AMERICA’S UGLIEST DOORS FOUND IN NEW YORK, NORTH CAROLINA
MAUMEE, OH (April 25, 2006) — When the door experts at Therma-Tru’ Doors set out to find the ugliest entry and patio doors in America for the second year in a row, they didn’t realize what stiff competition was out there. They encountered double doors plastered in hot pink, single doors that looked like they were hacked with a chainsaw and patio doors hanging off their hinges.
In the national "Ugliest Door in America Contest" with the Carey Brothers, hosts of "On the House" home improvement radio show, Therma-Tru invited homeowners to submit a photo and brief essay declaring why they deserved a new entry or patio door system from Therma-Tru.
An elite panel of expert judges from the home improvement industry was comprised of Morris Carey and James Carey (the Carey Brothers); Sal Alfano, Editor-in-Chief,
Remodeling/Replacement Contractor; Colette Ortiz, Building and Design Editor,
This Old House; Steve Lawler, Producer,
DIY to the Rescue; and Bernie Ferrari, Product Manager — Exterior Doors, Huttig Building Products. They waded through more than 100 qualified entries.
The two grand prize winners were announced during a live broadcast of "On the House" on April 15. They will receive Therma-Tru door systems worth approximately $3,000 to $5,000. The actual door model, style and size will be determined by Therma-Tru based on the home. Construction is set to begin later this spring.
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Grand prize winners Darrell and Marie Dunnewold of Clymer, N.Y., really charmed our judges with their unusual entry door. The previous owner was an art teacher and had painted the entire door (including windows) a combination of "blue-grey and old-barn red." In addition, to the unique color pattern, the owner had attached a lion’s head knocker, "Hawaiian-style" window shutters and pineapple decorations. Besides the lack of light due to painted windows, the paint is chipping and rickety storm door is a size too small, which provides for very cold winters. The sticker in the upper left corner of the door stating "Please Use Other Door" says it best! |
| Second place winners Jerry and Gloria Schwartz of Matthews, N.C., have a security risk on their hands with doors that can easily be picked "with a butter knife or credit card." Because the doors and frame are made of wood, they are excessively rotting and constantly needing to be re-painted. The window seals broke during the last hurricane and the windows all have a cloudy hue. The doors leak cold and hot air based on the season due to poor weatherstripping. |
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"It’s amazing how much difference a new entry or patio door makes to the overall look and value of the home," said Sara Theis, Public Relations Manager, Therma-Tru Doors. "Just by replacing the entry door with a complete Therma-Tru door system with added decorative elements, we can increase the curb appeal and value of the home immensely. We can’t wait to see our two finalists" homes emerge with their brand new Therma-Tru doors."
Therma-Tru’s door designers are creating a new entryway for the Dunnewolds and an expanded patio door system for the Matthews, featuring Therma-Tru’s high-style, high-performance fiberglass doors and system components. The home renovations are set to begin in late May and are expected to be completed by mid-summer.
Recent research by Therma-Tru and TNS found that replacing an old entry door with a new fiberglass entry system increases the perceived value of a home by as much as $24,000 — up to six percent of the home’s value.
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.
