Above: Outside glazed pressure wall system with polyamide pressure plates. Photo by YKK AP America.
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Fenestration products play an important role in commercial buildings, beyond providing good aesthetics. Daylighting, thermal comfort and air infiltration can be positively impacted by high-quality, high-performance curtain wall systems. However, poor system performance can reduce thermal comfort and increase the costs to cool or heat a building by transferring all energy directly to the inside or outside, depending on the season.
Commercial building codes are continuing their progress toward increasing the thermal efficiency of the façade. Additionally, the International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings are now pushing to achieve net-zero energy by -31. Building codes constantly lower the prescriptive values for fenestration U-factor with the IECC lowering U-factor for fixed fenestration to 0.25 British thermal unit per hour per square foot per degree Fahrenheit (Btu/hr*ft²*°F) in climate zone 8, 0.34 Btu/hr*ft²*°F in zones 4 and 5, and 0.38 Btu/hr*ft²*°F in zone 3.
Lower prescriptive U-factors encourage fenestration manufacturers to explore new solutions that can give them a competitive edge and increase system performance. Traditionally, manufacturers incorporated high-performance glass technology to meet stringent energy requirements, but glass changes can be expensive. Moving from a double-pane system to a triple-glazed increases the costs and complexity of a system. Glass is also only one part of the entire system, and a simple change to the frame could help elevate a poor or mediocre performing product into a high-performance system.
Typical curtain wall systems utilize aluminum pressure plates, which have a very high thermal conductance and can affect condensation values. Replacing aluminum pressure plates with polyamide pressure plates can greatly increase the performance of a system as polyamide is 500 times more insulating than aluminum. Additionally, polyamide pressure plates can increase condensation resistance, which allows for higher humidity levels and more comfort in buildings.
Some tested products have achieved approximately 24% better U-factor and 20% higher condensation resistance values when replacing aluminum pressure plates with polyamide pressure plates.
Fiberglass pressure plates also offer an alternative material to help increase thermal performance of a system. Fiberglass offers rigid products with tight tolerances and can be swapped with little change to original system. Custom fiberglass pressure plate shapes also can be created to fit a specific system requirement. However, fiberglass profiles can be more difficult to machine and fabricate because special saws and ventilators to ensure manufacturers do not have negative reactions to the cut fiber typically are required. In contrast, polyamide pressure plates do not require any special fabrication or safety equipment for processing and custom shapes are available.
Resin surfacing is a versatile and attractive option for paved areas. Around since the nineties, today’s resin solutions can be equally as hard-wearing as a standard paved patio.
Made from selected decorative stones, a clear resin binder is mixed with the stones to achieve a smooth and durable outdoor surface.
Resin surfacing can be laid on top of existing concrete or patio surfaces when these existing structures offer a solid base. Installation can be relatively easy, with some manufacturers offering DIY kits.
With the right skills for installation, resin paving can even be installed for trafficked areas on driveways.
There is an important difference between resin-bound paving and resin-bonded paving. The aesthetics of both of them is very similar, but the difference is much than semantics.
With resin-bound paving, the aggregate is mixed with the resin before installing it as the new surface.
But with resin-bonded paving, the aggregate is first installed and the resin added afterwards.
Resin-bound paving is a preferred option as it comes with more advantages. Due to the installation method, you’re likely to experience fewer loose stones and a much smoother final finish.
Plus, the fully permeable nature of resin-bound paving is certainly a big bonus and will limit puddles forming on the final surface.
Resin-bound surfaces are also frost resistant.
Due to the extra plus points of resin-bound paving, this article reviews the pros and cons of using this particular type of resin surfacing.
Let’s take a look at the pros of resin-bound surfacing.
At the top of the advantages of resin-bound paving has to be the myriad of colours and types of aggregate to choose from.
From Tuscan Marble to Oyster Quartz, you can easily choose the colour and aggregate that offers a complementary or contrasting look to your outdoor space.
Different aggregate options can also be combined together to create sweeping changes in colour to highlight a path or centrepiece.
Resin surfacing can also be combined with block paving or other traditional paved surfaces to achieve stylish borders or special features.
Generally speaking, resin surfaced driveways are relatively cheaper than other surfacing solutions, and the finish can be much more consistent.
Resin-bound paving commonly costs between £40 and £50 per square metre for the surfacing material and resin. You must have a solid, stable sub-base to install the materials on top of.
