Date: 17 April 2009
As a result, Shwinco Industries of Lynn Haven, Florida and Dothan, Alabama and Saflex, a unit of Solutia Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri have partnered to develop the first vinyl window system on the coast, for the coast to meet the toughest hurricane certification: Level E.
Designed to be used by essential facilities such as storm shelters, hospitals, police stations and firehouses, Level E is a step more stringent than the Level D large missile test standards that most hurricane building codes require. A tough building standard known as ASTM E 1996 Level E was designed to protect buildings and the people inside when evacuation is not an option. The standard requires a glazing system to withstand impact by a nine-pound 2x4 fired at 80 feet per second (Standard large missile - Level D – requires material to resist a 9-pound 2x4 fired at 50 feet per second).
Shwinco’s Level E certified single hung vinyl window is featured on their Dominator EXT product line, which was originally designed for residential applications but has received Heavy Commercial ratings with the ability to withstand increased design pressures. In fact, the Level E window achieved a design pressure (DP) rating of DP100 -- a rating that is unheard of in vinyl windows. The window is composed of a hybrid construction with a patent-pending vinyl, unitized structural design and a glazing package that includes Saflex protective interlayers. Testing was completed at NCTL laboratory in Orlando in March and meets ASTM standards for Level E protection.
When it came time to design the new glazing system, Shwinco designers knew that the glazing would require extra strength. As a result, R&D work began on a single hung window that could achieve Level E certification. Saflex helped make this possible by developing an economical way to meet Level E standards. “The product allows architects and owners to include beautiful windows throughout a structure while maintaining safety and managing costs,” says Matt Rose, Saflex commercial market manager. “Many projects in coastal regions have designed for or are considering Level E protection and the test standard is gaining support in municipal governments across Florida and the Caribbean in addition to non-essential business such as banks, corporate headquarters and data facilities.”
“There were no vinyl windows on the market that could pass Level E. We wanted to develop a product that essential facilities could use to obtain all of the energy efficiency inherent in a vinyl window while also satisfying Level E protection,” said Craig Shipp, Jr., Shwinco operations manager. “Instead of retrofitting an existing system to meet impact standards, our Level E single hung window was developed especially for this application. Saflex helped us develop improved hurricane protection that is powerful and affordable.” In contrast to other windows on the market, the Dominator EXT window is up to 1000 times more energy efficient than comparable aluminum windows on the market today. Available in sizes up to 36”x72”, the single hung, insulated glass unit systems can also be ordered with an optional Low E coating. The windows are available in 3 colors: white, almond & sandstone.
Shwinco Industries is a family owned and operated manufacturer of custom vinyl window and door products. Established in 1989 by the Shipp family and strategically located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Shwinco is one of the oldest vinyl window manufacturers in the country. The company specializes in manufacturing vinyl products designed to withstand the extreme weather conditions of coastal communities. Shwinco is also a member of Saflex’s KeepSafe Maximum™ Residential Partner Program whose members benefit from product and systems development and testing support in addition to ongoing marketing, dealer/distribution and sales support. For additional information about Shwinco, visit www.shwinco.com to contact Tim Gagnon.
Around the world, Saflex is the most trusted name in laminated glass interlayer technology, delivering consistent performance, durability and reliability. The Saflex branded family of protective interlayers has multiple benefits of laminated glass that allow architects and designers to use glass in applications without sacrificing structural performance. These benefits include safety, security, UV protection and more than 1,000 color possibilities.
For additional information about Saflex, visit www.saflex.com or call (314) 674-1223.
Note to Editor: Saflex is a registered trademark of Solutia Inc.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or “anticipates,” or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about the industries in which Solutia operates and Solutia’s ability to raise additional funds which is subject to market conditions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or achievements to be materially different from the future results or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk and uncertainties regarding the consummation of the transactions described in this press release or the timing thereof, including the possibility that the conditions to consummating the transactions may not be satisfied or that the transactions may not close, and those other risks and uncertainties described in Solutia’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under “Cautionary Statement About Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”, and Solutia’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These reports can be accessed through the “Investors” section of Solutia’s website at www.solutia.com. Solutia disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in response to new information, unforeseen events, changed circumstances or any other occurrence.
About Shwinco Industries, Inc.
Shwinco Industries is a family owned and operated manufacturer of custom vinyl window and door products. Established in 1989 by the Shipp family and strategically located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Shwinco is one of the oldest vinyl window manufacturers in the country. The company specializes in manufacturing vinyl products designed to withstand the extreme weather conditions of coastal communities. Shwinco Industries has licensed dealers with trained installers from the Atlantic Coast to Texas and Hawaii.
For more information on Shwinco products, visit www.shwinco.com.
For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for a sample, copy or demo), contact Tim Gagnon. Shwinco™, the EXT Series™, are copyright C 2005 and TM Shwinco industries, Lynn Haven, FL and Dothan, AL. All Rights Reserved About Solutia Inc. Solutia is a market-leading performance materials and specialty chemicals company. The company focuses on providing solutions for a better life through a range of products, including: Saflex® interlayer for laminated glass; CPFilms® aftermarket window films sold under the LLumar® brand and others; high-performance nylon polymers and fibers sold under brands such as Vydyne® and Ultron®; and technical specialties including the Flexsys® family of chemicals for the rubber industry, Skydrol® aviation hydraulic fluid and Therminol® heat transfer fluid. Solutia’s businesses are world leaders in each of their market segments. With its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the company operates globally with approximately 3,100 employees in more than 60 locations.
More information is available at www.Solutia.com.
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