Resin bound vs resin bonded
| Resin bound | Resin bonded | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is laid | Stone and resin mixed, then trowelled out | Resin applied to base, stone scattered over the top |
| Permeable | Yes — SUDS-compliant | No — it is a sealed surface |
| Planning | Normally permitted development at any size | Impermeable, so over 5m² generally needs run-off managed or permission |
| Surface feel | Smooth and flat | Rough and textured, like coarse sandpaper |
| Loose stone | None — every stone is coated and bound | Sheds stone over time as the surface bond wears |
| Depth | Laid to a designed depth, typically 15–18mm | A single scattered layer of stone |
| Best used for | Driveways, patios, paths | Ramps and steep slopes where extra grip matters |
The differences that actually matter
They are genuinely different products with similar names
This causes more confusion than any other question we get asked, and it matters because the names are nearly identical while the products are not. Resin bound is a mixed surface: the aggregate goes into a forced-action mixer with the resin so every stone is completely coated, then the mix is trowelled out to a designed depth. The result is solid all the way through, with tiny designed voids between the stones that let water pass. Resin bonded is a scatter coat: resin is spread on the base, loose stone is thrown onto it, and the excess is swept off once it cures. Only the underside of each stone is stuck down.
Only one of them is permeable, and that is the important bit
Because resin bonded starts with a continuous layer of resin sealing the base, the finished surface is impermeable — water runs off it. Resin bound is permeable by design. That is not a minor specification difference. In England a permeable front driveway normally falls within permitted development whatever its size, while more than five square metres of impermeable surfacing generally requires either managed run-off or planning permission. If someone quotes you resin bonded for a large front driveway, that is a question worth asking.
How to tell which one you are being quoted
Ask two questions. Is it permeable or SUDS-compliant? Bound is, bonded is not. And what depth is it laid to? Resin bound is laid at a designed depth, typically around 15 to 18mm for a driveway; resin bonded is a single layer of scattered stone and has no meaningful depth spec. If the answer to the first is vague and the second is not a number, you are probably being quoted bonded. Run your hand over a sample too: bound is smooth, bonded feels like coarse sandpaper.
When resin bonded is the right choice
Resin bonded is not a bad product — it is a different one. Its rough surface texture gives real slip resistance, which makes it a sensible choice for steep ramps, sloped access and some commercial walkways where grip matters more than smoothness or drainage.
It is also cheaper, and on a small, well-drained area where permeability is not an issue that can be a reasonable trade. What it should not be is a substitute for resin bound on a large front driveway, sold on the basis that the names sound alike.