How resin-bound natural stone can transform a tired driveway, with or without demolition
Pull up to most Australian homes and the first thing you see is the driveway. It is usually the biggest hard surface on the block, and when it is cracked, stained or holding puddles after every storm, it drags down the look of everything around it.
Replacing a tired driveway does not have to mean jackhammers, skip bins and weeks of disruption. StoneSet gives homeowners two practical paths to a new driveway: resurfacing over the existing slab, or installing a fully permeable driveway on a new base. This blog explains how each works, why resin-bound natural stone suits Australian conditions, and what to consider before you get started.
What is StoneSet driveway paving?
StoneSet is a resin-bound paving system. Natural stone aggregate is mixed with StoneSet’s clear, UV-stable resin and hand-trowelled into a smooth, seamless surface. Once cured, the stones are locked in place, so there is no loose gravel to track inside or kick onto the lawn.
The resin holds the stones together while leaving tiny gaps between them. Those gaps make the surface permeable, allowing water to drain through at rates of up to 60 litres per square metre every second.
It is also worth being clear about what StoneSet is not. It is not paint, epoxy or a spray-on coating, and it is not pebblecrete. It is a flexible, bound natural stone surface engineered to handle vehicle loads.
Two ways to a new StoneSet driveway
Resurface your existing driveway
If your concrete, asphalt, pavers or old pebblecrete is structurally sound, StoneSet can be laid directly over the top. The overlay covers surface cracks, stains and patchy repairs with a seamless new finish, without the cost, mess and waste of demolition. Stamped and painted concrete can often be resurfaced too.
Install a new permeable driveway
For new builds, major renovations or a driveway that is past saving, StoneSet can be installed as a fully permeable system over a properly prepared base, so rain soaks through into the ground below. StoneSet should not be laid straight onto bare soil. The base underneath is what gives a permeable driveway its strength and lifespan.
Why it suits Australian conditions
Australian driveways cop a lot: harsh UV, heavy downpours, long dry spells and ground that moves with the seasons. Here is how StoneSet is designed to handle them.
- UV-stable resin. StoneSet Premium UVR is formulated for strong sunlight and is backed by a 10-year warranty against loose stone, delamination and resin discolouration.
- Flexible strength. The surface is engineered for vehicle loads while staying flexible enough to resist cracking from movement in the base below.
- Grip in the wet. The textured finish provides slip resistance in all weather, and StoneSet can offer a P5 slip rating.
- Fewer puddles. Water drains through the surface rather than sitting on top of it.
- Cooler underfoot. StoneSet does not trap heat the way concrete does, helping outdoor areas stay more comfortable in summer. Read about SRI values.
- A seamless finish. No joints between pavers for weeds to take hold, and no loose stones to rake back into place.
Where does the water go?
It depends on what sits underneath your StoneSet surface.
Over existing concrete
The slab below is still impermeable, so rain passes through the StoneSet layer and follows the existing falls to your drains or edges. You will notice fewer puddles, and the permeable layer helps slow how quickly water reaches the drains.
As a full permeable system
Water soaks through the surface and base into the ground, much like a garden bed. This reduces runoff and helps replenish groundwater.
Councils count StoneSet permeable paving as soft landscaping when assessing hard-to-soft surface ratios. That can give you more flexibility with the size of your driveway. Every council is different, so check your local requirements. If needed, our team can provide information to support your application.
A real transformation, in two days
For the 200th episode of Selling Houses Australia, a family at St Huberts Island needed their home renovated quickly and affordably. Tearing up the worn concrete driveway would have added time and cost. Instead, StoneSet created a new 6mm blend, Palm Springs, to suit the home’s coastal look and laid it straight over the existing slab.
Installers were on and off site in two days, leaving a P5 slip-rated, UV-resistant driveway.
Choosing a colour
Because StoneSet uses natural stone, your driveway can be matched to your home rather than the other way around. The StoneSet Colour Portfolio covers a wide range of natural stone blends, from light coastal tones to deep charcoals, and blends can be combined to create borders, bands and patterns. Seeing a sample against your brickwork, render and garden is the best way to choose.
How much does a StoneSet driveway cost?
Every driveway is different, so our Approved Installers price each project individually. The installed cost depends on the size and condition of your existing surface, the stone blend you choose and site access. Call us and our team can usually give you a site-specific guide price over the phone in a few minutes, with no obligation.
Backed by an Australian team
StoneSet has been manufacturing resin-bound paving in Australia since 2008. That was when founders Andy and Tori Newton brought the technology here from the UK, where their family had been part of the industry from its early days. Today, homeowners are supported by a nationwide network of Approved Installers trained in the StoneSet system, so your driveway is prepared and laid by people who know it well.
Ready to rethink your driveway?
Tell us about your existing driveway and we will talk you through the best system for your home. We’ll then connect you with a local Approved Installer for a free quote.