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Whirlpool Corporation Commends Centex as Excellence in Sustainability Award-Winning Builder

July 15, 2009

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (July 14, 2009) Centex Corp. has been selected to receive a Whirlpool Corporation Excellence in Sustainability award for its sustainable insight in the building community. Centex is the inaugural recipient of the award, which recognizes recent projects that demonstrate sustainable building practices, as defined by LEED(R)and NAHB guidelines, while featuring sustainable appliance options from Whirlpool Corporations portfolio of brands. The Excellence in Sustainability awards are part of the Whirlpool Corporation Green Touch(TM)Program, which helps make it easier to design, build and market sustainable homes. The program provides builders with a variety of practical solutions to help make a sustainable difference, such as sustainable product options, design tools and marketing assistance. The method in which homes are built makes a major impact on the community and the world. While many builders are just learning sustainable building practices, Centex is acting as an excellent role model, representing the future of residential building, said Tom Halford, general manager of contract sales and marketing at Whirlpool Corporation. Centex Energy Advantage homes include a suite of energy-efficient features installed as standard nationwide, including Whirlpool and KitchenAid brand appliances in the kitchen and laundry room. According to a study commissioned with the NAHB Research Center, these homes are up to 22 percent more efficient than comparable new homes built to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, the most widely used energy efficiency code. When compared to a typical 10-year-old home, as defined by the U.S. Department of Energys Building America Program, the Centex Energy Advantage homes in the study were shown to be up to 40 percent more energy-efficient.* With more ENERGY STAR qualified appliances than any other appliance manufacturer from its portfolio of brands, Whirlpool Corporation provides numerous appliance packages that save water and energy and safeguard indoor air quality. About Centex Dallas-based Centex Corporation, founded in 1950, is one of the nations leading home building companies. Its homes are marketed and sold under the trade names Centex Homes, Fox & Jacobs Homes and CityHomes. Centex also offers mortgage and title services. Centex has ranked among the top three builders on FORTUNE magazines list of Americas Most Admired Companies for 10 straight years and is a leader in quality and customer satisfaction. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The companys The Inside Advantage(TM)Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Consumer Insight to support building professionals. Whirlpool Corporation is the worlds leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, 70,000 employees and 68 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977.
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Whirlpool Corporation Design+Development Group (D+DG) Architects Earn LEED(R) AP Certification

July 15, 2009

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (July 15, 2009) – Whirlpool Corporation today announced that two of its Design+Development Group (D+DG) on-staff architects, Andrea Hutchins, AIA, AKBD; and Daniel Page-Wood, Assoc. AIA, AKBD, recently earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED(R) AP) certification. The LEED AP certification will allow Whirlpool Corporation to further support trade customers beyond appliance selection and make the sustainable design process easier for the building and design community. Now managed by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), LEED Professional Accreditation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the LEED certification process. LEED APs demonstrate a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Rating System. Specifically, the LEED AP certification provides a standard for professionals participating in design and construction of high-performance green buildings that use less energy, water and natural resources; create less waste; and are more healthful and comfortable for the occupants. According to the GBCI, a LEED credential provides employers, policymakers and other stakeholders with assurances of an individual's current level of competence and is the mark of the most qualified, educated and influential green building professionals in the marketplace. "These achievements are in support of Whirlpool Corporation's leadership in sustainability, which strives to mirror the green movement in design and architecture," said Terri Connett, senior manager of the Whirlpool Corporation D+DG. "Dan and Andrea's leadership in sustainable building practices adds value to our department, our corporation and ultimately to the design community as a whole." As part of The Inside Advantage(TM), Whirlpool Corporation's dedicated program for building and design professionals, the D+DG was formed to provide a continuing education resource for architects and designers in the homebuilding industry. Hutchins and Page-Wood joined Whirlpool Corporation after nearly a decade of practicing architecture with residential and commercial firms. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building and design professionals create homes of distinction. The company's The Inside Advantage(TM) Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Consumer Insight to support building and design professionals. Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, 70,000 employees and 68 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for architects and design professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com/designers or call 1-800-253-3977.
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Cure and Harden Gunite and Shotcrete Pools with DECK-O-TREAT

July 08, 2009

Hampshire, IL – DECK-O-TREAT is a gunite/shotcrete curing aid specially formulated to provide the contractor with a good, general purpose curing aid for construction applications where economy is of prime importance. It contains no wax, resin, or solvent. DECK-O-TREAT features a low VOC content to comply with nationwide VOC regulations. DECK-O-TREAT is ready to use and aids in curing gunite and shotcrete. Surfaces treated with DECK-O-TREAT can later be covered by additional finishes, such as paint, tile adhesive or plaster. DECK-O-TREAT can be used on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. DECK-O-TREAT is a penetrating material that aids curing and hardens in a single application. For added convenience, the product is ready to use straight out of the container – no mixing or additional preparation is required. The material is also tinted to easily identify coverage. After application, the surface can then be altered with additional treatments, such as paint, tile adhesive, or plaster. DECK-O-TREAT can be spray-applied to horizontal or vertical surfaces. The product is VOC compliant. Its actual VOC content is 0 g/L, so the product is environmentally safe and a suitable green building material. For more information, contact DECK-O-SEAL, a division of W. R. MEADOWS, INC. at P.O. Box 397, Hampshire, Illinois 60140; phone: (800) 542-POOL; fax: (847) 214-2268; e-mail: sales@deckoseal.com or visit www.deckoseal.com.
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Independent Lab Reports Prove PERMINATOR® Is Best Plastic Vapor Barrier on the Market

