Resin-bound solutions are becoming an increasingly popular option for housebuilders looking to enhance the outside appearance of the front of a property. These resin-bound solutions are not just visually appealing, but also functional and require low maintenance, making them a go-to choice for a longlasting, durable result.

Resin-bound solutions can be used for many different outdoor spaces, including driveways, patios, and pathways, to create a cohesive and seamless look across the property’s exterior.

Below, John Pearce, Co-Director at Oltco, an award-winning supplier and installer of sustainable resinbound driveways, patios, pathways, and more, explains why resin-bound driveways should be the top choice for housebuilders in 2024 and beyond.

What is a Resin-Bound Driveway?
A resin-bound driveway is a surface made from a blend of gravel and stone aggregates coated with clear UV-stable polyurethane resin, resulting in a seamless and smooth finish that prevents puddles, loose stones, and chippings. At Oltco, we are big believers that driveways play a crucial role in setting the tone of a property, showcasing homeowners’ individual styles and preferences. Choosing a resin-bound driveway not only offers a permeable surface but also enhances the overall look of a property’s exterior, often increasing the value of the home.

What are the Benefits?
Resin-bound driveways are a popular choice for their permeability, durability, and low maintenance requirements, resulting in a sleek finish. There are many advantages to opting for a resin-bound driveway, making it an excellent and costeffective option for housebuilders.

Firstly, resin-bound driveways do not require planning permission, which allows housebuilders to easily create a driveway that complements the property. The flexibility of the solution enables it to be moulded into various shapes and designs, resulting in an attractive look. Resin-bound surfaces are safe, seamless, and non-slip, making them ideal for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and bicycles, without any uneven slabs that are prone for causing trips, slips and falls. They can withstand up to 400 tonnes per square metre, making them suitable for even heavy vehicles like buses and lorries.

Additionally, resin-bound surfaces are SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) compliant. The porous nature of the materials used in the solution encourages easy and quick drainage of water, reducing weed growth and maintaining a neat appearance. This also reduces slip hazards during extreme weather conditions by minimising excess water.

Another significant benefit is that resinbound driveways are low maintenance. The resin bound is easy to clean, and dirt and grime can be quickly removed with a jet wash, helping to maintain a fresh and aesthetic appearance. Due to the resin technology, resin solutions are also suggested to last for up to twenty-five years, whilst also helping to enhance the kerb appeal of a property, which is really important in increasing the value of the home and making it more attractive to potential buyers.

What Differentiates Resin-Bound Driveways from Usual Gravel and Concrete Driveways?
There are many driveway surface options to choose from, ranging from gravel and concrete to tarmac. Resin-bound solutions stand out when compared to traditional driveway surfaces as they are more permeable and offer an appealing and long-lasting finish.

The resin-bound solution mixture is highly resistant to cracks and UV rays, unlike gravel and concrete driveways, which are prone to cracking and loose stones, demanding extensive maintenance. This makes resin-bound solutions a convenient and durable choice not only for driveways but also for various outdoor areas like footpaths and patios. Moreover, these solutions can be personalised with diverse colour blends to enhance the property’s aesthetics, whether aiming for a traditional or contemporary look.

Recycle Bound
Recycle Bound is Oltco’s award-winning innovation, designed for housebuilders and property developers seeking a highly sustainable and durable driveway solution. It is made from a blend of stone and recycled plastic, which includes plastic straws, drink bottles, and food packaging. The waste plastic is sourced from recycling centres, and each square metre of Recycle Bound uses the equivalent of 3,000 plastic straws, making it an exceptionally eco-friendly option. Recycle Bound has been developed to be even stronger than other available resin-bound solutions, having a higher tensile strength, able to withstand even the heaviest of vehicles. It has all of the same permeable properties as traditional resin-bound; however, the solution has a melting point of 250 degrees, meaning that the plastic will not melt in the same way as alternatives like tarmac, even if the UK were to have a heatwave.

