+44 7480 56989007834 619294millponddevelopments@gmail.com Cheltenham · GL51 3JTMon – Fri · 9am – 5pm AboutServices Areas Our WorkContact+44 7480 569890Request Quote Resin Bound Surfaces · Cheltenham & the Cotswolds # Resin Bound Surfaces in CheltenhamSeamless. Permeable.Built on the right base. UV-stable polyurethane resin trowel-applied over a structurally sound base, creating a single seamless, fully permeable surface with no joints, weeds or puddles. The finish is only as good as what's underneath - which is where most installs fail and where we don't. Request Free Quote +44 7480 569890 Experienced installers of SureSet, RonaDeck and Daltex aggregates. UV-stable resin only - no aliphatic shortcuts. - - Services - Resin Bound Surfaces 15+ Years experience 400+ Projects completed 5 yr Workmanship guarantee Fully insured Fully insured Free Response time Overview ## What resin bound surfaces actually involves - and when it's the right call. ### What it is Resin bound surfacing is a mix of clear UV-stable polyurethane resin and dried, kiln-dried aggregate (1–3mm typical), trowel-applied at 15–18mm thickness over a structurally competent base. Water passes straight through to the base below - making it the simplest way to meet SuDS compliance on a driveway without ground excavation drama. ### Who it's for Homeowners wanting a contemporary, joint-free surface that doesn't look like a 'driveway' - particularly suited to period properties where block paving would feel wrong, modern architecture wanting clean lines, and any project needing SuDS compliance without retrofitting drainage. ### When it's needed Resurfacing a structurally sound tarmac or concrete drive that has worn, overlaying a sound block-paved drive (with caveats), or as the finished surface on a new build over a properly-installed open-graded base. ### Why professional installation matters Resin failures are almost always one of three things: wrong resin (aromatic browns in UV), wrong base (cracks telegraph through within months), or wrong installer (cold-day application, wet aggregate, or rushed mix ratios). Professional install means UV-stable aliphatic resin, verified base, controlled mix and weather-window discipline. The cost of getting it wrong ## What happens when this job is delayed - or done badly. Resin bound has a deserved reputation for premature failure when installed by general contractors without specific training. The product is unforgiving in three respects - base condition, weather window, and resin chemistry - and almost every rescue job we attend has failed on at least one of them. ### Yellowing and UV degradation Aromatic (cheaper) polyurethane resins yellow and chalk within 12–24 months in UK sunlight. Only aliphatic UV-stable resin should be used externally — the cost difference is small, the visual difference is total. ### Crack reflection from the base Resin is a 15–18mm overlay, not a structural layer. Any movement in the base (cracked concrete, failing tarmac, unsupported block paving) telegraphs through within one freeze-thaw cycle. ### Loose aggregate and stone-loss Wrong mix ratio (typically resin-starved), damp aggregate at mix time, or application below 5°C or above 25°C all cause incomplete cure. Stones lift, walk into the house, and bald patches appear. ### Common mistakes we see on rescue jobs - Installing resin over a sound-looking but structurally tired base without core-sampling. - Using aromatic resin to win on price - guaranteed yellow within two summers. - Mixing in a forced-action mixer at the wrong ratio or for the wrong time. - Applying in temperatures below 5°C or rain forecast within 12 hours. - Skipping the SBR primer over concrete - debonding follows within months. - No edging or restraint at the perimeter, allowing freeze-thaw to lift the edges first. The Millpond Process ## A defined, documented process from first visit to handover. - 01 ### Base assessment Core-sample or visually verify the existing base. If unsound, full excavation and new open-graded macadam base is quoted - never overlaid blind. - 02 ### Preparation Power-wash, fix defects, install perimeter edging or upstands, prime with SBR (over concrete) or appropriate primer for the substrate. - 03 ### Mixing Aggregate and aliphatic UV-stable resin batched and mixed in a forced-action mixer for the manufacturer-specified time at correct ambient temperature. - 04 ### Trowel application Material laid at consistent 15–18mm depth, smoothed with trowels and spiked rollers to remove trowel marks. No joints, no breaks in the surface. - 05 ### Cure & handover Foot traffic after 4–6 hours; vehicle traffic after 24–48 hours depending on resin and temperature. Care guide and 5-year workmanship guarantee at handover. What you actually get ## Specific, measurable outcomes - not promises. ### Fully SuDS-compliant Water passes through the surface and base to ground - no planning permission required regardless of driveway size. ### Seamless finish No joints, no patterns, no edges to weed or weather. A single continuous surface that flows around obstacles. ### Custom colour and aggregate blend Hundreds of natural and recycled aggregates available - from Cotswold honey-stone to silver granite to recycled glass. ### Resists frost, oil and salt UV-stable aliphatic resin won't degrade in freeze-thaw, doesn't absorb hydrocarbons, and tolerates rock-salt de-icing. ### Low maintenance Pressure-wash annually; re-sand or top-coat if required at year 8–10. No re-pointing, no re-sanding of joints (there aren't any). ### Wheelchair, pram and heel-friendly Smooth surface with no joints means no trip hazards, no rattle, no stones in your shoes. Materials, methods & variations ## Everything you should know before commissioning the work. Resin bound is a finishing system, not a base system. Every aspect of long-term