Industrial Manufacturing News

Instead of choosing just one worthy candidate for window and door restoration this year, JELD-WEN selected two of the nation's notable lighthouses. Both are significant national historic landmarks and in need of immediate assistance due to years of exposure and the lack of resources to maintain them.

The winning sites are Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Thomas Point Shoal, located near Annapolis, Md., and Great Lakes Lighthouse Wind Point, located on Lake Michigan near Racine, Wis.

"Thomas Point Shoal and Wind Point both have immediate needs for high-performance windows and doors that are architecturally compatible. Both have strong local involvement to facilitate a smooth replacement process," said Lynne Butterworth, community relations manager for JELD-WEN Window and Door Manufacturer. "Public voting from both the Chesapeake Bay lighthouse and Great Lakes lighthouse communities on jeld-wen.com was an important indicator of their support and architectural appeal."

As part of the selection process, JELD-WEN invited the
public to nominate lighthouses for new windows and doors. More than 40 historic structures were considered. Of that group, Chesapeake Bay lighthouse Thomas Point and Great Lakes lighthouse Wind Point together received more than 20,000 votes online at jeld-wen.com/lighthouse.

"We couldn't decide between the two, so JELD-WEN will help bring back the architectural integrity of both historic lighthouses while protecting the structures for years to come," Butterworth said.

Bringing Lighthouses Back to Glory
The window and door manufacturer launched the JELD-WEN Reliable Lighthouse Restoration Initiative in 2005. JELD-WEN is the only window and door manufacturer with such a unique effort, aimed at preserving treasured lighthouses nationwide. The pilot project for this national initiative was the restoration of the Umpqua River Lighthouse on Oregon's southern coastline in 2005.

Lighthouses are the perfect structures to demonstrate the reliability of JELD-WEN's windows and doors, designed to withstand even the harshest wind experienced by Great Lakes lighthouses and the rain and UV exposure Chesapeake Bay lighthouses endure. The restoration effort also showcases the significant challenges faced when renovating any historic home. As the largest exterior openings on any building, windows and doors are crucial to structural integrity. Infiltration of moisture, warping and cracking in these fixtures can compromise the entire building over time.

"JELD-WEN is to be commended for the company's interest in helping America's lighthouses. I wish more firms would follow your lead," said Bob Trapani, executive director of the American Lighthouse Foundation. "We in the lighthouse community are extremely grateful that JELD-WEN is there as a 'shining light' for preservation!"

Next Steps: Blending Performance and Historical Accuracy
Thomas Point is a National Historic Landmark and Wind Point is on the National Register of Historic Places. JELD-WEN architectural experts traveled to the sites to evaluate the existing windows and doors and start the process for designing new, historically aesthetic replacements.

Because of their strength and design versatility, the window and door manufacturer plans to donate JELD-WEN® Custom Wood windows built with solid pine AuraLast® wood, guaranteed to protect against wood decay and insect damage for 20 years, and JELD-WEN IWP® AuroraTM Custom Fiberglass exterior doors, engineered to withstand the rigors of nearly every environment, while being crafted to emulate the look and feel of a solid-wood door. Both the Maryland Historical Trust and the Wisconsin Historical Society have approved plans for JELD-WEN custom windows and doors that will evoke each structure's original 19th-century architecture. Installation at Thomas Point began in mid-May.

"These two installations are amazing places to showcase JELD-WEN's window and door manufacturing capabilities because of the classic architectural features and towering height of the Great Lakes lighthouse of Wind Point and the challenging conditions Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses must withstand, such as Thomas Point, which literally stands in Chesapeake Bay," said Rod Clark, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN.

Most Challenging Site: Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, the only intact, screw-pile Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse still in its original location, is screwed into the soft mud of the bay, surrounded on all six sides by water. Three of what are believed to be the original historical windows and all the interior doors remain on the first floor. Other windows are either boarded up or were replaced inexpensively, and the wooden exterior doors are deteriorating badly. These fixtures will be matched as closely as possible with new JELD-WEN windows and exterior doors to protect the building and satisfy historic guidelines.

"We are delighted to receive JELD-WEN's assistance in the restoration of our lighthouse," said Henry Gonzalez, lighthouse manager and vice president of the U.S. Lighthouse Society. "The new windows and doors will provide ongoing protection for the whole structure and enjoyment for thousands of visitors."

Classic Architecture: Wind Point Lighthouse
At 108 feet, Wind Point Lighthouse is one of the tallest Great Lakes lighthouses, and it certainly lives up to its name. Subject to gale-force gusts, its window openings are now mostly boarded up, some with portholes peeking through. The only recent replacement window is leaky and will not stay shut. Detailed drawings and photos are scarce, and other lighthouses designed by architect Orlando Poe are being researched to determine the style of the original windows and doors.

"The support of JELD-WEN Window and Door manufacturer is welcomed at Wind Point. The Village takes a tremendous amount of pride in our lighthouse and the product donation is a crucial boost to restoring the integrity of the tower," said Missy Peterson, caretaker of the Wind Point Lighthouse. "Currently, Wind Point is known as one of the most photographed Great Lakes lighthouses and I'm sure we will have people returning to shoot the new and improved look."

"As 20,000 annual visitors come to Wind Point Lighthouse, JELD-WEN's commitment and generosity will not go unnoticed. The Wind Point Lighthouse is a symbol of our community and it will be even more impressive after the restoration," said Jeff Peterson, Wind Point Lighthouse caretaker. The tower will undergo structural repairs before new windows and doors are installed.

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, inc. is the world's leading reliable window and door manufacturer. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with more than 150 divisions and more than 20,000 employees worldwide.
JELD-WEN is the official window, door and millwork provider of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS and title sponsor of the JELD-WEN Tradition. JELD-WEN was the only window or door manufacturer to be named 2003 ENERGY STAR® "Partner of the Year" by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Eleven JELD-WEN® product lines and all windows and doors constructed with AuraLast® wood have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. JELD-WEN® windows and doors have been honored by numerous consumer and industry publications. In 2005,
JELD-WEN® IWP® Aurora™ Custom Fiberglass exterior doors received a Consumers Digest Best Buy rating.

For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482, ext. PR036.