With Corian and other solid surface countertop materials proving to be among the most requested items from a high percentage of today's home buyers, a Fayetteville-based company is now positioned to meet this need.

The company is Designer Solid Surfaces Inc., 130 Carnes Dr., Fayetteville, which fabricates and installs solid surface countertops.

The firm's primary product is DuPont's Corian, but the company also handles Wilsonart, Avonite and L. G. Hi-Macs.

Derrick W. Rogers, who is both a partner and general manager of Designer Solid Surfaces, said the company's main customers are home builders, homeowners, remodelers, commercial clients and the food service industry. The company has customers throughout the metro Atlanta area and the Macon and Columbus areas.

Noting that the use of solid surface countertops has increased tremendously in recent years, Rogers pointed out that kitchen and bath remodeling are two of the highest “returns on value” that a homeowner can do to his home.

He also pointed to recent studies which indicate that design and layout of the kitchen is number two on the list of factors in new home buying purchase decisions and that Corian is number one on the list of desired kitchen countertop materials.

The preference for Corian, he said in citing studies, is because of the material's durability and quality, beauty, easy maintenance, and seamless appearance.

Rogers said he also feels that many consumers buy solid surface solely for its ability to dramatically transform the looks of a kitchen.

Rogers also pointed out that while builders previously used Corian and other solid surfaces only in the most expensive luxury homes, more builders are beginning to use these materials in lower price range homes.

This was confirmed by Mary Collum, the Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty agent who is in charge of marketing homes in The Vineyards at Eagle's Landing, one of the neighborhoods in the Eagle's Landing master planned community in Stockbridge.

“Both of the builders in The Vineyards, Meyer-Sutton Homes and John Christian Homes, offer Corian kitchen countertops as a standard item in their homes, and I believe this is the major attraction in marketing this community of $112,000 to $140,000 homes,” she said.

“It's becoming more recognized and appreciated by consumers, and the prospective home buyers who come through The Vineyards are amazed that it's a standard item and not an upgrade,” she added. “They aren't accustomed to seeing this in communities with homes priced less than $200,000, and they feel it adds real value to a home."

Since a family spends approximately 64 percent of its time in the kitchen, builders are focusing more on upgrading features in the kitchen to attract buyers, added Rogers.

Founded 15 years ago, the Designer Solid Surfaces went through a name change and got new ownership two years ago. Rogers, who joined the company just under a year ago, was in sales in the construction industry for the past 18 years.

“I wanted to get into a business where I had more face-to-face contact with my customers,” he said.

“Also, I like the idea of contributing toward helping people with the American dream of home ownership.”

Rogers, in running the company on a day-to-day basis, also places major emphasis on the quality and service offered by the company.

“It's really the main thing we have to offer,” he said.

Designer Solid Surfaces, which now operates out of a 7,500-sq. ft. building in Fayetteville, has a staff of 13 employees. For information phone 770-719-8780.

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