Would you like to have a driveway, terrace, walking path in your garden, etc. built? Then a stone carpet is an ideal choice. Because in addition to being used as an indoor floor, a stone carpet also has many advantages outside. What are the benefits and possibilities? How does the installation of such a stone carpet proceed? How much is it? You will discover it all in this article.
What is a Resin Driveway?
A Resin Driveway is a mixture of small grains of stone and synthetic resin . It forms a seamless floor finish with a natural look. Stone carpet can be used both indoors and outdoors, but this article focuses on outdoor stone carpets. Because the use of this multifunctional floor is also on the rise outside. No coincidence, because you can install a stone carpet if…
- terrace or balcony
- driveway or parking lot
- walkway in the garden
- flooring around your outdoor pool
- trim around trees
Resin Driveway options
A stone carpet outside to your size? That is not a problem at all, because there are many possibilities. You can make different choices in terms of:
1) Size of the granules
A larger stone grain of 2 to 3 mm is ideal for outdoor use, but grains of 1 to 2 mm, 3 to 4 mm and even 4 to 6 mm are also possible. The smaller the grain, the more homogeneous the end result will be.
2) Material and color of the granules
You can choose from a wide range of natural stone and stone carpet colors. Do you want to avoid discoloration from sunlight? Then it is best to go for a UV-resistant color that is not affected by the sun, e.g. stones in fine marble or granite.
3) Thickness of the stone carpet
The larger the grains, the thicker the stone carpet. The floor thickness is on average between 6 and 12 mm . The thickness of the stone carpet mainly depends on its use. For example, a driveway must of course be thicker than a footpath.
4) UV stability
One stone carpet will discolor faster due to UV rays than the other. Do you want optimal UV stability? Then definitely have the stones colored with a PU agent (polyurethane). It is also best to choose a non-yellowing PU resin as a binding agent . The resin also makes the stone carpet elastic, making it better protected against temperature shocks. For indoor stone carpet, craftsmen usually use an epoxy-based synthetic resin as a binder.
5) Surface finish
A stone carpet can have a closed or an open structure. A closed structure is often used indoors. A professional then fills the space between the stones with a glossy or matt filler. This way you get a smooth and easy to clean surface, where the structure of the stones is no longer noticeable.
With an open structure, that structure remains palpable. This method is mainly used outdoors. Water and dirt particles can disappear into the pores of the stone carpet, so that you do not get puddles on your driveway, terrace, … You can also have the stone carpet finished outside with a transparent PU coating with an extra wear layer . This way it is even more protected against sunlight and weather influences.
