Performance Parameters — Saudi Climate Protocol
All drainage and slip-resistance figures are measured on installed surfaces, not taken from manufacturer data sheets. Binder hardness figures reflect Saudi temperature protocol testing at 70°C sustained — not ambient room temperature.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Drainage Rate — Installed (Permeameter) | 850 L/min/m² |
| Matrix Void Ratio — Installed | 20% |
| Wet Slip (DCOF) — At Installation | 0.45+ |
| Wet Slip (DCOF) — At 70°C Surface Temperature | 0.43+ |
| Aliphatic Binder Shore D — At 70°C Sustained, 48hrs | >75 |
| Polyurethane Binder Shore D — At 70°C (comparative) | 35–40 (softened) |
| Aggregate Abrasion — Los Angeles Value | ≤25% |
| UV Colour Stability — Aliphatic Binder | >2,500 hrs no yellowing |
| Binder Content by Weight | 7–9% |
SAR 70 to SAR 200 — What Changes the Price and Why
At SAR 70/m², the specification is 16mm depth quartzite aggregate in a single colour on a sound compacted base with no preparation required. Quartzite is hard, low-abrasion, regionally sourced, and durable under vehicle traffic. Between SAR 90 and SAR 140/m², projects begin including depth upgrades for higher load requirements, multi-colour aggregate blends, or modest base preparation work. At SAR 160–200/m², you are typically specifying imported marble or glass aggregate sourced per consignment from Europe — which is where the upper ceiling comes from — combined with larger aggregate sizes and depths up to 25mm for heavy vehicle zones. Every variable is identified at the site visit and itemised in the quote before any work is authorised.
The permeable drainage rate of 850 litres per minute per square metre is what separates resin bound from every other hard surface option. Tarmac drains zero. Concrete drains zero. Block paving drains 150–250 litres per minute through joints that degrade as sand fills in. After a heavy rain event — common in Jeddah and Riyadh — a resin-bound surface drains so fast that standing water never forms. We run a permeameter test at completion and provide you with the actual discharge record from your specific installed surface — not a manufacturer specification sheet.
Binder selection is where the Saudi market diverges from every UK and European specification. Polyurethane binders are correct for temperate climates where 35°C is the summer peak. At 70°C — the surface temperature of a Saudi installation in direct summer sun — polyurethane softens to Shore D hardness of 35–40. Vehicle tyres begin moving stones. Wet slip falls below the commercial safety threshold. Our aliphatic binder maintains Shore D above 75 at 70°C and holds DCOF above 0.43 at operating temperature. Every binder supplier we use is tested at Saudi operating temperature before authorisation. The test data is on file.
SAR 70–200
Per m²
Stone type, depth, and base condition determine position in range
70°C
Binder Heat-Tested
At Saudi operating temperature, not room temperature
850
L/min/m² Drainage
Measured on your installed surface with a permeameter
Zero
Loose Stones
Every aggregate particle fully binder-coated and locked
Five Specification Decisions That Determine Your Price and Surface Lifespan
Every variable in a resin-bound project is decided before installation day. Once these are confirmed in the written quote, the actual work proceeds without revision.
Stone Type, Size, and Aggregate Sourcing
Stone type accounts for roughly 60% of the total project cost and defines the visual character of the surface. Quartzite is the most durable for vehicle traffic — hard, low-abrasion, regionally sourced in multiple colours, and cost-effective. Marble is softer and requires UV-protective sealant recoat every 5–7 years in sustained Saudi sun. Glass aggregate is visually distinctive but sourced from Europe per shipment consignment — this is where the SAR 200/m² ceiling comes from. Aggregate size affects drainage: larger stones produce bigger void ratios and faster drainage but require more binder per m² to coat every particle fully. Every stone consignment is checked against BS EN 12620 grading certification before delivery is accepted.
Base Condition Assessment
A sound compacted base allows straightforward installation at the lower end of the price range. A deteriorated base with soft spots, cracking, or drainage problems requires removal and replacement before the resin system is applied — that remediation cost is separate and identified at the site visit. We include all base preparation costs in the written quote before authorising any work. No variables are added after the price is agreed.
Depth Specification — Residential vs. Commercial Loading
Standard residential applications and garden paths are 16–18mm compacted depth. Driveways with regular vehicle access or commercial surfaces are specified at 20–25mm to increase matrix compressive strength. Depth increase adds SAR 8–12/m² and is the most direct way to upgrade load capacity within the system. A 16mm surface under regular heavy vehicle traffic will deform at the contact points over time. The correct depth must be specified before installation — it cannot be added retrospectively.
Temperature Management During Mixing and Screeding
Aliphatic binder is stored in temperature-controlled conditions until mixing. At Saudi ambient temperatures above 35°C, pot life compresses from 25 minutes to 12 minutes. Every mixed batch must be fully screeded within one pot life window — material stretched beyond its working time produces weak bonds at the edges and loose stones in those zones. Installation is scheduled so that each batch is planned, mixed, and screeded within the available window. This operational discipline has a direct cost implication: we do not compress schedules to reduce mobilisation time.
