For many commercial projects, resin surfacing can be worth the investment because it combines durability, relatively low maintenance, design flexibility and, in the case of a correctly constructed resin bound system, permeability.
However, whether resin represents good value depends on the application. The condition of the substrate, expected traffic, required lifespan, drainage, maintenance and installation requirements all need to be considered alongside the initial cost.
For main contractors, developers, local authorities and specifiers, the best way to assess resin surfacing is therefore to consider its whole-life value rather than simply comparing installation costs per square metre.
Is resin surfacing cost-effective for commercial projects?
Resin surfacing can provide a cost-effective solution for commercial projects where appearance, durability and relatively low ongoing maintenance are important.
There is no universal resin surfacing cost per square metre. Commercial installation costs vary according to:
- Size of the project
- Existing substrate and preparation required
- Resin system and aggregate specification
- Required installation depth
- Pedestrian or vehicle loading
- Site access
- Drainage requirements
- Installation programme
A pedestrian footpath through a housing development, for example, will require a different specification from a surface exposed to regular vehicle traffic.
This is why comparing resin surfacing with asphalt, block paving or concrete based solely on the initial £/m² price can give a misleading picture of its true value.
What is the difference between resin bound and resin bonded surfacing?
Resin bound and resin bonded are two different surfacing systems and shouldn’t be specified interchangeably.
With resin bound surfacing, aggregate and resin are mixed before being applied to the prepared surface and hand-trowelled to create a smooth, seamless finish. When installed over a suitable permeable base, the complete resin bound construction can allow water to drain through the surface.
With resin bonded surfacing, resin is applied to the prepared substrate before aggregate is scattered across it. The result is a more textured surface with the appearance of loose aggregate but without loose gravel moving around the site.
The most appropriate option depends on the project’s intended use, required appearance, drainage strategy and performance requirements.
How long does commercial resin surfacing last?
A correctly specified and professionally installed resin surface can provide many years of service, but there isn’t a single lifespan that applies to every commercial installation.
The longevity of resin surfacing depends on factors including:
- Substrate construction and condition
- Quality of installation
- Type and frequency of traffic
- Loading requirements
- Drainage
- Resin and aggregate specification
- Ongoing cleaning and maintenance
Correct specification is therefore essential.
A resin surface designed for pedestrian traffic should not be expected to perform under frequent heavy vehicle loading unless the complete construction has been designed accordingly.
Investing in the correct substrate and resin specification from the outset can reduce the risk of premature deterioration and expensive remedial work later.
Is resin surfacing low maintenance?
Resin surfacing is generally considered a relatively low-maintenance commercial paving option.
Routine sweeping removes leaves, dirt and debris, while periodic cleaning can help maintain its appearance. Spillages and contaminants should be addressed appropriately, and drainage should be kept clear.
The seamless finish of resin bound paving also means there are fewer joints than conventional unit paving.
On large public realm schemes, housing developments, commercial estates and pedestrian routes, reducing the level of routine maintenance required across substantial areas can contribute to the whole-life value of the surface.
Does installation speed make resin more cost-effective?
Installation time can have a significant impact on the overall cost of a commercial surfacing project.
Closing pedestrian routes, restricting vehicle access, implementing traffic management or delaying other contractors can all add costs beyond the price of the surface itself.
Experienced commercial resin surfacing contractors can install substantial areas efficiently, helping main contractors coordinate surfacing within wider construction programmes.
When comparing different paving systems, it can therefore be useful to consider programme time and disruption as well as material and installation costs.
Is resin bound surfacing permeable?
Resin bound surfacing can form part of a permeable paving system when it is installed over an appropriate permeable base.
The open structure of a correctly installed resin bound surface allows water to pass through it. However, specifying resin bound surfacing alone does not automatically make the complete construction permeable.
The substrate and underlying construction must also allow water to drain appropriately.
This distinction is particularly important for developers, architects and landscape architects considering resin bound paving as part of a sustainable drainage strategy.
Where is commercial resin surfacing commonly used?
The combination of performance and appearance makes resin surfacing suitable for a wide variety of commercial and public environments.
Typical applications include:
- Housing developments
- Public realm schemes
- Parks and green spaces
- Pedestrian footpaths
- Commercial developments
- Schools and educational sites
- Heritage environments
- Visitor attractions
- Courtyards and landscaped spaces
- Cycle and pedestrian routes
Different applications may require different resin systems, installation depths, substrates and aggregates, so the intended use should always form part of the specification process.
Is resin surfacing better than asphalt or block paving?
There isn’t one surfacing material that is best for every commercial project.
Resin bound, resin bonded, asphalt, block paving and concrete each have different advantages.
Asphalt can be particularly effective where cost, large-scale installation and vehicle loading are priorities. Block paving can provide a traditional appearance and individual units can be replaced. Concrete can provide significant strength for suitable applications.
Resin surfacing becomes particularly attractive where a project requires a combination of appearance, design flexibility, relatively low maintenance and a seamless finish.
Resin bound paving can provide the additional advantage of permeability where the entire construction has been designed as a permeable system.
The correct choice should therefore be based on the performance requirements of the project rather than appearance or initial price alone.
What can cause resin surfacing to fail?
Poor resin surfacing performance is often associated with problems beyond the visible resin layer itself.
Potential causes can include:
- An unsuitable or unstable substrate
- Incorrect preparation
- Inappropriate specification for the expected loading
- Poor drainage
- Incorrect installation
- Unsuitable materials
- Movement or failure within the underlying construction
This is why substrate assessment and preparation are so important on commercial projects.
A high-quality resin system installed over an unsuitable base is unlikely to deliver the expected long-term performance.
When might resin not be the right surfacing solution?
Resin isn’t automatically the best choice for every commercial application.
Projects involving particular loading requirements, unsuitable substrates or areas where the aesthetic and permeability benefits of resin provide little additional value may be better suited to an alternative system.
A commercial surfacing contractor should therefore consider the site’s intended use, expected traffic, substrate, drainage requirements, desired appearance, programme and budget before recommending a system.
Is resin surfacing worth the investment?
For many commercial, housing development and public realm projects, resin surfacing can provide excellent whole-life value when the correct system is specified and professionally installed.
Its value isn’t simply determined by its initial installation cost.
Durability, maintenance, installation efficiency, appearance, drainage requirements and expected service life should all form part of the decision.
For some projects, asphalt, concrete or another surfacing system may be more appropriate. For others, the combination of performance and finish provided by resin bound or resin bonded surfacing can make the additional initial investment worthwhile.
The important question isn’t simply “How much does resin surfacing cost?”
It is “Which surfacing solution will deliver the best value and performance over the life of this project?”
Commercial resin surfacing from HMS
HMS Decorative Surfacing works with main contractors, developers, local authorities, landscaping contractors and many other commercial surfacing applications to deliver specialist surfacing projects across the UK.
Our experience covers resin bound paving, resin bonded surfacing, high-friction surfacing, Decra®Flex and specialist EPDM safety surfacing, allowing the most appropriate solution to be considered for the requirements of each project.
From specification considerations through to installation, our team can help determine the right approach for commercial developments, public realm schemes, footpaths, housing developments and other specialist surfacing applications.
Planning a commercial surfacing project? Contact us to discuss the most appropriate surfacing solution for your site.
