Makes more sense to me to do a solid concrete walkway and driveway (and backup/turn around parking spot) and then outline them in pavers. But if you have the money and like the look, go for it.

"But I’m not sure I like the look."

If you are not sure if you like the look . . . you do not like the look.

"but they look $$$ too."

Looks can be deceiving. With everything, find out what it costs, NOT what it looks like it costs.

If you have an architect, see what options they can suggest. Hardwood can be slippery under some conditions. Seek out other houses in your area that are a similar style as yours and see what they have chosen. If you can talk to them about their selection. (caution: their response may be, "it was what our builder suggested")

I'm confused. The top pic that you like looks like broom finished concrete, not stamped?

Wood + coastal = a good bit of maintenance.

Thank you for the input.
I suppose if I had a choice, I’d go with hardwood front porch and walkway off the driveway. I’m looking at Tigerwood or Cumaru. Both weather out to be the same color.
Front porch/walkway would tie in with our deck too. I like the modern, clean look. I envision some short-growing tufts of beach grasses, perhaps some pebbles.
Driveway and turnaround will most likely be gravel.

Your builder wants to do as much work for you as he can to make as much profit off the job as he can.

Agree with Revolutionary gardens. Wood = maintenance.

I let a landscaper talk me into stamped concrete and hated it beyond all reason. It still looked like concrete, and over the course of a few years it aged very poorly. Worst house decision I ever made.

Thank you for that first-hand experience. That’s just the sort of feedback I was hoping for. I don’t know what it is about the stamped, but I’m not fond of it at all. Yet the contractor continues to tout it. I was beginning to think I’m simply incapable of seeing the aesthetic appeal.

Dcsam, you are incapable of seeing the aesthetic appeal because it has none. ;-)

We had the stamped concrete around our pool in our last house and if it wasn’t sealed every yr it looked awful. Never again.

Dscam, you are talking about stamped concrete as if all of it is the same ... like eating a hamburger and proclaiming, "I don't like American food!" Stamped conc. is highly variable and subject to the skill of the installer. I wouldn't recommend it unless one has a top notch installer. And probably a top notch designer, too. (Someone has to figure out how all the details are going to fit together.) Some of the less skilled ones can do a pretty bad job.

Wood near the ground is not going to hold up well anywhere near as long as concrete or one of the other masonry options.

The most important part of the walk/drive is getting the size/route/shape, etc. worked out well. If I were you, that's where I would be focusing my efforts. And then choose the material after all that is figured out.

Wood will be even slipperier when wet and stamped concrete can come in many designs and I love the look myself with a contemporary exterior. I would need to see your house to really advise. You can have stamped concrete done in large retangular sizes and layed just like the bassalt .

Houzz thread from June...

Stamped Concrete didn’t turn out as expected

Wood equals maintenance. Concrete can be done in a great contemporary look. Show your guy some photos of what you want

As others have said, wood in direct contact with earth is not long for this world. Wood decking is also an irregular surface and challenging for those using walkers and wheelchairs.

Gravel drives are an invitation for the cars to track gravel into the garage, and for pedestrians and pets to track it onto walks, decking and indoors.

Is the wood going to be close to the ground or up as you would have the deck? It will need maintenance either way.

The pavers look that you show is not expensive. Your second picture looks like bluestone, which is not that expensive. We considered it for our patio, but the color didn't go too well with what we had at the time.

I’ve looked at quite a few brushed concrete pics now and I’ve seriously considered all you’re responses. Brushed concrete is the direction I’ll go. The contractor will do the work. However, I do want to see some pics of his past pours and work. I’ll still have to decide what material to do under the covered porch (wood or concrete). Thank you all so much!!!!

Another thing to consider: the ground beneath your choice of material can shift. I would imagine that could create cracks in the concrete. If you use pavers, instead, then you have joints that can absorb the impact of shifting soil. Might be more expensive to purchase and install individual pavers, but I'm not convinced there's more maintenance. Once cracked, you'll either have to patch or entirely replace the concrete, neither option of which is particularly desirable.

LOVE!!!

IMO.....I think stamped concrete looks great and totally maint free!! I can't imagine it being slippery, that makes no sense. You can get in numerous styles.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=stamp+concrete+pictures&qs=AS&pq=stamp+concrete+pi&sc=6-17&cvid=A14A90C39A3A45CB9ACEC60788713F1B&FORM=QBLH&sp=1&ghc=1

Get 'several' quotes from local suppliers. Also ck here on cost.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=cost+of+stamped+concrete&qs=AS&pq=cost+of+stamped+&sk=AS1&sc=8-16&cvid=A4F678EE9E654B3FB1044D7389D251AA&FORM=QBLH&sp=2