“Flowstone” – Complete Permeable Floor Kit – Pebbles & Resin

Upgrading outdoor spaces with a durable, permeable floor system is made simple with the “Flowstone” Complete Permeable Floor Kit. Designed specifically for the UK climate, this kit uses a combination of pebbles and resin to create decorative, draining surfaces suited for driveways, footpaths, and patios. For more options within the same category, you can explore other solutions in Pebble Floors.

The kit is tailored by surface area, offering step-by-step guidance for easy application and ensuring lasting colour integrity by using appropriate resin types depending on the aggregate colour.

What it is / What it’s for

The “Flowstone” kit is a complete solution for creating permeable pebble flooring using resin binders. This system results in continuous, decorative, draining, non-slip, and drivable surfaces made from marble pebbles and fine gravel. Its permeability allows water to pass through, reducing puddling and associated surface water problems.

It is suitable for various urban environments, including pool edges, bike paths, walkways, small roads, squares, balconies, terraces, condominium common areas, courtyards, parking lots, shopping centres, and other public spaces. The kit provides an economical and customisable finish, allowing users to select from multiple colours and granule sizes to best suit their surroundings.

How to use

1. Choose Your Colouring: Select the preferred pebble colouring from the available range. For ideal coverage, approximately 20-25 kg per square metre is recommended. ResinPro’s ready-to-use kits include all materials needed.
2. Gravel Preparation: Use washed and dried gravel (granule size 4-8 mm, considered the most universal). Gravel is ready to use directly from the kit.
3. Substrate Preparation:
   • Ensure the substrate is clean, level, and free of impurities.
   • Optional: Apply a coat of Transparent Epoxy Resin as a primer using a roller (about 200 g/m²). Dust with quartz powder immediately after applying the resin. Once cured, remove excess quartz.
   • If primer is applied, wait at least 8 hours before proceeding, allowing for environmental factors such as temperature.
   • If no primer is needed, proceed to the next step.
4. Create Your Mix:
   • Carefully weigh the chosen binder to add to the gravel.
   • For coloured gravel with epoxy resin (4-8 mm diameter): add 750 g of transparent epoxy resin per 25 kg of gravel.
   • For white or clear gravel with polyurethane resin (4-8 mm diameter): add 820 g of polyurethane resin per 25 kg of gravel.
   • Note: For polyurethane, precise mixing is important to avoid swelling and foaming. Use just enough binder to wet the gravel surface without dripping.
5. Mix Thoroughly: Blend the resin and gravel until the mixture appears “wet” and uniform.
6. Application: Spread the mixture evenly over the prepared surface using a straightedge, rake, or recommended tool to ensure full coverage.
7. Compaction: Compact the applied layer with a trowel or dedicated compactor to level and stabilise the surface.
8. Surface Reinforcement (Optional): For enhanced surface strength, once walkable, apply a thin coat of binder (100-150 g/m²) with a short-pile roller.

Tips & common mistakes

• Binder Selection: Choose the correct binder to match the pebble colour: use polyurethane for white aggregates to prevent yellowing and epoxy resin for coloured stones to maintain colour integrity. Avoid using epoxy binder with white Carrara gravel.
• Accurate Mixing: Measure and mix binder quantities precisely. Excess binder, especially polyurethane, can cause swelling and foaming, which affects the finish and durability.
• Surface Preparation: Inadequate substrate cleaning or neglecting primers can reduce adhesion and lead to premature failure of the surface.
• Environmental Conditions: Apply the kit at temperatures above 10°C. Lower temperatures may compromise curing and final results.
• Even Application: Ensure the resin-gravel mix is spread and compacted evenly to prevent weak spots and ensure a smooth, stable finish.
• Waiting Times: Allow sufficient curing time after primer application and before putting the surface into use to achieve optimal durability.

FAQ

Q: What type of binders are included in the kit?

A: The kit offers two binders: Epoxy Binder for coloured or natural-tone stones (not suitable for white Carrara gravel) and Polyurethane Binder “Polirock” for white or clear gravel, suitable for outdoor applications and temperature variations.

Q: How much material do I need for a given area?

A: As an example, for about 1.44 m² at 20 mm thickness, roughly 432 kg of stones and about 13 kg of resin binder (approximately 3% binder to stone ratio) are required. Kits are sized by surface area for convenience.

Q: What is the best temperature for application?

A: The minimum recommended laying temperature is 10°C. Lower temperatures might adversely affect the curing process and the result.

Q: How durable is the finished surface?

A: The system creates durable, permeable flooring suitable for driveways and footpaths that can withstand heavy loads and intense traffic, especially when epoxy binder is used.

Q: Can the surface be customised?

A: Yes, the kit allows choosing from a wide selection of colours and granule sizes to tailor the appearance to your specific requirements.

If further assistance is needed, ResinPro provides technical support to guide users during product selection and application. More information and contact options can be found at ResinPro Contacts.

Closing

The “Flowstone” Complete Permeable Floor Kit offers a practical, cost-effective way to renew and upgrade outdoor areas with aesthetically pleasing, draining pebble surfaces. With detailed instructions and expert support, it suits a range of applications from domestic patios to urban public spaces, making durable, attractive flooring accessible to all skill levels.