The Paving Blog

An interesting new technology being developed and actually making a small splash is a process known as “Resin Bound Paving”.  It is primarily a surfacing technique, adapted to apply color, texture, depth and artistic applications on an existing hard surface. Crumbling or flaking driveways, sidewalks and patios suffering from too much sun or weather, or from the salts and chemicals used to get rid of snow and ice, can be freshened up and made to last longer with this resurfacing.  The fact is, it even offers a bit more longevity by providing a layer of protection.

This technique takes typically 4-6mm pieces of almost any natural gravel, crushed stone, imported marble and recycled materials and binds them in a mass, held together by the most durable adhesives now being developed, polymer resins. This clear adhesive is amazingly strong and works exceptionally well out doors.  It can stand up to weather and to traffic.

The epoxies and resins used act as the binding agent for the actual stones or pieces composing the overall surface look. The color comes with the materials themselves and they can be applied in any wild number of ways.  I have seen many of these last quite a while, still as pretty as ever, still composed of fascinating bits of gravel, glass or what have you.  The surfaces possible are absolutely mind-b;lowing in their wide variety and nearly unlimited imaginative scope.