July 06, 2009

Hampshire, IL – Recently, PERMINATOR underslab vapor barrier from W. R. MEADOWS was submitted for independent lab testing. The independent lab testing confirmed that PERMINATOR has the industry’s best water vapor permeance rating, bar none. These test results prove that PERMINATOR far exceeds the requirements of the ASTM E 1745 specification, and exceeds the technical characteristics of other competing products on the market. Bottom line, PERMINATOR is unequalled in the marketplace for water vapor permeance. PERMINATOR underslab vapor barrier is a new generation of polyolefin-based resin/chemical technology. PERMINATOR provides the vapor barrier industry with a highly effective choice for helping to reduce the penetration of moisture and water vapor through the slab into the structure, thereby helping to reduce fungus, mildew and mold growth. PERMINATOR also helps reduce radon gas from entering the structure. PERMINATOR is tough enough to withstand normal construction jobsite conditions and traffic. It will not crack, puncture, snag, split, or tear easily. PERMINATOR is primarily designed for underslab construction, where the soil has been tamped and leveled or compacted fill has been applied. The 200’ (61m) long sheets are unrolled as is or cut to size and installed using the overlapping method. For more information on PERMINATOR, call (847) 214-2100, e-mail wrmil@wrmeadows.com, or visit www.wrmeadows.com.
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Tiledek Membrane - The Ideal Solution to Waterproofing and Crack Isolation Under Exterior Tile Applications.

July 06, 2009

SURREY, BC (June 30, 2009) - Duradek Ultra TILEDEK is already quickly proving itself as one of the leading products for waterproof roofing and crack isolation membranes under exterior tile or slate. Duradek Ultra TILEDEK is a outdoor anti-fracture roofing membrane designed for use under exterior tile decks and roofs. Virtually identical to Duradek Ultra, TILEDEK is an approved roofing membrane with a fabric laminated to its topside. The tiles can then bonded securely to the fabric-covered membrane with thinset mortar. Exterior tile has often been the source of contractor headaches resulting from improper waterproofing and cracking tiles. Since tile and grout alone are not waterproof, tile contractors rely on other products to waterproof the structure. Oftentimes the chosen product may not have actual roofing approvals; it may be too soft, allowing deflection which can crack the tiles or the warranty may be void if another product is placed overtop. TILEDEK is the answer to these issues, and more… What makes Duradek Ultra TILEDEK different from the alternatives… - TILEDEK is an approved roofing membrane, so the structure below does not incur expensive water damage. - TILEDEK has a fabric laminated to its topside which securely bonds the tile, using a thinset mortar. - TILEDEK also acts as a crack isolation membrane, which allows some movement in the structure without cracking the tiles. - TILEDEK is part of 3 approved assemblies which were all rated for residential or heavy duty use, based on the ASTM 627 Robinson Floor Test - TILEDEK is made of a very dense PVC , so there is no chance that deflection in the membrane will crack the tiles. - TILEDEK is installed by trained applicators, so you have the peace of mind knowing the installation is professionally done. - TILEDEK has a manufacturers 10 year warranty on waterproofing, even when tile or slate is installed on it’s surface. Duradek Ultra TILEDEK is produced by Duradek, the original waterproofing sheet vinyl that has been solving unique waterproofing problems throughout North America for over 35 years. With the same roofing approvals, the same proven installation techniques, and the same network of professional and trained applicators, Duradek Ultra TILEDEK is revolutionizing the decking and flat roof industry. Please go to http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.duradek.com/Tiledek.asp for more details.
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Whirlpool Corporation Design+Development Group Expands Rich Education for Architects

July 06, 2009

AIA “CES Award for Excellence” Winner Adds Downdraft Ventilation CEU Course to its Advanced Repertoire BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (June 29, 2009) – The Whirlpool Corporation Design+Development Group (D+DG) is now offering an additional continuing education unit (CEU) course as part of its curriculum for industry architects. As the first appliance manufacturer to be honored with the AIA Continuing Education System (CES) Award for Excellence, the D+DG continually provides architects and designers with innovative and collaborative education. The course, Downdraft Ventilation, is available for CEU credit at AECdaily.com’s Online Learning Center. This latest course provides an overview of downdraft ventilation systems, including discussions on venting, ducting, filters, installation, indoor environmental quality and design. Whirlpool Corporation offers seven additional CEU courses, including: Sustainable Design Practices for Kitchens, Systems for Homes and Lumber for Wood Framed Construction (podcast); Two Faces of Sustainability Passive and Active Systems in Residential Design and Use of Fly Ash in Concrete (podcast); White Goods: The Design Landscape and Sustainability (podcast); 3-D Designing with Google(R) SketchUp(TM) (podcast); Built-in Kitchen Trends: The Design Landscape; Principles of Universal Design in Housing and Home Appliances; and Appliances & The Green Home. To register for one of these courses, visit aecdaily.com/whirlpool. As part of Whirlpool Corporation’s dedicated program for building and design professionals, The Inside Advantage(TM), the D+DG was formed to provide a continuing education resource for architects and designers in the homebuilding industry. The department features staff architects Andrea Hutchins, AIA, AKBD and Daniel Page-Wood, Assoc. AIA, AKBD, who each joined Whirlpool Corporation after nearly a decade of practicing architecture with residential and commercial firms. “With help from our staff architects, we ensure that our courses contain topical and beneficial content. By staying closely involved with the design industry, we provide meaningful assistance to architects and designers,” said Terri Connett, senior manager of the Whirlpool Corporation D+DG. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building and design professionals create homes of distinction. The company’s The Inside Advantage(TM) Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Consumer Insight to support building and design professionals. Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, 70,000 employees and 68 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for architects and design professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com/designers or call 1-800-253-3977.
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