Resin Washed Stone creates a seamless surface by bonding washed natural stones with a clear UV stable resin. The surface is trowelled on to a solid substrate and offers a natural look, without the hassle of loose pebbles. The finished surface will be non-slip, porous and very easy to maintain.
Loose gravel looks great on day one, then scatters, ruts and ends up in the lawn. Resin washed stone flooring solves that problem by locking every stone in place. At Resin Rock we supply a full range of resins, aggregates and training to installers throughout North America. In this ultimate guide we will help you understand all about Resin Washed Stone including what it is, where it is best used, installation and maintenance.
Key takeaways
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Resin washed stone flooring is washed, dried natural stone coated in a clear, UV-stable resin binder and trowelled to a seamless finish.
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It suits driveways, patios, garden pathways and pool decks, and the textured stone surface offers good grip, even when wet.
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The resin bound layer is permeable, so rainwater drains through instead of pooling on top.
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A sound base, a primer, a UV-stable binder and correct depth are what make it last 15 years or more.
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Care is simple: sweep, rinse and clean spills quickly.
What Is Resin Washed Stone?
Resin washed stone is a form of resin bound surface. Natural stones have been washed and dried ready to be used as an aggregate. The stones are mixed together with a clear resin binder to ensure they are all completely covered. This mixture is applied to a prepared base and manually trowelled to create a smooth even surface resembling a natural stone carpet.
The term 'washed’ can be quite important. The stone is cleaned to remove any dirt, clay and tiny dust particles. It then has to be dried. This means that the stone will have a good bond with the resin giving you a strong floor. One of the main reasons that you get a cloudy/weak resin surface is due to the stone not being clean and dry. Our guide to 7 things you need to know about resin bound aggregates explains why drying and grading make such a difference.
Why Homeowners Are Choosing Resin Washed Stone Flooring
Overall, it has a high quality look and will keep your space looking neat. The resin washed stone will give you all the natural look of real stone without having to put up with loose gravel, cracked concrete and weed infested pavers. Here are the main benefits:
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Natural, upscale look: Real stone in a wide choice of colors suits modern and traditional homes alike.
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Seamless finish: No joints or gaps means fewer places for weeds and dirt to settle.
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Permeable surface: Water drains through the resin bound layer instead of forming puddles.
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Slip-resistant texture: The stone surface provides grip underfoot, which matters around pools and on slopes.
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UV-stable color: A quality UV-stable binder helps light stones keep their color in strong sun.
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Low maintenance: No raking, no topping up stones and no loose gravel tracked into the house.
If you want to see the change before committing, try our Live Visualizer and preview resin washed stone on your own space.
Where Can You Use Resin Washed Stone?
One of the most flexible options when it comes to outdoor flooring is resin washed stone. It is applied by hand using a trowel which allows it to conform to curves, edges and step details giving you a clean seamless look.
The most popular use of resin washed stone is on driveways. It provides a durable, eye-catching entrance to your home and ensures that the stones won’t move when vehicles are driven over them. If you already have concrete as your driveway surface, then you can view our can you put resin bound over existing concrete page to see if an overlay is suitable.
Resin washed stone for pool decks is another ultimate upgrade. The textured stone surface gives better grip than smooth tiles, and lighter stone colors stay more comfortable in full sun. Our guide to resin bound for pool decks covers heat, chlorine and barefoot comfort in detail.
Patios, garden pathways, walkways, courtyards and commercial entrances all work beautifully too. For a standout feature, add Glow Rock stones along the edges so your resin washed stone path glows softly after dark. See our glow in the dark driveway ideas for inspiration.
Resin Washed Stone vs Resin Bound: What Is the Difference?
Resin washed stone is just another name for resin bound surfaces with clean washed natural stone. They go hand in hand because the washed aggregate provides the strength and natural look of the surface. A good quality installation will use this type of stone.
The difference you will notice will depend on the type of stone used. Natural rounded pebbles will give you a texture like a carpet of stone, whereas smaller and graded aggregates will give you a smooth flat finish. They can be mixed in the same way with the binder and provide a drainage surface. You can browse our range of aggregates to see the variety of colours, shapes and sizes available.
How Resin Washed Stone Flooring Is Installed
A flawless finish depends on preparation and technique. Here is the core process used by trained installers:
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Check the base: The existing concrete, asphalt or new base must be sound, stable, clean and dry. Cracks and lips are repaired first.
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Set the edges: Edge trims are fixed along open edges for a clean, protected finish line.
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Prime: A suitable primer is applied so the resin bonds to the base, not to dust.
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Mix: Washed, dried stone and resin binder are combined in a forced action mixer, such as a Baron mixer, so every stone is evenly coated.
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Lay and trowel: The mix is spread to the right depth, typically about 1/2 inch for foot traffic and 3/4 inch for driveways, and hand-trowelled flat.
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Cure: Foot traffic usually waits 6 to 8 hours and vehicles 24 to 48 hours, longer in cool weather.
Our full step-by-step resin bound installation guide goes deeper into mixing and trowelling. To plan material quantities, use the Resin Rock calculators. For small paths and patios, confident DIYers can start with a resin bound kit.
How to Maintain Resin Washed Stone Flooring
Very low maintenance. Simply sweep any leaves and grit off the floor and hose down occasionally throughout the year. Using a pressure washer with a low setting will give you a deep clean.
Oil and fuel spills should be cleaned up quickly to prevent staining. Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach to clean. As the surface is porous any water used to clean will drain through and leave a clean and bright surface. This can easily be maintained for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is resin washed stone flooring made of?
Resin washed stone is created by mixing clean washed & dried natural stone with a clear UV stable resin. This mixture is then troweled on top of a solid substrate to create a smooth textured finish.
Is resin washed stone slippery?
No. The exposed stone texture provides good grip underfoot, even when wet, which is why resin washed stone is popular for pool decks, patios and pathways.
Can resin washed stone be used for driveways?
Yes. It can be installed with the correct depth on top of a good base to provide a durable surface for regular vehicle movement. The stones will remain firmly in place.
How long does resin washed stone last?
If the substrate is good, prepared correctly and using a UV stable binders, it should last 15 years plus. Substrate and installation are the biggest factors.
Is resin washed stone permeable?
Yes. The resin bound surface is permeable. If laying on top of concrete it would need a slight fall to allow drainage. You could also speak to us about a Rock Crete permeable base for full permeability.
Is resin washed stone the same as resin bound?
Resin washed stone is a type of resin bound surface using natural washed stone. You can choose the appearance of your surface from rounded pebbles to a finer graded finish.
Bring Natural Stone Beauty to Your Outdoor Space
Resin washed stone flooring is an ultimate way to update your tired driveway, patio, path or pool deck, combining the natural beauty of stone with the durability, drainage and easy maintenance offered by a modern Resin bound surface.
Ready to start? Explore our resin binders and aggregates, find an approved installer near you, or contact Resin Rock for samples and expert advice. Contractors can also train with Resin Rock to add resin washed stone to their services.
