New Ply Gem Enviro™ Initiative Aids Builders, Architects and Remodelers in Creating Sustainable Homes and Structures

 Cary, N.C. (Jan. 20, 2008) – At IBS 2009, Ply Gem, a leading manufacturer of exterior building products and solutions for the residential construction market, is paving the way towards a more sustainable industry and future with the launch of the Ply Gem Enviro™ initiative.

“It is all about accountability and measuring our impact,” says Keith Piques, senior vice president/chief marketing officer, Ply Gem. “We want Ply Gem to become the source for builders, architects and remodelers for sustainable education, information and products. Through our newly branded Ply Gem Enviro™ initiative, we have taken many steps to ensure we offer our customers valuable solutions for meeting their sustainability goals while reducing our overall corporate environmental impact.”

An Environmentally Responsible Company
Ply Gem utilizes a holistic approach to sustainability, and as such is partnering with industry leaders like the U.S. Green Building Council, the National Association of Home Builders and McGraw Hill Construction to develop sustainable practices and products that measurably contribute to improved operational energy efficiency as well as life cycle benefits of homes. In its own operations, for example, Ply Gem:
• Instituted a system-wide policy to reuse and recycle pallets and packaging materials, reducing raw material and land-fill waste.
• Installed an on-site ultra filtration system that prevents 80,000 gallons of waste from entering landfills.
• Reduced its use of city water sources by constructing a 3,000,000 gallon retention pond to capture storm water runoff for use in manufacturing.


• Increased the use of bare aluminum made from 90% scrap metal in production.
• Committed to recycling 100% of the scrap glass from its manufacturing operations.
• Transitioned its transportation routing system to reduce total miles driven by 4.5%, thereby reducing overall emissions and fuel consumption.

Environmentally Responsible Products
Many Ply Gem products in its vast portfolio of window and door, siding, fence and rail, and stone veneer brands are manufactured to be sustainable and require virtually no maintenance. Many also offer measurable benefits that help builders and remodelers earn LEED and NAHB Green Building points. For example, some of these features and benefits include:

Windows
• Many Ply Gem windows feature ENERY STAR® certification.
• Ply Gem Windows offer better insulation through high performance spacer systems and window frame designs.
• Ply Gem Windows use gas fills such as Argon and Krypton, which enable better insulation than regular air.
• Special coatings (Low-E glass) help windows reflect infrared light, keeping homes comfortable in extreme heat and cold.

Vinyl Siding
• Insulated siding products from Mastic® Home Exteriors by Ply Gem and Variform® by Ply Gem add up to an additional R4 of insulation, increasing overall wall system R-value by up to 23%.
• Ply Gem vinyl siding products do not contain silica dust – a material found in some fiber cement products that could potentially cause adverse health effects.

Fence and Rail
• Kroy by Ply Gem fence and rail products never need painting or staining, which reduces exposure to airborne volatile organic compounds and contributes to lower life cycle costs.

Stone Veneer
• United Stone Veneer by Ply Gem products are crafted from reclaimed content and contain inorganic mineral iron oxides, which ensure superior durability, and have zero off-gasing.


For more information on how Ply Gem products can contribute to building and remodeling sustainable homes, please visit www.plygem.com.

About Ply Gem
Ply Gem, headquartered in Cary, N.C., is committed to helping North America’s homebuilders, remodelers, architects, distributors, dealers and retailers do more than build homes. Ply Gem wants to help them build their business. The company offers an unmatched solution to exterior building product needs with a portfolio that includes leading window, door, siding and accessories, stone veneer, fence and rail brands so there is something for every project. Ply Gem siding brands including Mastic® Home Exteriors, Variform™, NAPCO®, United Stone Veneer, Kroy, Cellwood®, Georgia Pacific, DuraBuilt®, Richwood®, Leaf Relief® and Monticello® Columns. Ply Gem Windows manufactures and markets vinyl, vinyl-clad, wood-clad, and aluminum window and patio door brands including Ply Gem® Windows, CWD® Windows and Doors and Great Lakes® Windows. The company’s brands are sold through short-line and two-step distributors, pro dealers, home improvement dealers and big box retailers. Ply Gem employs more than 4,700 people across North America. Visit www.plygem.com for more information.


Contacts:
Kara Marmion, Gibbs & Soell Public Relations
Tel: 212-697-2600/ kmarmion@gibbs-soell.com

Valerie Capullo, Gibbs & Soell Public Relations
Tel: 212-697-2600/ vcapullo@gibbs-soell.com