Summer is here, and alongside all of the excitement that comes with the most popular of holiday seasons is the opportunity to make a few home improvements, including potentially installing a new resin driveway.

Whenever you need a new driveway, our expert installers can work with you to ensure you get the perfect results that are possible with resin, but whilst it is possible to install a driveway at any time of the year, there are certainly advantages and disadvantages to choosing one season over another.

With that in mind, here are the positives and negatives of installing a resin driveway at different times of the year.

Summer

In some respects, summer is the best time of the year to install a driveway because the weather tends to be more consistent, reducing the risk of rain spoiling the adhesion and curing process.

However, there are some considerations to make when installing a driveway in summer. Resin sets best between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, and any temperature above 30 degrees can cause the resin to set too quickly, affecting the final look.

There are ways around this, but it does involve installing the driveway in the morning or later in the evening before the sun reaches its peak. It also will likely require the use of slow-setting, UV-resistant resins, all of which can affect the cost.

This, alongside the high demand for installation and the fact that many driveways are in constant use can affect the decision, although most people will still prefer a summer installation.

Autumn

Early autumn is one of the sweet spots of the year, particularly if summer-like weather permeates into September or even early October.

The temperatures have cooled enough to become optimal for both the materials and the installers, there is a lesser risk of delays caused by rain and enough time for the resin to completely cure before winter.

However, autumnal installations can sometimes be a race against time, as there is often a sudden cold snap in late September or early October.

Winter

Outside of particularly mild winters, the coldest season of the year is often the worst time to consider installing a resin driveway.

Resin typically needs to be installed at a temperature above five degrees Celsius in order to set properly and the surface needs to remain dry during the application process. A cold snap can cause the resin to take longer to completely set.

However, if the weather is unseasonably warm, it can sometimes be cheaper and easier to book an installation in winter, although it is always important to have a backup plan in place if the work needs to be postponed.

Spring

Whilst the early parts of spring can sometimes be too wet and cold to guarantee a consistent installation, once the weather begins to settle can be the perfect time to install a new driveway.

From May onwards, the temperature and weather tend to be consistent enough to ensure the best possible results, and it provides the longest possible time for the surface to settle before its first major test in winter.