THERMA-TRU OPENS THE DOOR FOR FORTIFIED HOME IN ILLINOIS
New Weather-Resistant Construction Materials and Techniques Designed
with Mother Nature in Mind
MAUMEE, OH (November 3, 2005) – When tornadoes, hurricanes, high winds, driving rains and snow come calling at the front door, one home will be better prepared to endure nature's fury -- the new
Fortified… for safer living® home in Bolingbrook, IL.
The
Fortified home, the first in Illinois, has added protection against tornadoes, hail and severe winter weather - three of the state's most destructive natural elements.
Fortified... for safer living® is a new-home construction designation program of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a national non-profit organization established and supported by insurance company members.
Through the use of
Fortified techniques and construction materials, builders increase a home's overall disaster-resistance, beyond building code requirements. Building upgrades are chosen by the homebuyers and builders based on the kinds of extreme weather events mostly likely in their region. The 2,800-square-foot Bolingbrook home, located at 1 Keller Court, Heritage Knolls subdivision, features a state-of-the-art Double-wall precast concrete panel system for the floors and exterior walls, impact-resistant roofing, connectors to securely tie the house together from roof to foundation, and doors and windows with high wind and water pressure ratings.
Guarding the entries to the home will be Therma-Tru fiberglass doors, recognized for their resistance to damage from flying debris, wind and water infiltration The home's front entry will feature the Therma-Tru® Classic-Craft® Mahogany door system, which combines realistic wood graining and beautiful style with DP-100 performance. The other entries to the home will feature Therma-Tru® Smooth Star® door systems with the look of smooth-grained style and durable performance that outlasts steel.
"Everything on this home is designed with protection and durability in mind, and Therma-Tru door systems are a natural choice for their unbelievable performance against wind, water and structural damage," said Dave Bender, builder for Mustang Construction, which is leading the construction of the home. "They also deliver a beautiful entrance to the home that complements the home's architecture and curb appeal. With realistic-wood graining and elegant glass lites, Therma-Tru doors prove that performance can be beautiful."
Construction on the home has already begun, and it is expected to be completed in early spring. It will be used as a teaching showhome for construction professionals before being sold to the public. Sponsors of the home include Portland Cement Association, Institute for Business & Home Safety, Dukane Precast, Inc., and the AAA Chicago Motor Club.
About Dukane Precast
Dukane Precast, Inc., located in Naperville, IL, is a Midwest leader in providing high quality precast/pre-stressed concrete products. Their product line includes wall and floor panels, columns, spandrels and beams. These products provide low initial cost, reduced maintenance costs, fire resistance and long-term durability.
The Double-wall insulated precast concrete system-for both wall and flooring components, is a "total systems" approach to achieving the greatest energy-efficiency and life safety for both residential and commercial buildings. Dukane Precast is supplying partners of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building America Program.
Dukane Precast has earned several awards and certifications in the fields of energy-efficiency and storm safety. Dukane Precast was the recipient of the 2002 Environmental Product Award, given out by the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). The AEE represents over 8,500 professionals involved in energy-related industries and governmental programs. The precast concrete building system has been successfully tested by the Wind Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University—having sustained debris typically thrown by 250 mph winds -- proving the Double-wall system as an acceptable material for construction of above ground tornado shelters per the national FEMA 320 guidelines. For more information, visit www.dukaneprecast.com.
About AAA-Chicago Motor Club
AAA-Chicago Motor Club is a non-profit, membership organization, providing automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to 827,856 members in the states of Illinois and Indiana. It is a part of The Auto Club Group, the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin. ACG clubs belong to the National AAA federation, which has 47 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Please contact Kris Latham at (630) 328-7235 or klatham@aaachicago.com for more information.
About Portland Cement Association
Based in Skokie, IL, the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education and public affairs programs. For more information on the Portland Cement Association, visit www.concretehomes.com or call (888) 333-4840.
About the Institute for Business & Home Safety
The Institute for Business & Home Safety is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters. For more information about IBHS or the Fortified…for safer living® program, visit www.ibhs.org.
About Therma-Tru
Therma-Tru Doors manufactures the 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. 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.