[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

The river rock we have is not 'less quality'- just a different product.

It is not cooler (in full sun) than Kool Deck- as Kool Deck has a base of powdered limestone, where the river rock is composed of granite pebbles.
BOTH are cooler than plain concrete, however.

True Kool Deck is recommended (for best application) to be used on green concrete (that is, newly poured)
There are similar products (next generation acrylic) for use on older concrete, or to renew an older Kool Deck surface. (Kool Deck does fade)

If by the term 'cheap-o' you meant COST rather than quality, you've been misinformed on that.
Ours is slightly more than one inch thick and was hand troweled. Not inexpensive.
One of the best things about the rock is that it is water permeable. No puddles.
We have it both under roof and exposed to the sun, where it sparkles!

Kool Deck is neat too. We are incorporating it into our next new project.

Good analysis!!...And no, "cheap-o" was meant to convey how the realtor made us feel.