Hi Mangomoon, I'm not an expert in this stuff but i did build 2 concrete paver walkways a few years ago. Here's what I remember from my research back then and my experience. "Traditional" brick is made from clay. Good for walls and fireplaces but has some drawbacks for walkways and patios. One thing is that they can chip pretty easily. Modern "pavers" are made from concrete and are designed for strength and durability as walkways and patios. They are available in many different shapes, sizes and colors, even "brick" look-a-likes. There are many manufacturers and costs vary widely. Poured concrete is a relatively inexpensive way to create a patio or walkway but doesn't offer many design options. However, one can add color to concrete and there are concrete "stamps" that can be used to create a faux stone or brick look. Bricks and concrete pavers are usually installed on a base of sand and gravel. Sand is usually used to fill the gaps between joints. As such, they do allow some water permeability. Still, it is recommended that the project be gently sloped to allow water to run-off away from the nearest building structure. This will be more critical with poured concrete. Heat retention will depend largely on the color chosen. Lighter will be cooler. I'd be surprised of there is much of a difference between similarly colored bricks or concrete but I don't know for sure. I think brick and concrete will have the same "hardness". The skill level required to build a simple square patio with pavers isn't too high. It is more physically demanding than anything else. And, most of the work is in the base preparation. i.e. excavating, getting it level, put in a gravel base, then put in a level sand base. Indeed, the better the base preparation, the better the final job. If you use a concrete paver, installation is easy. If you don't have to make any cuts, no special tools are required. I'd suggest looking at some of the manufacturer sites for concrete pavers, if you think you might like to go that way. I used Unilock brand (others are Bolduc, Belgard, Nicolock...just Google "interlocking pavers"). Good luck...

Well You all know I had to chime in..... I have been following the forum for about a year as we are looking for a product for our deck. We are in Vegas and DH is in the business. This is NOT a solicitation, I assume you have your own PB. Spraydeck - many brands, definitely cool enough in 110, warm but not hot A few different techniques to install it, best to go see the installers jobs or samples to see what you are getting as far as design and look of his brand. Pavers - NPT carries Artistic, Gothicstone and Durango pavers. Supposedly they are cool enough to walk on, I haven't tried them myself. They are gorgeous. Pricey too. NPT is in the SW area of town. I am looking at a natural stone product here, it is lighter in color and have a sample out in the sun as we speak. It is warmer than my old "kooldeck", but we have hit high 90's in the last few days and this stone is still in the running. I don't have a price on it, but DH says it is less than the NPT pavers.It looks like rough cut pavers, random sizes. Thin pavers - these go over old concrete and I have put samples out for a week in 105+ heat. The lighter colors are cool enough to walk on, made with white concrete. You dont need these, they are for pool re-do, although I guess in Fla they use them over sand for new pools too. Just comes down to budget for me, as well as being cool. I don't want to have to wear flip flops to get to my pool. Hope this helps, Barb

We have cedar siding. We live on the CT shore. I wish we had vinyl because it's easier to powerwash. We have to wash every other year. Off the coast two miles we might not have to do it but every 5-6 years. Brick is not common in New England. It was reserved for public buildings & not many of those. Most were hand-chiseled granite block which we have lots of. New England had/has lots of trees for siding. We do not have clay for brick building. Clay had to be shipped up from the Manhattan area in the colonial days where there was a thriving pottery industry as early as 1st Q 18th century. It was easier to get bricks in Vermont than Connecticut or Massachuesetts because they brought it up the Hudson to Vermont hence the pottery industries in Bennington. End of history lesson. Today's vinyl is very nice & virtually maintenance free. Quirky, if you lived in New England you'd have a tough time with your vinyl phobia. Depending on exact size & age it costs $15-$40K+ to repaint a colonial-style home in New England & it has to be done every 5 years, or so. The older the home the more expensive the paint job. Old wood & paint are like oil/water. Paint just doesn't stick on old wood no matter what the prep. We have lots of experience with old wood siding in New England. New homes are vinyl. There are five $2.5M homes being built near me. They are vinyl wrapped. We can be crusty on occassion here; but we are not stupid. Also, a New England Cape Cod, Saltbox, or Colonial home would look just plain silly with brick, rock, or some other hard-looking material. It would be like having Cape Cod weathered shingles on a sprawling ranch in New Mexico. Tricia

HI -- They do get a patina with ageing but you can also get stains and paints for concrete that you can choose a color you like . Consult with a good paint store . Also maybe get some advice from a landscaping company to see what can be done to make it look better and fit in with the houses style and landscaping. I think being you just bought the cottage it is too soon to pick a feature out to dislike . Give yourself some time to know your new home . You can find info on Pinterest for making moss grow on concrete and plant pots . Enjoy your new home .