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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.

Yes, you can retrofit an existing driveway, but this usually involves cutting grooves into the driveway, installing the heating elements, then sealing them. While this is much less expensive than typical heated driveway systems, the final appearance could be diminished. Speak with a driveway paving company to confirm which design method is best for you.

Concrete is often the default material for a driveway apron, and many local building codes may require this. If you’re not restricted to concrete, however, you can consider alternative driveway apron ideas, such as asphalt, pavers, or gravel. You can also stamp the concrete for an interesting texture, add color to the concrete for a little extra character, or add a swirled trowel finish to your concrete driveway apron.

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.