Resin bonded or resin bound shingle is an ideal paving choice when you want to have the decorative look of shingle, but without the problems associated with loose stones.
By adhering the shingle to a sub-layer, you will no longer have the problems of these small stones getting caught in footwear and being walked through the house and garden. Or the stones piling in certain areas and leaving bald patches in others. Instead you are left with a smooth, even decorative layer on your paths and driveways.
You can choose from a wide range of natural stone, and even mix aggregates together to create a unique look for your garden. The construction of this type of surface also means it’s fairly resistant to weeds and relatively low-maintenance (just needing leaves and debris brushing from it on a regular basis). It also doesn’t fade in sunlight and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.
Overall, this type of surfacing system is incredibly versatile and easy to scale to suit the size and budget of any project.
If you’re thinking of a shingle path or driveway for your garden, there are two options available.
Resin Bound Shingle
Resin bound (or “trowelled”) shingle is permeable paving created by coating your chosen stone with a special clear glue (a UV-stable polyurethane resin) to form a cold-pour mixture. This mixture is then poured and hand-trowelled to form a smooth, consistent surface with no loose stones.
Advantages of resin bound shingle:
- Smooth and seamless finish suitable for paths and driveways.
- Porous system that allows for water to drain away, making it SuDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) compliant.
- Can be installed at a range of depths from 12mm-40mm.
- Wide range of natural and decorative colour options that can be blended for unique design.
- Needs very little maintenance and upkeep.
- Hand application ensures a high quality end result.
Resin Bonded Shingle
Resin bonded (or “scattercoat”) shingle is different in that glue is applied to a base surface, your chosen stone is then scattered across the base to produce a textured finish that is similar to loose gravel. However, this system needs to be laid on a non-porous base such as concrete, which creates a non-permeable surface that requires additional drainage to be built in.
Advantages of resin bonded shingle:
- Textured finish provides good grip and anti-slip qualities.
- Suitable for driveways and paths on a slope that need extra grip for vehicles and pedestrians.
- Wide range of coloured stones available.
- Fewer maintenance requirements than loose gravel.
Disadvantages:
- Not as durable as resin bound paving as the bonded stones may become lose over time.
- Texture makes it slightly more difficult to clean and maintain.
- The abrasive surface makes it less suitable for areas predominantly used by children.
- Requires additional drainage to prevent flooding.
If you’d like to find out more about any of the above paving options for your landscaping scheme, please feel free to give us a call at Thames Valley Landscapes and we’d be happy to discuss options with you. You can speak to a member of our team on 01628 629720 or send us a message.