Resin paving DIY kits are available that you can install yourself. If you are working on a driveway or a more ambitious project for the first time, we do recommend using a trusted tradesperson.
Compared with other surfacing options, resin-bound paving solutions are fairly quick to install.
Depending on the size of your project and state of the sub-base, it may take just a couple of days for installation.
In fact, when installing resin paving on top of an existing sub-base, it can be laid in a matter of hours and fully cured within 1–2 days. (Note: if looking for a permeable paved solution, you will need to make sure the sub-base is also permeable).
Be aware of the weather and avoid rainy days. Most resin paving should not be installed in the rain as the additional water can affect the formula if it hasn’t yet cured.
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With most resin-bound kits you won’t require any expensive specialist equipment for installation. A plasterer’s style drill and mixing paddle, large bucket, gauging trowel and flooring trowel are all that’s commonly needed.
Many resin-bound pations are easy to clean and don’t require any specialist cleaning products.
Whereas a concrete or paved area can attract dirt and grime, the encapsulated stones in resin paving are resistant to staining.
When cleaning, all you need to do is use a jet wash on the area. If you’ve installed a fully permeable system (see the next plus point of resin surfacing), the water will quickly drain away.
Last but no means least, another big plus of resin surfacing is it’s permeability.
Provided you lay the resin-bound materials on top of a porous sub-base, your project will be permeable and SUDS compliant (that’s sustainable urban drainage systems to the uninitiated).
Aside from avoiding puddles and enabling water to naturally run-off your property, being SUDS compliant has another bonus. If you’re based in the UK and working on a project in a front garden of more than 5 square metres, a fully permeable surface means the difference between having to apply for planning approval or not.
So what makes resin-bound surfaces incredibly porous?
The permeability of resin surfaces comes down to the way the materials are bound together.
While the aggregates on their own, when tightly compacted, are not porous – with resin surfaces they are bound together in such a way that allows tiny holes to be left between each stone.
Wondering which porous sub-base to use to make the project SUDS compliant?
Open-grade asphalt is one option to allow water to fully drain through.
Another option is to install cellular grids as the sub-base, filled and compacted with MOT.
While there are many benefits to resin surfacing, it’s important to have the full picture before making a final decision.
Sometimes smaller stones in the aggregate mix do not allow a sufficient amount of water to drain through. Puddling can then occur if the resin surface has not been laid on a fully porous sub-base.
While you can source your own aggregate for resin surfacing, reputable manufacturers of resin-bound kits have researched and developed their products to combat these types of problems.
If you want to opt for a pre-made kit, look for a resin manufacturer that offers a warranty with its products. For example, Vuba offers a 15 year guarantee and says its products last upward of 20–25 years when installed correctly.
While resin-bound paving is, by its very nature, low maintenance, when the surfacing itself is not fully porous you may experience moss growth.
Moss or algae growth can create a slippery surface. But keeping on top of cleaning the surface – as we said before, simply with a jet wash – is enough to reduce or eliminate moss growth. Cleaning the area every few months, especially in dry conditions, will be enough.
Choosing a fully permeable resin-bound system will avoid moss growth altogether. Water will drain through when the surface is completely permeable, eliminating the conditions for moss or algae to grow.
While one of the great pluses of resin surfacing is the low maintenance factor after installation, using the wrong type of resin can cause surface defects and issues with fading.
If you want your new patio to have the same wow factor for years to come, choose a product that is stable to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and will resist discolouration.
Some resin-bound paving can suffer from cracks and bumps, so it’s important to choose a durable product with enough tensile strength for the job at hand.
Durability is an important factor, especially when it comes to resin driveways.
As a rule of thumb, resin surfacing is not ideal for areas that will attract heavy duty use. If a lot of vehicles will be using your drive, it may be best to consider a different paving solution.
That said, there are quality products on the market with significantly enhanced tensile strength.
As an example, Vuba’s resin-bound system offers 20 MPA tensile strength, which is 42% stronger than a standard resin system and classed as ‘Extra Hard’ on the Shore Hardness Scale.
Resin surfacing has so many plus points as a stylish, low maintenance, quick-to-install and permeable solution for outdoor spaces. Resin-bound patios make an easy solution that can greatly increase the value of your home.
That said, it’s important to choose a quality resin product that will stand the test of time. While you can source your own aggregate, specially made kits often come with a warranty and increased durability.
See our resin-bound paving FAQs for more info about this smart surfacing solution, or ask your question in the comments below.
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