With wetter winters piling pressure on traditional surfaces and drainage, more South West homeowners are turning to fully permeable resin bound driveways that let rainwater soak straight through, help manage surface water and need no planning permission. Add a smart, low-maintenance finish that lifts the whole front of a property, and it is easy to see why the surface has become one of the most requested outdoor upgrades of the year.
The latest example sits right on the company's doorstep. The owners of a well-kept detached bungalow in Newton Abbot approached the team wanting to breathe new life into a tired, dated driveway, with a surface that would add warmth and character to the front of the property while standing up to daily vehicle use in all weathers.
After a free, no-obligation visit, the team recommended a resin-bound surface in a warm, copper-toned finish, chosen to complement the bungalow's rendered walls and decorative red brick detailing. The old surface was lifted and full groundwork carried out to create a solid, level sub-base. The existing red brick border edging was carefully retained and neatly finished, preserving a feature the owners were especially keen to keep.
The finished driveway is smooth, seamless and fully permeable, allowing rainwater to drain straight through the surface in line with SuDS drainage requirements. There are no loose stones to scatter across the pavement and no puddles to sidestep, and the whole surface is backed by the company's 10-year guarantee on products and workmanship.
"This one was a real pleasure, not least because it was practically on our doorstep," commented James Harbron, Managing Director at Outdoor Home Improvements. "Homeowners want a driveway that looks fantastic, copes with our Devon weather and takes almost no looking after. Resin bound delivers all three, and the warm copper tones here have completely transformed the front of this home."
The appeal goes well beyond looks. Resin bound is up to ten times more durable than tarmac and UV-stable, so it will not fade or discolour in the sun, and it comes in a wide range of natural aggregate tones. The same system suits period cottages and modern new builds alike, which is part of the reason demand has spread so quickly across the region.
The company reports growing interest from homeowners across the South West who are planning driveway and garden projects ahead of the winter, when permeable surfaces and reliable drainage really prove their worth. Early enquiries also allow time for proper groundwork, which the team says is the single biggest factor in how long a resin bound driveway lasts.
Outdoor Home Improvements is a family-run business based in Newton Abbot and trading since 2011. Alongside resin bound surfacing, the team installs artificial grass, composite decking, fencing, landscaping and roofing for homeowners and commercial clients right across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, handling everything from compact front gardens to large commercial projects.
Homeowners considering a driveway upgrade of their own can request a free, no-obligation quote through the Outdoor Home Improvements website at outdoorhomeimprovements.co.uk.