking with East Suffolk Council if that includes your street. The SuDS page covers the rules in detail.
Is resin bound surfacing really permeable?
The resin bound layer itself is genuinely porous: water drains between the coated stones. Whether the whole driveway is permeable depends on what is underneath. Over an open-graded stone sub-base, rain soaks through the full build-up into the ground. Over old sealed concrete, water passes through the resin and then has to be routed to a soakaway or permeable area instead. A straight quote states which build-up is being priced.
How long does installation take?
A typical domestic driveway takes between two and five days: longer where there is a full excavation and base build-up, shorter for an overlay on a sound existing surface. Resin cannot be laid in rain or onto a damp base, so the schedule always carries a weather caveat, which matters on this stretch of coast.
How soon can I walk or drive on it?
As a rule of thumb the surface takes foot traffic after about 24 hours and vehicles after 48 to 72 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. The installer confirms timings for your job when it is booked in.
How does resin cope with salt air and coastal weather?
Well, provided it is specified for the location. Salt does not attack a cured resin bound surface, and wind-blown sand sweeps off a bound, even finish rather than lodging in joints. The genuine coastal risk is ultraviolet light: cheaper aromatic resins yellow in strong sun, so on exposed frontages in Lowestoft, Pakefield and Kessingland a UV-stable aliphatic resin is the right specification, and the quote should name it.
Who actually carries out the work?
Not this website. This site is an introduction service: your enquiry is passed to one vetted independent local installer, who quotes for the work, carries it out under their own name and holds the contract with you. The about page explains the arrangement in full.
What maintenance does a resin drive need?
An occasional sweep and a rinse, with a light pressure wash once or twice a year if you want it looking fresh. There are no joints to re-sand and no loose gravel to rake. Moss can gain a footing in permanently shaded damp corners, and treating it early keeps it trivial.
Can resin be laid over my existing concrete or tarmac drive?
Often, if the existing surface is structurally sound, reasonably level and not cracked through. An overlay saves excavation cost and mess, but it raises levels, which must stay below the damp proof course on older houses, and it changes the drainage design. Where the base has failed, an honest installer will say so and price a rebuild instead. See the renovation page.