NEW WEATHER-RESISTANT BUILDING MATERIALS BY THERMA-TRU DESIGNED WITH MOTHER NATURE IN MIND
Therma-Tru Opens the Door on the First Fortified Home in Illinois
MAUMEE, OH (June 21, 2006) – Therma-Tru® Doors, which pioneered the fiberglass door industry, along with its Advanced Technology Center, conducts extensive research and testing to develop door systems that perform in harsh weather conditions and have the potential to create greater safety for residents in hurricane and tornado-prone areas of the country.
The goal for weather-resistant construction is to reduce or eliminate a breach in the outer building envelope. What occurs in some extreme weather situations is that the windows or doors fail under heavy rains and strong winds. This causes the home to become internally pressurized, which can force the roof to lift off of the home or the exterior walls to explode outward. Often, some of this damage can be limited or prevented with innovative building materials and construction techniques.
The Home Safety Council (HSC), which annually recognizes products and manufacturers for their safety innovations, has selected Therma-Tru products for the past two years to receive its commendation seal for safety innovation.
For 2006, the Therma-Tru Security Strike Plate, designed to help protect homes, was an HSC winner. Constructed of 20-gauge steel, the Therma-Tru security strike plate wraps around and reinforces the vulnerable area of the jamb. It then anchors the entire assembly directly to the rough opening structure using two-and-a-half-inch screws.
The HSC selected the Therma-Tru® Classic-Craft® fiberglass door system to receive its commendation seal in 2005. The door systems were selected because of their outstanding performance in harsh weather conditions and the potential to create greater safety for residents in hurricane-prone areas of the country. The Classic-Craft doors have a Design Pressure Rating (DP) as high as DP100, which exceeds the industry standard significantly. The DP rating reflects the level of wind force a door system can withstand without failing, leaking or cracking. The Therma-Tru doors can withstand 100 pounds force per square foot – equivalent to the static pressure generated by a 250 mph wind.
Other weather-resistant products by Therma-Tru include:
- The new Tru-Defense™ line of Fiber-Classic® and Smooth-Star® Hinged Patio Door Systems have a minimum DP-40 air, water and structural performance rating and are independently tested and certified by NAMI (National Accreditation and Management Institute). Tru-Defense systems are designed to work together as an integrated system, which most other door manufacturers do not offer. All the components in the new Tru-Defense systems maximize the seal between the door and the frame, virtually eliminating air and water infiltration. New Tru-Defense System solutions include a High Dam Sill, Rain Deflector, Astragal with dual-durometer triple seal boot design and patent-pending Corner Seal Pads.
- In early 2005, Therma-Tru Doors introduced a line of Fiber-Classic® and Smooth-Star® Sliding Patio Door Systems. The Sliding Patio Door Systems have a DP-55 rating for air, water and structural performance and are available in 6'6", 6'8" and 8'0" heights with four panel configurations in widths up to 12’0”.
- Therma-Tru Slim-Line™ Patio Door Systems offer extreme weather protection by withstanding high winds, coastal storms and windborne debris. Impact Rated Glass features laminated glass that has been subjected to rigorous missile impact testing and can withstand hurricane conditions. The new glass has a DP-50 water, structural and windborne debris rating on units up to 8’ tall and 9’ wide. This rating assures the unit can structurally withstand 171 mph winds, water penetration of 8” of rain per hour driven by 54 mph winds and air infiltration equal to 25 mph winds.
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, Ill.
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 home 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 is almost complete, and it is expected to be completed this summer. 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.
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.