Oltco is available across the UK and is the country’s leading sustainable resinbound flooring company offering solutions for driveways, pool surrounds, balconies, patios, stairs, car parks, and footpaths. CLICK HERE for more information.

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Take a Load Off

In the housebuilding industry, drainage is commonly misunderstood, especially when it comes to load class. Here, Rob Butcher, Design Services Manager at ACO House & Garden, discusses why load class is a fundamental aspect of a drainage system’s longevity and how developers can ensure they are specifying the right drainage for the job.

Something often seen on housing developments is broken drainage channels. Many of these are damaged from traffic anticipated use, with the root cause of the problem being that the wrong product was originally specified. In these cases, drainage channels are likely to sustain serious damage as traffic bears down on them, beyond the weight limit they were designed to withstand.

The load class of any drainage channel must be based on anticipated use, whether by pedestrians, lorries, or something in between. Each project is different and a high number of factors can impact which load class is correct. To ensure drivers and pedestrians are kept safe and drainage is properly provided for, it is always best to consult with a drainage expert to get the right solution for the job.

Size and speed
In developments where commercial vehicles are expected, it may be best to specify C 250 drainage channels as these can handle a certain size of commercial vehicle as well as cars and anything lighter. If traffic in the area is anticipated to be moving quickly, it generally recommended to use a monolithic drainage channel. Fast moving traffic impacts channel drains with more force than slower traffic, meaning there is increased risk of the grating coming loose from the channel. A monolithic channel is a single piece, with the grating and channel as one unit which can lower the risks associated with fast traffic, making the environment safer for vehicles and pedestrians.

Where the channel and grating are separate components, it is important to keep in mind that the load class is determined by both components fitting together correctly. This can be a problem when gratings and channels from different manufacturers are combined. When this happens, the load class rating can become void. For instance, a C 250 grating with a C 250 channel form a different provider will not necessarily make a C 250 system. It is because of these nuances that it is so important to bring experts on board for any project where drainage is an element.

Failed Grating and Channel on Driveway

Online tools of the trade
It is vital to get load class right for the safety of people who use the final project. Along with the load classes of drainage components, housebuilders need to consider their capacity as well. Without sufficient capacity, the channels will simply overflow and lead to flooding whenever an especially heavy rainfall event occurs. Accounting for the needed capacity will ensure designs meet the needs of the finished development.

Digital design tools and technology can be a vital resource in this regard. Software such as InfoDrainage or Causeway Flow can be used in conjunction with QuAD, ACO’s online Channel Design software. With these tools, it is possible to incorporate and fully exploit the capacity provided from linear drainage channels within a whole site drainage model.

Ensuring a thorough understanding of the products, tools, and advice available is the first step to properly specified, longlasting drainage. Consulting with drainage experts such as those at ACO will equip housebuilders and property developers with the knowledge and solutions needed to deliver effective drainage systems for all of their projects.

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Dura Products has added a low-profile, low-cost eco-friendly unit to its range of standard recycled and recyclable heavy duty linear surface drainage systems.

Durachannel 160 has been designed to suit mainstream applications such as roads or any surface or structure requiring efficient linear drainage.

A shallow depth injection moulded D400 linear unit manufactured with high recycled plastic content, Durachannel 160’s monolithic design ensures full integration with surrounding structures, eradicating issues to pedestrians and road users caused by missing, loose or dislodged gratings.

The system is designed to drain surfaces and structures quickly and safely through dual, heel friendly slots across the whole length of the channel line. Access and outfall units enable easy jetting and general maintenance while its size at 500mm x 187mm x 160mm and weight at 4.5kg means it can be lifted without the need for machinery.

Environmental Product Declarations (are now available for all Dura systems. Durachannel is CE marked (EN1433-D400) and meets the requirements of IAN117/08 Rev 2.

Find out more about Durachannel and download the technical brochure

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