NEW CLASSIC-CRAFT® AMERICAN STYLE COLLECTION™ KNOCKS OVER THE COMPETITION
Arts and Crafts Style Doors Make a Comeback with High Marks from Homeowners and Contractors
MAUMEE, OH (June 21, 2006) – The new Classic-Craft® American Style Collection™ from Therma-Tru® Doors is a reflection of the Arts and Crafts Style, providing structural simplicity; understated, straightforward style; solid construction and linear design. The Collection was launched in July 2005 and was recently honored with a Most Valuable Product Award from
BUILDING PRODUCTS magazine.
The concept for the American Style door was driven by the resurgence in Arts & Crafts style and Bungalow homes across America. Therma-Tru's product management team set out to create a stylish entryway for these homes that provided modern performance and energy efficiency. Like all Classic-Craft fiberglass door systems, the new Collection provides the texture and feel of a real wood door and delivers the performance and lasting durability of fiberglass.
The American Style Collection is an excellent example of how Therma-Tru has integrated advanced materials and innovative manufacturing techniques with unique design to produce door systems that elevate the presence and performance of the home – and contractors are eagerly responding to this.
“I started using a Craftsman style wood entry door in a Michigan condo project three years ago. I wish the American Style fiberglass collection was available then because fiberglass solves so many problems,” said Bill Aukeman, Aukeman Development, located in Zeeland, Michigan. “We turned to Therma-Tru and fiberglass because we’ve had such problems with wood getting beat up by the sun, warping and the finish peeling. Customers love the look of these Arts and Crafts style doors.”
Contractors benefit from a proven reduction in callbacks and increase in profit for many reasons:
- Durability – Fiberglass does not rot, shrink or swell like wood doors or dent, rust or corrode like steel. It can also withstand the wide temperature ranges found throughout the United States and meet Housing and Urban Development codes.
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Weather-Resistance – American Style doors have a Design Pressure Rating (DP) as high as DP100, which exceeds the industry standard significantly and is equivalent to the static pressure generated by a 250 mph wind.
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Energy Efficiency – Therma-Tru doors offer five times the insulation of wood doors and virtually eliminate air infiltration problems.
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Security – Fiberglass doors are more resistant to forced entry than wood doors. The optional multi-point locking system secures the door in three places. Fiberglass doors can be produced to meet fire resistance standards and Therma-Tru's break-resistant tempered glass protects the home from elements and intruders.
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Water Penetration – Therma-Tru door systems provide extra protection with self-adjusting sills that maintain a tight fit between the door bottom and sill cap.
The American Style door is designed to provide the utmost in durability, weather-resistance, security and performance, and also comes with a full-system lifetime limited warranty.
“I like the American Style door because I am able to offer it to customers throughout Minnesota, and be assured that it’s stable. Wood doors can’t handle all the climate changes in Minnesota, but Therma-Tru doors provide the natural wood look and you’re able to stain them,” said Erek
Swenson, Swenson Construction Homes, Inc., located in Elk River. “With
the return to the Craftsman look in homes, the American Style doors are
definitely a very stylish addition. I’ve received really good feedback
from customers.”
The American Style Collection was developed by Therma-Tru R&D engineers using the company’s proprietary Classic-Craft design and AccuGrainTM technology with contractors and homeowners’ preferences in mind. Therma-Tru’s superior, patented graining process delivers lasting beauty and realistic wood graining unmatched in the industry. Therma-Tru’s research, design and development took place at its Advanced Technology Center, which was designed to develop leading-edge products for residential and commercial door systems, to improve manufacturing processes and conduct material science for the building industry.
“I’ve worked with Therma-Tru for over 10 years, and I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. These are great doors! Wood doors are known to be nice looking, but climate is very hard on them. Wood warps, splits and cracks and you don’t have that with fiberglass, said Kent Lillehaugen, Scherer Brothers Lumber, located throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. “Therma-Tru has done a great job with their Classic-Craft Collection. Customers are thrilled with the American Style door – they look at it and love it instantly. They think it’s wood. It looks exactly like a Douglas Fir grain. Therma-Tru makes my job easy because I don’t have to deal with any problems down the road.”
Therma-Tru Doors is the nation’s leading manufacturer and most preferred brand of fiberglass and steel exterior door systems. Founded in 1962, Therma-Tru pioneered the fiberglass entry door industry, and today offers a complete portfolio of entry and patio door system solutions, including decorative glass doorlites, sidelites and transoms, and door components. Therma-Tru, part of consumer brands leader Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) is headquartered in Maumee, OH. For more information on Therma-Tru Doors, visit www.thermatru.com or call (800)537-8827.
CONTACT: Therma-Tru, Sara Theis, 419-891-7400 ext. 7426.