PARKERSBURG, W. VA. - Following the successful passage of a jobs
package last week by the U.S. Senate, Simonton WindowsR expressed
appreciation of West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller's efforts for their
role in helping increase demand for energy-efficient products. The passage
of the bill is expected to add clearer understanding for consumers regarding
the federal energy tax credit, which should spur sales of energy-efficient
windows, and as a result, create more jobs.

   "The current stimulus bill providing tax credits to homeowners for
upgrading to energy-efficient windows has had a positive impact on the
manufacturing, distribution, installation and sales of energy-efficiency
products," says Gary Pember, vice president of marketing at Simonton
Windows. "However, this bill has been confusing for homeowners because the
qualifications are so different from ENERGY STARR guidelines for
energy-efficient windows in different geographic areas of the country.

          "Senator Rockefeller's proposal switches the requirements for the
tax credits to align with current 2010 ENERGY STAR criteria. This makes more
sense to homeowners because the ENERGY STAR guidelines are issued for
different temperature extremes reflected in different regions of the
country. ENERGY STAR has a successful history as a recognized,
understandable and trusted program for consumers. The past success and
overall awareness of the ENERGY STAR program among homeowners and trade
professionals makes it the ideal program for use as a standard with the
federal energy tax credit.

"When fully confirmed, this bill will allow homeowners throughout the
country to perfectly align the thermal performance of their windows with the
respective geographic area of the country in which they live."

Legislation currently pending would shift the federal energy tax credit from
the .30/.30 requirement to align with the 2010 ENERGY STAR standards. The
shift of the tax credit from the artificial criteria established in the
stimulus bill to the newest ENERGY STAR label requirements would help build
upon the success of the tax credit by providing consumers with the most
energy-efficient window--based on their particular home and climate zone.

Simonton Windows has provided additional support to homeowners by initiating
a promotion offering consumers up to $150 toward preparation of an
individual's 2010 personal income tax return at participating H&R BlockR
locations when they purchase 12 or more Simonton windows from select lines
that are eligible for the Federal Energy Tax Credit under the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  These are the same energy-efficient
windows that qualify homeowners for up to $1,500 in tax credit from the U.S.
government. The H&R Block promotion can assist homeowners in itemizing their
personal taxes by a professional in order to qualify for the federal energy
tax credit.

Simonton ENERGY STAR Glass Packages

"For the past 11 years Simonton has been an ENERGY STAR partner," says
Pember. "We fully support this program and have made certain that every
Simonton product line offers glass packages that can be ordered to meet the
four climate zones in the ENERGY STAR program.

"The tax credit has worked well so far, but it can work better with this
proposed change. At Simonton, our commitment to meet this higher level of
energy-efficiency provides homeowners, remodelers and builders with more
energy-efficient options than ever before."

Named for each ENERGY STAR climate zone, (Northern, North-Central,
South-Central and Southern) Simonton's ENERGY STAR glass packages provide
the optimal balance of thermal efficiency and value. Each package is
optimized for the particular product line and geographic zone in which the
window or door will be installed.  Selecting the right glass package is as
simple as:

1.       Specifying the Simonton windows and doors you want.

2.       Stating that you want ENERGY STAR qualified products.

3.       Indicating your climate zone.

The simplest way homeowners and building industry professionals can gain
information on ordering 2010 ENERGY STAR qualified Simonton vinyl windows
and doors is by visiting www.Simonton.com/EnergyStar.

For information on how homeowners may also qualify for up to $150 in
personal tax preparation fees from H&R BlockR when purchasing 12 or more
qualifying energy-efficient Simonton windows, visit www.Simonton.com/HRBlock.

          Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STARR qualified replacement and
new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant
products. For the second year in a row, Simonton ranked "Highest in Builder
and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door
Manufacturers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Builder and Remodeler
Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM. Simonton was also
ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies
sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best-In-Class Awards from
Market Research Associates.

    Founded in 1946, Simonton's hallmark has been to deliver its
made-to-order products in five days or less. Part of the home and security
business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton delivers award-winning
products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United
States.

For information

Call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686)

Or visit www.simonton.com