Weather Shield | News Release

MEDFORD, Wis.—June 3, 2005—Renowned as the industry leader in finish options and colors for window and door exteriors, Weather Shield is adding a new copper anodized finish to their current collection of seven anodized finishes. Architects, builders and homeowners no longer need to worry about the design complexities and maintenance issues when choosing the classic look of copper. The new bright copper finish maintains its initial copper color and does not patina over time.

“This addition to our current collection of anodized finishes is in response to the trending towards expressing individuality in home design with low maintenance products,” says Jeff Williams, senior brand manager at Weather Shield. “Homeowners don’t want their homes to look like their neighbors, and they don’t want to spend their free time on home maintenance. Anodized finishes are the perfect answer.”

The new copper anodize finish does not require a clear coat or ongoing treatment to maintain color, enhancing the maintenance free aspect of this finish. Additionally, it can be designed adjacent to other aluminum materials, without the risk of galvanic corrosion risk, and it won’t leave copper run-off stains on building exteriors.

Combined with the company’s Accentials color system with eight standard colors (White, Cameo, Desert Tan, Western Adobe, Hartford Green, Obsidian, Brick Red and Craftsman Bronze), 47 designer colors, or virtually any custom color, Weather Shield continues to maintain its leadership position in finish options and colors for windows and doors

. Anodized Aluminum

Weather Shield adopted its collection because anodized aluminum offers virtually everything builders and homeowners want in window and door exteriors:

• Durability
• Color stability: holds up well to UV rays
• Resists chipping and peeling
• Easily maintained – does not require on going treatment to maintain color
• EPA-regarded as environmentally friendly
• Heat resistant to 1,221 degrees F
• Consistent: anodizing maintains the aluminum’s metallic appearance

What is Anodizing?

According to the Aluminum Anodizer’s Council (AAC; www.anodizing.org), anodizing is an electrochemical process that thickens and toughens the aluminum’s naturally occurring protective oxide. This coating becomes a part of the metal, but has a porous structure which allows infusion of coloring.

Weather Shield’s collections of eight anodized finishes include:

• Copper
• Clear
• Champagne
• Light Bronze
• Medium Bronze
• Dark Bronze
• Extra Dark Bronze
• Black

###

About Weather Shield Mfg., Inc.

Owned by the Schield family, Weather Shield Windows & Doors is one of the nation’s leading window and door manufacturers. Based in Medford, Wis., the company operates manufacturing facilities in Ladysmith, Greenwood, Park Falls and Medford, Wis., and in Logan, Utah. The Schield family also owns The Peachtree Companies, Inc., consisting of Peachtree® Doors and Windows, Crestline® Windows & Doors, and Vetter® Windows & Doors. The Peachtree Companies operates facilities in Gainesville, Ga., Huntington, W. Va. and in Mosinee, Wis.

For more information on Weather Shield products, call 1-800-477-6808, or visit the company’s Web site at www.weathershield.com.