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

Oh, just one final doubt. I'm planning to first insert around an inch or 2 of rockwool, but would there be any problem adding freshly mixed plaster directly onto the rockwool? The idea is also to add some rigid plastic netting to reinforce the plaster, and a normal finishing layer of plaster But I'd like to know if it's ok that fresh plaster is "stuck" to rockwool fibres? Thanks.

Great ideas Andrea... :) Thanks for sharing. @Tiffany, Lol so funny.. yes, I will be sure to water for you.. and thank you for such a sweet and kind compliment. :) I'll leave the photo... as long as Andrea doesn't mind, don't want to take over her thread. The white couch.. no prob, slipcovers..so easily washed. No issue so far, but we never wear shoes in the house and keep eating to the kitchen/dining areas for the most part... crumb control. lol There are more than that...lol they are everywhere... I cannot wait for my new shelf to get here, I soooo hope it is not delayed...been waiting for a while.