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Wednesday, July 6, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Do take your countertops for graniteAfter just a few moments of talking to Elaine Prinsloo, it is obvious she adores granite. She and her husband Deon are owners of Prins Custom Countertops in Peachtree City, specializing in granite and other stone counters for the kitchen and bath. It is easy to see why Elaine loves granite so much. Step into the Prins showroom and you find yourself surrounded by sample slabs, ranging in almost every color of the rainbow, not just the traditional black. Some slabs sparkle with starry fragments, others look like masses of pebbles pressed together to form one solid piece. I have a passion for each slab of granite that comes in here, because each one is so different, Elaine explained. The different colors and veins and patterns almost seem three-dimensional and alive. Granite is formed when the hot liquid from the earths mantle rises and cools, forming a hard, fused stone. Granite is ideal for counters as its polish is resistant to household acids like vinegar, it is hard enough to resist scratching from knives, and it is heat resistant enough to take your hot pots and pans without needing a trivet. Because granite is a natural material, there are hundreds of documented colors and infinite variations of the patterns in the slabs themselves, making for a truly unique look. Along with granite, Prins Custom Countertops also sells marble, limestone and engineered stone, although owner Deon Prins admits granite is his favorite. All the counter tops come with a lifetime guarantee, and the Prinsloos are committed to making sure their customers are happy. Customers are the most important asset in our business, Deon said. Not just our new customers, but the ones who have been with us over the years. We are building long-term relationships, that is our goal. When it comes to choosing the right stone, the Prinsloos suggest coming into the showroom with an open mind, and be prepared to be overwhelmed by the selection. They suggest thinking about the existing colors, and even have samples of different cabinet door colors, so you can get a better feel for what the stone will look like with other existing features. We try to narrow it down to five different colors, and then we send the customer home with samples of all those stone. They can look at the samples with the wall color, the cabinets, the floor, the lighting, and normally narrow it down even further, Elaine explained. The process continues with choosing a type of edge, from a simple rounded edge to a more ornate waterfall cut. Prins experts will then come to each home to measure and install the counter tops. The process is complete within seven to 10 days. While Deon and Elaine will offer all their expertise and knowledge, they say the never pressure customers one way or another. We never push certain products, it is always up to the customer and what they want, Deon said. We interact with our customers to learn what they like, what suits their needs, and well work with their budget to make sure they are satisfied. Our goal is always to add value to the customers home. That is more important then just selling granite. Prins Custom Countertops has been open for four years in Peachtree City, where owners Deon and Elaine Prinsloo also make their home. Their customers range from homeowners remodeling their kitchens to interior designers and builders designing new homes. The Prinsloos say they enjoy living and working in the same community, because they are trying to build good personal relationships with their customers, as well as professional relationships. We are so proud of our products and proud to live in this community next to our customers, Elaine said. When I run into a customer at the grocery store, I want to be proud of the service I gave them. I dont want to have to duck away and hide my face, Deon added. Many of our customers will come back several years later just to stop in and say hi, and that is a good feeling. We want people to feel comfortable with us and trust the work we are doing for them. Prins Custom Countertops is located at 375 Highway 74 South, Suite E, in Peachtree City, near Crosstown Road. Showroom hours are 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and Saturday by appointment. Visit www.prinscountertops.com for information, facts, stone sample colors and much more. For more information, call 770-632-9695. | |
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