Zo-E-Shield, the World's Best Energy Glass, Now Available with Weather Shield Windows and Doors

    MEDFORD, Wis.--November 1, 2006-- Zo-e-shield™, the latest advancement in windows and doors and the world's best energy glass, is an exclusive glazing system now available on many window and door products by Weather Shield® Windows & Doors. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, windows currently consume 3.8 quadrillion BTU's of energy annually in the form of heating and air conditioning loads at a cost of more than $30 billion. Zo-e-shield state-of-the-art glazing systems are custom engineered to improve a home's energy usage while protecting and enhancing comfort levels. This new, superior technology delivers the lowest center-of-glass U-values and solar heat gain coefficients; protects a home's interior from harmful UV rays while allowing more visible light into the home; provides exterior surfaces that are easy to clean, repel dirt, and reduce water spots; and reduces condensation. Additionally, Zo-e-shield offers options that can reduce sound transmission.

    An advanced, proprietary glazing system, Zo-e-shield has been created exclusively for use by Weather Shield Windows and Doors.

    The new Zo-e-shield glazing systems feature exclusive Real Warm Edge™ Spacer Systems, EasyCare™ coating, multiple layers of silver coating and inert gas-filled airspaces. Real Warm Edge Spacers, made from flexible, low-conductive, durable materials, create an effective insulating barrier against heat flow, sound and condensation. EasyCare coating is an invisible, permanent coating that resists dirt and causes water to "sheet off" rather than "cling" to the glass. Water spots are reduced and glass cleaning is made easier. In combination, these features provide unparalleled performance. "When you want a new computer, you buy the model with the most memory, power and advanced technology. When you buy windows, you also should consider the benefits of the latest innovations and technology," said Dave Koester, Weather Shield brand manager. "You wouldn't buy a new computer with 10-year-old technology. Weather Shield products with Zo-e-shield glazing are the most advanced products and yield exceptional results in energy efficiency and visible light transmission."

    Zo-e-shield is available in three performance levels: Zo-e-shield 5, Zo-e-shield 6 and Zo-e-shield 7. Each of the three systems yields lower U-values and solar heat gain coefficients and provides protection from harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation. A lower U-value signifies a more energy efficient unit; the lower the solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat transmitted through the unit. Zo-e-shield glazing systems can protect a home's draperies, furniture, floors and artwork from 95% to 99.9% of harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation and can provide up to 65% visible light transmittance without compromising energy efficiency.

    Zo-e-shield 5
    Advanced performance begins with Zo-e-shield 5, which features two panes of glass with a Real Warm Edge Spacer System and an inert-gas-filled airspace. EasyCare coating on the exterior surface, and a three-layer silver coating system provide excellent protection from heat gain/loss and fading from UV rays. Zo-e-shield 5 provides center-of-glass U-values of 0.24, a 50% improvement over the 0.48 U-values of clear insulated glass. With a center-of-glass solar heat gain coefficient value of 0.27, Zo-e-shield 5 offers a 65% improvement over the solar heat gain coefficient value of 0.78 for clear insulated glass - a difference that could result in substantial savings for homeowners in the south and west who may typically experience higher cooling than heating bills. Zo-e-shield 5 is available on all Weather Shield products currently offering a Low E2 glazing option.

    Zo-e-shield 6
    Moving up a step is Zo-e-shield 6, which has all the upgraded technology of Zo-e-shield 5 plus a laminated interlayer applied to the interior lite. This laminated interlayer improves safety, security and sound control for the home. Zo-e-shield 6 provides 99% protection from harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation and is available on select Weather Shield product lines.

    Zo-e-shield 7
    For ultimate energy performance, Zo-e-shield 7 is a triple-insulated glazing system with the standard EasyCare outer surface, a three-layer silver coated surface, an additional clear lite and a two-layer silver coated surface. Both airspaces created on Zo-e-shield 7 contain an inert gas and each has a Real Warm Edge Spacer. Zo-e-shield 7 provides center-of-glass U-values of 0.19 and a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.25, a 60% and 68% improvement respectively, over the center-of-glass U-value and solar heat gain coefficient of clear insulated glass.

    An advanced, proprietary glazing system, Zo-e-shield has been created exclusively for use by Weather Shield Windows & Doors. For more information on performance and product line applications for Zo-e-shield, call 1-800-538-8836 or locate an authorized dealer by visiting the Weather Shield Web site at weathershield.com and click on Dealer Locator.

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

    Barbara Knight, Communications Project Specialist
    Weather Shield Windows & Doors
    One Weather Shield Plaza
    P.O. Box 0309
    Medford, Wisconsin 54451
    715-748-2100 Ext. 3721 Office
    715/748-0169 Fax
    bknight@weathershield.com