The short answer
These are two different finishes that both look like gravel. A loose gravel driveway is just that — angular stone spread over a sub-base — and it is the lower-priced option at roughly £50–£110 per m² installed, naturally permeable, but it needs topping up and the stones can migrate. A resin-bonded driveway scatters bare aggregate onto a roller-applied resin layer, giving a fixed, gravel-look surface at around £40–£60 per m²; it is tidier and loses fewer stones, but it is not permeable and tends to last 10–15 years before the surface wears. (Resin-bound is a separate, premium surface — a different product — that mixes the resin and stone together and is permeable.) The right choice balances upfront cost, drainage, maintenance and the look you want.
The decision is really a trade-off between upfront price, drainage and how much upkeep you are willing to do. Here is how loose gravel and resin-bonded compare on the things that matter — with resin-bound noted only for contrast.
At a glance
- Loose gravel~£50–£110/m², permeable, tops up
- Resin-bonded~£40–£60/m², not permeable, 10–15 yrs
- Resin-bound (for contrast)~£65–£100/m², permeable, 20–25 yrs
- Lowest-pricedloose gravel
- Best drainageloose gravel / resin-bound
How loose gravel and resin-bonded compare
Loose gravel is the lowest-priced to install and drains freely, which keeps it onside with driveway drainage rules, but the stones move under tyres, scatter at the edges and need topping up every few years. Resin-bonded fixes a single layer of stone to a resin-coated base, so it looks like gravel but stays put and is easier to sweep; the trade-off is that it is not permeable — so it can trigger drainage or planning requirements — and the thin bonded layer typically lasts 10–15 years before it needs redoing. For contrast only, resin-bound mixes resin and aggregate into a thicker, permeable surface that lasts longer but costs more.
| Finish | Typical cost | Permeable? | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose gravel | £50–£110 / m² | yes | 15–20 yrs (with top-ups) |
| Resin-bonded | £40–£60 / m² | no | 10–15 yrs |
| Resin-bound (for contrast) | £65–£100 / m² | yes | 20–25 yrs |
General comparison for guidance. Figures depend on size, base and access. Sources: trade cost guides (Oltco, Checkatrade).
How to choose for your driveway
- Tight budget, free drainage? loose gravel is the lowest-priced and naturally permeable.
- Want a tidy, low-scatter gravel look? resin-bonded keeps the stones in place, but check the drainage rules first because it is not permeable.
- Slope or wheelchair access? a bonded or bound surface gives a firmer, smoother finish than loose stone.
- Long life and drainage both matter? resin-bound (the separate premium product) lasts longest, at a higher upfront cost.
Want help weighing the finishes?
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Frequently asked questions
Is loose gravel or resin-bonded cheaper?
Loose gravel is usually the lower-priced finish to install, at roughly £50–£110 per m², and it drains freely. Resin-bonded is around £40–£60 per m² but is not permeable and the bonded layer tends to need redoing after 10–15 years.
What is the difference between resin-bonded and resin-bound?
Resin-bonded scatters bare stone onto a resin-coated base, giving a gravel look but a surface that is not permeable. Resin-bound mixes the stone through the resin into a thicker, permeable surface that lasts longer and costs more.
Which lasts longer, loose gravel or resin-bonded?
A well-built loose gravel driveway can last 15–20 years with periodic top-ups, while a resin-bonded surface typically lasts 10–15 years before the thin bonded layer wears and needs redoing.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific driveway. They are guidance, not a quotation.