While your driveway can often be the first impression of your house, it needs to be practical too. And being outside, under the sun, means being able to withstand heat, even in the UK. We can understand why resin driveways getting too hot can be a common concern; after all, you don’t want a bit of heat to ruin the beautiful aesthetics of your new driveway.
The truth is, like any material that sits out in the sun all day, your resin driveway will get hot to the touch. But the good news is that it won’t get as hot as other common driveway materials such as tarmac, concrete, asphalt or concrete.
At Jurassic Home Solutions, we are here to answer your heat-related questions and quash any concerns that a summer heat wave will ruin your driveway.
Heat Absorption in Resin Driveways
The simple answer to your question, “Do resin driveways get hot?” is yes. Because, like all surfaces that are exposed to direct sunlight, it will absorb some of the heat.
However, a resin driveway has a slower absorption rate of heat compared to materials such as tarmac and asphalt.
This means that it will not only be cooler to walk on, but it will also maintain its solid feel.
What we mean by this is that it won’t soften like tarmac might. Tarmac’s softening point is about 50℃, well above temperatures reached here in the UK.
However, on a consistent 20℃ day, the asphalt in the tarmac absorbs heat over the day, and this can cause the surface to feel softer to walk on.
Resin has a much higher melting point of 200℃, which means it will take a lot higher temperature or a longer exposure period to start softening.
Lower Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity refers to how well a material absorbs and transfers heat. As mentioned above, resin driveways absorb heat fairly slowly.
Because of this, it has less heat stored in it than other driveway materials, such as concrete or tarmac, meaning that once the heat source is removed (the sun goes down or the area becomes shaded), it cools down quicker - because it has less heat to get rid of.
Meanwhile, tarmac or paving absorbs heat faster, so they have more heat to transfer when they stop absorbing heat from the sun. This means they stay warmer for longer.
Resin vs. Other Driveway Materials
Heat Absorption
Resin: Fast - Cools quickly once shaded or the sun sets.
Asphalt: Slow - Takes longer to cool down after exposure to sun.
Concrete: Moderate - Cools at a steady rate but slower than resin.
Gravel: Fast - Rarely gets hot enough to pose discomfort.
Heat Retention
Resin: Low - Retains less heat due to low thermal conductivity.
Asphalt: High - Retains heat for a long time, even after sunset.
Concrete: Moderate - Retains heat longer than resin but less than asphalt.
Gravel: Minimal - Stones cool quickly due to their small surface area.
Cooling Speed
Resin: Fast - Cools quickly once shaded or the sun sets.
Asphalt: Slow - Takes longer to cool down after exposure to sun.
Concrete: Moderate - Cools at a steady rate but slower than resin.
Gravel: Fast - Rarely gets hot enough to pose discomfort.
Comfort in Hot Climates
Resin: Excellent - Comfortable underfoot and safe for pets and children.
Asphalt: Poor - Can become uncomfortably hot and potentially cause burns.
Concrete: Fair - Can feel hot but less extreme than asphalt.
Gravel: Good - Remains relatively cool, but uneven texture can be uncomfortable for bare feet.
As you can see above, resin and gravel are the two best materials in heat as they have low thermal conductivity, meaning they don’t absorb heat as much as the others and cool down quickly.
So, when it comes to heat and comfort, the final decision comes down to style and aesthetic preferences.
Melting and Durability in Hot Weather
We often find that while customers are asking about how hot a resin driveway will get, what they really want to know is if the resin will melt under the sun all day.
You might have worked out by now that the resin won’t melt, even after being exposed to the heat all day, thanks to its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures.
On top of this, resin driveways have UV resistance, which also means that the sunlight exposure won't discolour or degrade the driveway surface either.
Benefits of Resin Driveways In Warmer Areas
Here in the UK, we might not be hitting the same temperatures that Australia or parts of America get over summer, but you want to be confident that when we do have a heat wave, your driveway will be able to handle it.
The benefits of a resin driveway cover exactly that:
- It will be comfortable underfoot, even in our hot weather.
- There is a reduced risk of damage from high temperatures.
- Its aesthetic appeal remains thanks to the durability of the material.
Enjoy a Resin Driveway Year Round From Jurassic Home Solutions
Resin driveways will get warm to touch on hot days, but due to their high melting point, they are unlikely to soften.
Plus, the UV resistance will ensure they don't lose their colour or degrade from sun exposure, so you can be confident a resin driveway will look as new as the day it was installed for a long time to come - providing you give it some love and attention every now and then.
At Jurassic Home Solutions, we are a family-run business with a combined 20 years of experience in laying resin driveways and surfaces for domestic, commercial, and industrial sites across the South Coast.
We offer a wide range of solutions from our three collections, Classic, Modern and Timeless, meaning you are bound to find a style that seamlessly complements your property's exterior.
The benefits of resin driveways go beyond their ability to withstand heat, so why not get in touch with our experts today to learn more?
Call us on 0330 0435 166 or complete our online contact form, and we will get back to you.
