Resin vs Block Paving. Which driveway is right for your home?

You want a driveway that looks smart and lasts. The two favourites in Epsom and across Surrey are resin-bound driveways and block paving driveways. Both work brilliantly when they’re built properly. They just do different things well. Here’s the straight answer in our no-nonsense tone.

The quick answer

• Choose resin-bound for a seamless, modern look, smooth access, and built-in permeability (SUDS-friendly).
• Choose block paving for a classic, modular finish you can lift and relay later—great where future access to services matters.

What each surface actually is

• Resin-bound: Natural stone blended with a clear, UV-stable resin and trowelled to a smooth, porous finish. Water drains through into a designed base. No joints, no wobble.
• Block paving: Individual concrete or clay blocks laid on a prepared bed with joints filled and edged. Solid, patterned, and easy to repair one unit at a time.

How they look (and feel)

• Resin-bound: Seamless. Low-glare. Big choice of blends and borders. Ideal if you want the front of the house to look “finished” the day it’s laid. Smooth for prams, wheelchairs and bikes.
• Block paving: Character and pattern. Herringbone, stretcher, basketweave—plus contrasting borders and aprons. Texture underfoot; the joints are visible by design.

Drainage & SUDS

• Resin-bound: Permeable system when paired with the right base. Helps manage surface water on plots that puddle after rain.
• Block paving: Standard blocks are not permeable (water sheds to drains). Permeable block systems exist—if you choose the right blocks and a permeable base build-up.

Everyday maintenance

• Resin-bound: Low effort. Sweep leaves; occasional light jet wash with a fan lance. No sanded joints for weeds to bed into.
• Block paving: Keep the joints topped and clean. Expect some weed growth from wind-blown seeds. A good clean and re-sand refreshes the look.

Repairs & alterations

• Resin-bound: Localised patch repairs are possible; we blend carefully, but colour can vary slightly between old and new areas.
• Block paving: Easy to lift and relay individual units, handy if you ever need to access pipes or cables.

Durability & load

Both systems last when the base is right. That’s the part you don’t see and the part we obsess over.

• Resin-bound: Robust, anti-slip texture. Performs brilliantly on a stable, well-compacted, correctly drained base.
• Block paving: Very tough under regular traffic. Good edge restraint stops creep at the margins.

Heat, cold & weather

• Resin-bound: With UV-stable resin and the right depth, it stays firm in summer and resists frost in winter. Avoid dry-steering on the very hottest afternoons.
• Block paving: Solid year-round on a proper base. Poor bases settle; good ones don’t.

Installation speed

• Resin-bound: Typically quicker for standard drives and paths. Cure, then you’re on.
• Block paving: More laying time because each unit is placed, aligned and jointed.

Cost context (not a price list)

• Resin-bound and quality block paving are often in the same ballpark per square metre once you include a proper base and edging.
• Complex patterns, lots of cuts, steps and features add time to both.
• Long, straight drives? Block paving can be cost-effective. Tight, awkward shapes? Resin’s seamless finish shines.

Sustainability notes

• Resin-bound: Permeable build-ups support SUDS, reducing runoff to the road.
• Block paving: Permeable block systems are available; add a permeable base and you’re SUDS-friendly too.

Common mistakes (we don’t make them)

• Wrong system for the goal: Bonded resin (stone broadcast on top) is decorative but not fully permeable. We specify resin-bound when you want drainage.
• Poor base: Dense, dusty hardcore blocks pores and moves under load. We use clean, open-graded stone for permeable builds and compact properly.
• Weak edges: Edging keeps lines true and margins protected. We set it right, first time.
• Ignoring falls: Even permeable surfaces need planned levels. We design them in.

Which should you choose?

Pick resin-bound if you want:

• A modern, seamless look with strong kerb appeal
• Smooth access for buggies, bikes and wheelchairs
• Permeability to help with puddles and planning

Pick block paving if you want:

• Classic patterns and a more traditional feel
• Easy, modular repairs in the future
• Defined textures and prominent borders

Design details that lift any driveway

• Edging: Block, granite or aluminium restraints for crisp, durable margins
• Borders: Contrast bands to frame the entrance or create an apron
• Thresholds: Trip-free transitions, tidy drain lines, recessed covers where needed
• Lighting conduits: Add the cables now; thank yourself later

Our process (simple and transparent)

1. Site visit: Levels, drainage, access, utilities—no guesswork
2. Options: Blends, blocks, borders, edging—see and feel the choices
3. Build-up: The right base for your soil, slope and traffic
4. Installation: One team, one project, done properly
5. Handover: Clear care guide and guarantees

Fast answers

Which lasts longer, resin or block?
Both last for years when the base is built right. The difference is look, maintenance style and how you plan to use the space.

Can either be permeable?
Resin-bound – yes, with the right base. Block – yes, if you choose permeable blocks and a permeable build-up.

Is resin slippery?
No. The finished texture is anti-slip and low-glare.

Next steps

Not sure which suits your home? Book a quick site visit. We’ll check levels and drainage, talk through blends and patterns, and give you a clear, fixed quote. LA Surfacing. One team. One project. Done properly.