With exterior decorative concrete applications, especially in Utah, you have to think about snow removal. When a driveway is colored and stamped to look like stone, it is harder to maintain. More care must be taken when shoveling to avoid chipping the edges of the patterns. It helps if the color is continuous within the slab, rather than an overlay, which will expose a different surface beneath if it separates.

While using decorative concrete inside a home may result in the interior look you seek, it has some disadvantages you should consider: A room with concrete floors can be noisy. Concrete counters are unforgiving when you drop something, and concrete floors can be uncomfortable if you are standing for a long time.

Also, concrete is porous, so if you choose a concrete countertop or floor, make sure you have the right sealant to discourage stains. Concrete floors can also be cold and must be insulated so as not to transfer the cold from the ground into the slab. An ideal solution is to install radiant heat, where you bury pipes or cables (depending on whether it is an electric or hydronic system) in the floor to heat it.

Decorative concrete is a trend that started more than a decade ago in California and has spread in popularity across the country. Although it has been around for a while now, it is still expensive and considered a high-end option. Prices are determined by the size of the job and the artistic method requested, but costs can range anywhere from $1 to $20 a square foot. Polishing and acid-staining the existing concrete is typically on the low end while stamping overlays and other decorative resurfacing is on the high-end.

Most concrete countertops are custom made and can cost anywhere from $45 to $225 per square foot. Although it is more expensive than other options, such as granite or tile, decorative concrete can be a beautiful option for your home whether applied inside or out.

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Architects Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon are the founding principals of Renovation Design Group, www.renovationdesigngroup.com, a local architectural firm specializing in residential remodels.