Why We Don’t Install Resin Bound Driveways in Edinburgh:

Written By Lisa Gillespie

Resin bound driveways have grown in popularity across the UK, and we’re regularly asked whether we install them. While resin bound surfaces can look smart in the right setting, we’ve made a considered decision not to install resin bound driveways in the projects we design and build.

This decision isn’t based on trends or aesthetics. It’s based on long-term performance, durability, and only recommending driveway solutions that offer genuine value for money in Scotland’s climate.

What Is a Resin Bound Driveway?:

A resin bound driveway is created by mixing natural aggregate with resin and laying it as a smooth, continuous surface. The finished driveway is permeable, meaning rainwater drains through the surface rather than running off.

When designed and installed under the right conditions, resin bound driveways can perform well. However, they are less forgiving than many homeowners realise — particularly in wet and variable Scottish weather.

Resin Bound Driveways and Scottish Ground Conditions:

Resin bound driveways form a rigid, continuous surface. As a result, they rely on consistent, stable support from the sub-base beneath.

By comparison, professional and well-executed block paving driveways and gravel stabilisation systems are flexible or segmented. This allows them to better tolerate:

  • Minor ground movement

  • Moisture variation

  • Freeze–thaw cycles

In Scottish gardens — where clay soils, higher water tables and persistent wet conditions are common — this flexibility can significantly improve long-term reliability.

Installation Conditions for Resin Bound Driveways:

Resin bound driveways are particularly sensitive during installation. For best results, they require:

  • A completely dry substrate

  • Stable temperatures (typically between 5°C and 25°C)

  • Low humidity

  • No rainfall during installation or curing

In Edinburgh, these conditions can be difficult to guarantee. Even during dry spells, overnight dew or high humidity can affect curing, while sudden weather changes increase installation risk.

This narrow installation window is one of the main reasons we don’t offer resin bound driveways as a standard solution.

Sub-Base Requirements for Resin Driveways:

A correctly constructed resin bound driveway typically requires:

  • Deeper excavation than block paving

  • A free-draining Type 3 sub-base

  • A porous asphalt or permeable concrete base if using a resin bonded system.

  • Carefully designed drainage and falls

This often results in higher costs and greater disruption. More importantly, long-term performance depends on every layer being installed correctly. If any part of the build-up is compromised, issues may only appear months or years later.

Resin Bound Driveways – Expectations vs Reality:

Resin bound driveways are often marketed as “25-year, maintenance-free” solutions. In ideal conditions, this can be achievable.

However, in wetter climates like Scotland, we more commonly see:

  • Reduced lifespan where conditions aren’t ideal

  • Repairs that are visible and difficult to blend

  • Uneven colour fading, particularly in shaded or damp areas

From decades of experience installing driveways in and around Edinburgh, we’ve found that alternative driveway materials often age more gracefully and are easier to maintain over time.

Our Approach to Driveway Design in Edinburgh:

Clients choose to work with us for honest advice, quality workmanship, and the best possible return on their investment. If we can’t confidently guarantee a driveway finish suitable for our conditions then we won’t recommend it.

That approach is based on experience and performance — not trends.

Driveway Alternatives We Recommend:

We specialise in driveway solutions that are proven to perform reliably in Scotland’s climate, including:

If you’re considering a new driveway in Edinburgh or the surrounding areas and would like clear, honest advice about what will work best for your property, we’d be happy to discuss your project.

Lisa Gillespie