PRESS RELEASE Ontario Window Company Showcased in U.S. Model Home Burlington, Ontario. July 6, 2006: Taking the lead in reducing energy costs for homeowners, Pollard Windows is partnering with BASF, the chemical company, to produce one of the most energy efficient homes in the U.S -- the BASF Better Home, Better Planet Initiative: Near-Zero Energy Home in Paterson, New Jersey, an international showcase for innovative energy design (www.betterhomebetterplanet.com). Senior Corporate Architect and Project manager for the BASF project, Gary DeSantis says, “Pollard Windows provided the Near-Zero Energy Home with elegant, high performance windows.” According to DeSantis, the lead free vinyl cladding is weather-resistant and will not flake, peel, rust, or corrode, also making the windows maintenance free. In an average home, about 38 percent of heat loss is through the windows and doors. Installing energy-efficient windows can reduce home energy costs by as much as 15 percent. Pollard’s Low-E (low emissivity) glass windows help make the Paterson house 80 percent more energy efficient than a home built to model energy codes established by the U.S. Department of Energy. “The particular brand of Low-E glass we use, Solarban® 60, makes all the difference,” says Gary Pollard, owner of Pollard Windows. “Solarban® 60 is unique because it also offers solar control and that’s essential for comfort.” Pollard explains that this feature blocks direct solar heat gain year-round, while keeping the inner window panes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Condensation around the window and the transmission of ultraviolet light are both reduced. The special coating also protects against the fading of paintings, curtains, furniture and other objects in a home, an added benefit that protects interior decor. Pollard notes that the vinyl extrusions in his windows are 500 percent thicker than typical aluminum cladding, increasing durability while allowing for air to circulate between the cladding and the wood, and reducing heat loss. The windows are tested to the American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association (AAMA) and the National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC) standards which includes both thermal modeling and physical testing (air infiltration, water penetration, structural pressure and thermal validation). The product garnered high ratings under guidelines developed by the American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association and is also an ENERGY STAR® qualified product. And, according to Pat Gaylor, Interior Designer for the Better Home, Better Planet: Near Zero Energy Home, the windows are not only high performing, “They set the tone and design for the entire home, adding tremendous detail and character to the overall aesthetic design of the home.” About Pollard Windows Pollard Windows was founded by a young visionary with a strong work ethic. Norman Pollard arrived in Canada in 1947 ready to embrace a new life for himself and his family. A skilled carpenter, he taught his wife and children everything he knew about woodworking. And in 1948, the family business was born. The Pollard formula for success was simple: work hard, reinvest in new technology, and give customers more for their money. Today, Pollard operates out of a 300,000 sq. ft. plant and is recognized as a leader in window manufacturing technology. For more information call the Pollard Windows Marketing Department at 1-800-263-6616. -end- Close Window