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The lifespan of pavers varies based on many factors. Material is the key component, with concrete, stone, and brick pavers lasting up to 100 years, while clay pavers usually only last around 25 years. To maximize your pavers’ lifespan, you should keep your paver patio or walkway clean, add sealant every few years, and keep the joints sealed with polymeric sand as needed.

Interlocking pavers can last 50 years or more, but you’ll need to keep up with some basic routine maintenance to get the most out of them. This includes regularly applying a sealant and keeping up with any weeds that start to grow within them. Avoid metal shovels in the winter, and only salt the pavers ahead of snow and ice if the pavers are part of a necessary walking path—salt and other chemical-based de-icers can take a toll on your pavers over time.

You can walk on newly sealed pavers as long as they’ve had enough time to dry and cure—typically after 24 hours for patios and walkways. Even so, don’t rush it. Humidity, temperature, and the type of sealant you use can stretch that window up to 72 hours. Rushing it can leave footprints or even damage the finish, especially if the surface hasn’t fully hardened. For driveways, wait at least three full days before parking or driving over them. Always check your sealant label for the most accurate timeline, since not all products cure the same way.

Gravel driveways are the most economical driveway material, followed pretty closely by asphalt and concrete. At about $1 to $3 per square foot, gravel is about a third of the cost of either of the more common alternatives. But, not everyone likes the look and feel of the material and may opt to pay more for something that looks better.