When Remodeling for Resale, First Impressions Start at the Front DoorTherma-Tru Doors Creates Valuable Curb Appeal with Minimal Ivestment

MAUMEE, OHIO (October 19, 2006) - Gone are the days, at least for now, when you'd simply put up a "for sale" sign and watch as the offers rolled in, sometimes even above your asking price. According to the National Association of Realtors, an imbalance of home prices and inventory is expected to result in lower fourth quarter home sales than projected. As a result, homeowners are forced to choose between putting their homes up for sale, or sitting tight and remodeling to make them more attractive to buyers. But the question is, what to remodel to get the best payoff? Nearly half of all homeowners selling their homes will complete a remodeling project to make it more appealing to buyers, according to a study released this year by the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), the leader in research and information on the home improvement industry. Most (61 percent) will initiate a remodeling project before listing the home; 24 percent after the home is listed but before an offer; and still 12 percent after the offer has been made.

Add the character of a rustic entryway to your home's Southwestern or European country architecture with our Classic-Craft Rustic Collection.

While the most popular areas of the home to remodel include the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, with new paint or flooring being a priority, one of the best investments can be a front entryway remodel. In fact, research conducted by Therma-Tru® Doors found that an enhanced entryway can add as much as $24,000 to a home's perceived value -- as much as five times the cost of the replacement. Other on-the-surface investments can make a difference as well: according to Remodeling Magazine's "2005 Cost vs. Value Report," window and siding replacement are two remodeling projects with the "highest four-year increase in recouped value," indicative of the importance of curb appeal to homebuyers.

"When they're remodeling for resale, homeowners often overlook the value of the view from the street -- and the dynamic first impression that the entryway has on potential buyers," says Tom Dorger, business manager, Therma-Tru Doors. "As the nation's leading manufacturer and most preferred brand of fiberglass and steel exterior door systems, we provide homeowners with cost-effective options to upgrade their entry and patio doors, add curb appeal and make their home stand out on the block."

Rustic Yet Charming
Having a feel for your home's architectural style is the first step in determining the door style that makes the most impact. For example, if your home reflects southwestern or European country architecture, Therma-Tru's Classic-Craft® Rustic Collection™ is a perfect fit. The Rustic Collection harkens back to an era when artisans meticulously crafted each wood door by hand. While these doors replicate the look and real wood graining of natural stained wood, their durability and performance does not. The Rustic Collection is crafted of fiberglass and will not rot, warp or split like a traditional wood door and is ENERGY STAR® compliant, offering five times the insulation of a wood door.

New this year, Therma-Tru introduced the 8' Rustic Collection door with Ashurst™ and clear glass doorlites for the upper section of all multi-paneled door styles in a 3' width. Natural light will pour in through clear reflective bevels and double water glass with a choice of brushed nickel or black nickel caming. The beauty of Ashurst decorative glass combined with the old world charm of the Rustic Collection creates a casual elegance for any home. The Rustic Collection is available in a 6' or 8' height with an arch, radius or square top.

Affordable Yet Stylish
Replacing the entry door doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, Therma-Tru's Smooth-Star® line is an excellent value in a fiberglass entry door and is built to handle day-to-day traffic without denting or rusting like steel doors. Therma-Tru has expanded the Smooth-Star styles available with the introduction of a 2-panel and 4-panel door with arch embossing. The Smooth-Star door can be painted or stained to reflect the look of fine wood. The full door system is backed by a 20-year limited warranty and is available as a 20-minute positive pressure fire door.

Adjustable Yet Durable
Over time, as a home settles in, it will shift, resulting in an imperfect door opening. Giving homeowners and contractors greater adjustability for replacing a door, Therma-Tru has introduced a new Steel Edge Adjustable Hinge Door line with a movable hinge feature and high-definition styling. The up and down adjustment of 5/16" in either direction allows for an ideal fit between door bottom and sill (5/8" total). The in and out adjustment of 1/8" in either direction seals the door and weatherstripping and allows for "tuning" latching between the door latch and frame keeper (1/4" total). Fortunately, homeowners don't have to sacrifice style for performance. The Steel Edge Adjustable Hinge Door line has high-definition styling with deeper embossment contours and greater shadowing for a more attractive appearance.

Beautiful Yet Efficient
Not only do Therma-Tru entry doors add aesthetic value, they also add to the efficiency of the home as gas prices fluctuate. Therma-Tru's residential fiberglass and steel entry door systems doors are ENERGY STAR compliant, and actually exceed these strict requirements. To qualify as an ENERGY STAR product, an entry door system and its glazing must meet specific U-value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient requirements.

About Therma-Tru
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, headquartered in Maumee, OH, is part of leading consumer brands company Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO). 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.