performance depends on three correct decisions - the base, the resin, and the install conditions. The notes below cover what we specify and why. ### Resin chemistry: aliphatic vs aromatic Only aliphatic polyurethane is UV-stable. Aromatic resins are cheaper, used in trade-warehouse 'budget' kits, and yellow visibly within 12–24 months. Every Millpond resin install uses aliphatic resin to BS 7533 and manufacturer-warranted formulations. ### Aggregate selection and gradation 1–3mm gradations are standard for residential driveways. Larger aggregates (3–6mm) suit commercial and high-traffic areas. Aggregate must be kiln-dried to <0.5% moisture before mixing - wet aggregate is the leading cause of cure failure. ### Base options and minimum standards On a new install: 100–150mm MOT Type 3 (open-graded) sub-base topped with 50–70mm open-graded macadam. Over existing concrete: structurally sound with no live cracks, SBR-primed. Over existing tarmac: sound, no rutting, no oil contamination, primed appropriately. ### Permeable construction and SuDS Resin bound IS the surface; SuDS compliance comes from the open-graded macadam base allowing water through to a granular sub-base which infiltrates to ground or to a permeable area. We document compliance for your insurer and house-sale pack. ### Application weather window Manufacturer windows typically 5–25°C, no rain within 12 hours, surface dry. We plan installs around the weather forecast, not the calendar - and will reschedule rather than risk a rushed cure. ### Edging and finishing details Aluminium edging strips, concrete upstands, brick soldier course or block paving border are all standard options. Without edge restraint, freeze-thaw lifts the perimeter first and progresses inward - every edge detail must be designed and installed before resin pour. Questions answered ## The questions homeowners actually ask before they book. Still unsure? Call +44 7480 569890 and speak with the team direct - no call centre, no scripts. How much does a resin bound driveway cost in Cheltenham?+Every driveway is priced individually based on size, ground conditions, drainage, surface choice and access. We quote a fixed price after a free on-site survey — no guesswork, no day rates. Always quoted after base assessment — never blind. Is resin bound the same as resin bonded?+No - and the difference matters. Resin bound is a permeable, hand-trowelled 15–18mm system. Resin bonded is a 6mm scatter-coat over hot-applied resin, fully impermeable. Bonded does NOT meet SuDS and will not be recommended by us for new driveways over 5m². How long before I can drive on it?+Foot traffic 4–6 hours after install. Vehicle traffic 24–48 hours depending on resin product and ambient temperature. We will state the exact figures on your job sheet. Will it crack?+The resin itself won't crack. Cracks only appear if they propagate up from the base. That is why we won't install over a base that hasn't been verified - and we walk away from jobs where the client wants us to overlay a failing base regardless. Does it yellow?+Aliphatic UV-stable resin (which is all we install) does not yellow. Aromatic resin (cheaper, found in budget kits) yellows visibly within 12–24 months. If a quote is unusually low, ask which resin chemistry - that's where the cost is being cut. Can you overlay my existing concrete or tarmac?+Often yes - provided the base is sound, no live cracks, no rutting, no contamination. We core-sample or test if unclear, and quote a new base if needed rather than overlay-and-hope. Will weeds grow through?+No. The surface is fully closed at the top. Where weeds appear over time, it's almost always seed blown onto the surface - pressure-wash annually and they don't establish. What's the lifespan?+10–15 years on a correctly installed base with aliphatic resin. Many installs run longer; a top-up coat at year 10 extends life indefinitely. Is it slippery when wet?+No - the aggregate texture gives excellent grip. R-rating depends on aggregate selection; we specify R11+ aggregates as standard for residential driveways. ### Related services - Driveways - Block Paving - Landscaping - Excavation ### Service areas - Cheltenham - Gloucester - Tewkesbury - Stroud - Cirencester - Bishop's Cleeve - Winchcombe - Evesham - PershoreBack to homepage · Contact us A preview of our work ## Recent projects across the Cotswolds. View full portfolio Previous slideNext slide ## Get a fixed-price quote you can actually trust. On-site survey, accurate measurements, written specification, itemised pricing and a firm start date. No subcontracted estimators, no pressure, no surprise add-ons mid-build. Request Your Free Quote +44 7480 569890 Free on-site survey, free written quote Premium driveways, paving and landscaping built to last across Cheltenham and the wider Cotswolds. Checkatrade Member - ### Services Landscaping - Porcelain Paving - Block Paving - Resin Bound Surfaces - Natural Stone Paving - Fencing - Turfing & Artificial Grass - Excavation - Driveways ### Areas - Cheltenham - Gloucester - Tewkesbury - Stroud - Cirencester - Bishop's Cleeve - Winchcombe - Evesham - Pershore ### Contact - 27 Caenarvon RoadCheltenhamGL51 3JT - +44 7480 56989007834 619294 - millponddevelopments@gmail.com ### Opening Hours - Monday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - Tuesday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - Wednesday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - Thursday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - Friday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - SaturdayClosed - SundayClosed © 2026 Millpond Developments. All rights reserved. PrivacyCookiesRequest a quote+44 7480 56989007834 619294 Call NowGet Free Quote We use essential cookies to run this site, and optional ones only with your consent. Cookie policy. AcceptReject