Hand-Screeding to Preserve the 20% Void Structure
The 20% void ratio that produces 850 L/min/m² drainage requires hand-screeding against a depth gauge — never roller application. A roller compresses the void structure from 20% to 12–14%, cutting drainage by approximately half. The surface looks identical on Day 1. Over 12–18 months, fine particles migrate into the compressed voids and drainage falls progressively until the surface behaves as near-impermeable. Installers using rollers quote the same drainage specification. They deliver a surface at half the rate. Our permeameter test at handover is the confirmation that the specified drainage was actually achieved — not just claimed.
Resin Bound vs. Tarmac, Block Paving, and Stamped Concrete
| Feature | ★ Our StandardTarmac (Asphalt) | Interlocking Block Paving | Stamped Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
Upfront cost — Resin Bound: SAR 70–200/m² | ✓ SAR 45–75/m² — lower upfront cost, but Saudi summer heat triggers surface softening and resurfacing every 8–12 years | SAR 65–95/m² — similar starting cost; annual joint re-sanding and weed control are ongoing costs not in the quoted price | SAR 70–90/m² — overlapping price range; different purpose for pattern and texture, not drainage performance |
Drainage — Resin Bound: 850 L/min/m² measured | ✓ 0–5 L/min/m² — fully impermeable; all runoff directed to kerb drains | 150–250 L/min/m² — degrades as joint sand fills in over time | 0 — impermeable; drainage managed at perimeter only |
Heavy vehicle durability | ✓ Softens under heavy vehicles in Saudi heat but is inexpensive to resurface; absorbs load movement | Stable under heavy loads; individual blocks can be replaced; annual maintenance required | Stable under heavy loads when correctly specified; control joints required; sealant renewal every 3–5 years |
UV stability and colour retention | ✓ Darkens and oxidises over time; no colour variation options | Colour fades with UV exposure; joint sand discolours; weeds grow in joints | Colour fades without sealant maintenance; sealant protects colour and aggregate |
Loose stone risk | ✓ None — monolithic bound surface | None from blocks; joint sand migrates creating surface irregularity | None — monolithic bound surface |
Honest comparison for Saudi outdoor surface selection. Drainage figures are measured values for resin bound and published design values for alternatives.
Pricing and Technical Performance
Four variables move a project through that range. Stone type: quartzite sits at SAR 70–90/m²; imported marble or glass aggregate from Europe costs SAR 160–200/m² because of per-consignment shipping. Aggregate size: larger stones require proportionally more binder per m² to coat every particle. Depth: a 20–25mm heavy-load specification adds SAR 8–15/m² over a standard 16–18mm residential depth. Base condition: a sound base costs nothing extra; a deteriorated base requiring removal costs separately and is identified at the site visit. Every variable is itemised in the written quote so you understand exactly where your project sits in the range.
Polyurethane binders are specified correctly for UK and European climates where 35°C is the summer peak surface temperature. Saudi surfaces in direct sunlight reach 70°C. At that temperature, polyurethane softens to Shore D hardness of 35–40 — soft enough that vehicle tyres begin pulling stones from the matrix. The wet slip reading that measures 0.47 DCOF at room temperature falls to 0.30–0.35 at 70°C — below the commercial safety threshold. Our aliphatic binder maintains Shore D above 75 at 70°C and holds DCOF above 0.43. Every supplier is tested at Saudi operating temperature before their product is authorised. The test data is documented.
Over sound tarmac: yes, if the base has no soft spots, significant cracking, or drainage defects beneath. A proof-roll inspection at the site visit identifies soft zones; those are excavated and replaced before resin application. Over concrete: yes, if the concrete is structurally stable and the surface is prepared for adhesion. Over block paving: yes, if blocks are stable and joints are filled and compacted. Base condition assessment is part of every site visit, and any required preparation is costed and included in the written quote before work starts.
Resin-bound: every stone is fully coated in binder before laying. The stones lock together in a matrix; the drainage comes from the interparticle voids; the surface is flush and stable. Resin-bonded: binder is applied to the base surface, then dry aggregate is scattered onto it. Stones not fully embedded are loose from Day 1. The surface looks similar initially but loses aggregate within 18–36 months and cannot achieve verified drainage performance. The price difference between the two reflects what they actually are: a permanent system versus a temporary decorative surface.
Most residential installations of 60–100m² are completed in one day. Commercial projects of 400–600m² take two to three days. Vehicle access is confirmed after cure: 24 hours standard, 18–20 hours in Saudi summer when aliphatic binder cures faster than in temperate conditions. The permeameter drainage test is completed before vehicle access is authorised — the surface enters service with its drainage performance already verified and documented.
Tell Us the Stone You Like. We Will Quote Everything Else.
Send us your site dimensions, existing surface type, and stone preference if you have one. We will return a written quote that itemises every variable — stone, depth, base condition, drainage specification — before any work is authorised. The site visit is free. The price is fixed after it.