Resin Bound Installation Guide
The necessary steps for a successful Resin Bound Installation.
A Resin Bound Paving is a surface solution that, in comparison to other paving options available, offers a vast range of benefits. From being cost-effective, durable, visually appealing, and permeable to low maintenance, a flat and consistent surface is gaining popularity among homeowners across the UK.
To read more about these, please read our dedicated article here. However, if we want to benefit from all the advantages of a Resin Bound Surface, we need to make sure it is installed correctly from start to finish.
This guide below highlights the critical steps of a Resin Bound Installation. Please note that the exact specification may differ depending on the manufacturers' advice.
What is Resin Bound?
The Resin Bound surfacing is an innovative surface solution that involves a hard-wearing course of Resin mixed with dried aggregates in a forced action mixer. The generated mixture is then trowelled onto a new or existing base to provide a smooth, flat finish. Being known as "stone carpets", Resin Bound systems create attractive, durable, and practical permeable paving solutions.
Resin Bound Installation Guide
STEP 1 - Before you start Resin Bound Installation
Whether you plan to install Resin Bound Paving over the top of the existing surface or a new sub-base, prep work is essential before Resin Bound surface can be applied. If you are lying a new Resin Bound over the existing foundation, it is vital to go through a checklist. You need to investigate the current base to determine if it is suitable, how stable it is, and if any cracks or damages are present?
Applications of Resin Bound must be made on a clean, dry, weed and algae-free surface. A preliminary cleaning may be required to remove any contamination based on your visual checks.
If you are putting a new sub-base in place, we recommend paying attention to the edgings as this will help to frame the area.
STEP 2 - Mixing the materials for Resin Bound Installation
The process of mixing Resin is a critical step for a successful Resin Bound Installation. Accuracy must be preserved at every stage. There is no room for any shortcuts. Use only one, the same batch on a project to avoid batch-to-batch variations. Mixing Resin in a suitably sized bucket on a plasterer's board or another protective surface will help to avoid splashes. Secure the container between your feet and pour the Part B into Part A. Whisk for approximately 20 seconds at a slow speed to achieve a creamy consistency.
For the UV Stable Resin Bound surfaces, add catalyst into Part A before mixing with Part B. Put the aggregate in the forced action mixer in the meantime. Mix it for a few seconds and tip the Resin into the mixer where the aggregate is prepared. Let it mix with the aggregates for approximately 90 seconds until all the stones are fully coated in the Resin. Please remember that it is vital to remember that each batch needs to be mixed for the same period of time to avoid colour differences. To achieve a more robust mix, there is an option of adding 2 kg of kiln sand about 30 seconds after the Resin per batch.
STEP 3 - Laying the material
Take the mix over to the dedicated place, and spread the manageable amount of the mixture for easier trowelling. Begin at the one end and carry on spreading towards the other side. To save time on trowelling, make sure the mix is distributed evenly as possible. Please note the material cures quite quickly, so the entire process of tipping the Resin and trowelling requires high efficiency.
To work on each mix, you have, on average, 20-30 minutes and this time is reduced down to 10 minutes during the hot summer months. Do not leave any gaps. Keep applying the mix until the aggregate stops mowing. To provide additional slip resistance, add a sprinkling of crushed glass after every two mixers have been trowelled down.
💡Handy tip
Wiping your trowel with white spirit stops makes creating excellent flat surfaces a lot easier. We recommend cleaning your trowel regularly throughout the trowelling process, approximately every six strokes. Once the Resin Bound Installation Procedure is finished, mark it clearly so that nobody accidentally walks on it before it is ready. The finished project will be ready for foot traffic after around 4 hours and vehicular traffic after 24 hours.
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