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Concrete contractors are great at crafting cementicious materials into decorative features. But concrete isn't the only material some contractors are using to create custom decorative touches for homeowners. Even if you are loyal to concrete, you may be looking for ways to diversify or add to your services. In that case, you may want to consider the type of work Michael

Pizzolongo Sr. does.

Pizzolongo, also know as "The Pizza Man", is making a mark in home customization creating a faux brick look with stucco and concrete. Pizzolongo has over 30 years of experience in the industry, and considers himself both a contractor and an artist.

In the early 1980s, Pizzolongo started his own business in Tampa, Fla., where his primary clients were builders in custom home developments. In 1995, Pizzolongo moved to Tennessee where he reopened his business and has been serving the Sevier and Knox county communities since.

Pizzolongo now offers custom plastering, restoration and repairs as well as custom artisan stucco work. His stucco and concrete work has been quite a hit with his customers. He uses Sakrete brand stucco and cement color paints to make his decorative work a fraction of the weight but with the same look as traditional brick and mortar.

Pizzolongo says he likes to use stucco because it is a decorative finish meant for walls and ceilings as opposed to concrete, which is often used for floors. Pizzolongo says stucco is applied in a thinner coat than concrete, which helps account for its lighter weight. However, that thinner coat can result in a possible downside. "You don't have as much time to work with it as you do with concrete," he says. "Stucco material dries a lot faster."