RKG installs both surfaces across Oxfordshire and Berkshire, so this comparison is not about pushing one answer for every home. It is about narrowing the choice before a measured site visit, when levels, access, existing base condition and drainage can be checked properly.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Resin bound | Block paving |
|---|---|---|
| Guide price | £185–£240 per m² installed | £130–£170 per m² installed |
| Typical lifespan | 15–25 years with a sound base | 25+ years with an engineered sub-base |
| Drainage | Permeable and SuDS-compliant when built on the right base | Permeable options are available; standard block paving may need drainage design |
| Maintenance | Very low day-to-day maintenance | Light maintenance: washing, joint re-sanding and occasional sealing |
| Appearance | Smooth, jointless, modern or country aggregate finish | Patterned, traditional or contemporary blocks with borders and detailing |
| Best fit | Premium permeable finish, clean modern look, low maintenance | Design flexibility, traditional kerb appeal, repairable sections |
Choose resin bound if permeability and low maintenance matter
Resin bound is a smooth surface made from UV-stable resin and kiln-dried aggregate. The finished driveway is permeable, so water can pass through it when the base is designed correctly. That makes it a strong option where drainage and a clean, modern finish are priorities.
It is also normally the lower-maintenance choice. There are no sand-filled joints to re-sand, and RKG's resin page describes it as a 15–25 year surface when installed over a sound sub-base.
Choose block paving if design flexibility matters
Block paving gives more visible design control. Herringbone, stretcher-bond and bordered layouts can be used to suit both older brick homes and newer properties. It is also practical to repair in sections because individual blocks can be lifted and replaced.
The trade-off is maintenance. RKG recommends pressure washing and re-sanding every few years, with sealing as an option to protect the surface and keep joints tight.
How budget affects the decision
On RKG's current guide prices, block paving sits below resin bound: £130–£170 per m² for block paving compared with £185–£240 per m² for resin. The final quote can still move either way depending on excavation, access, edging, drainage and whether the existing base can be used.
Planning and drainage basics
For front gardens, drainage matters. Resin bound is permeable as standard when laid on the right build-up. Block paving can also be permeable, but only when the block system and sub-base are specified for that. Non-permeable surfaces over 5m² normally need water directed to a permeable area or a compliant drainage solution.
So which one should you choose?
Choose resin bound if you want a premium, smooth, permeable finish with minimal day-to-day maintenance. Choose block paving if you want a more traditional driveway with borders, patterns and future repair flexibility. For many Oxfordshire and Berkshire homes, both can work; the site visit decides which one makes better sense for the ground in front of the house.