INDIANAPOLIS - Weather Shield Mfg. Inc., known for windows for new construction, has started a separate division to promote its vinyl windows in remodeling. ``Weather Shield is really one of the first wood window makers to specifically target and go after the home improvement market,'' said Dennis Peterson, Midwest sales representative for the new RetroVision line.
After years of extruding its own weatherstripping and other components, the Medford, Wis., company began extruding vinyl window profiles in 1992. A growing number of wood window makers also have diversified into vinyl, but most buy the extruded profiles from outside vendors. According to Plastics News' data, Weather Shield had estimated vinyl extrusion sales of $13 million in 1993.
RetroVision windows occupied the entire Weather Shield booth at the NARI show in Indianapolis.
Remodeling is the strongest market segment for vinyl windows. Remodeling unit sales of vinyl should grow more than 60 percent from 1990 through 1996, according to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association of Palatine, Ill. Vinyl surpassed aluminum windows in 1988 and will match the top remodeling material, wood, by 1996, AAMA projects.
Exhibiting at the NARI show allowed Weather Shield to reach dealers and remodelers. Retro-Vision has hired a new sales force and created promotional material for homeowners, according to Paul Gundersen, division manager.
Weather Shield extrudes the window profiles and does all fabrication.
By supplying nationally what are actually custom-made windows from a single location, Weather Shield will compete against the existing network of large vinyl extruders and small, local window fabricators.
RetroVision replacement windows are all-vinyl, but next year the firm will offer a vinyl window with wood on the interior side.
