BAYPORT, Minn. (September 21, 2011) — Andersen® windows and doors with Stormwatch® protection and SmartSun™ (PDF) glass have been chosen for Pensmore; a residential chateau showcasing the latest in energy efficient and sustainable building technologies under construction in the Ozark Mountains between Springfield and Branson, Mo.

Pensmore is designed to practically apply new construction technologies aimed at energy efficiency at a time when traditional energy sources are becoming more expensive and viewed as costly in their environmental impact. The building showcases a variety of cost-effective, durable, green building techniques and materials, including Andersen windows and doors.

Not far from Joplin, Mo., which was devastated by severe storms earlier this year, the residence will feature primarily Andersen 400 Series clad wood windows and doors with Stormwatch protection and SmartSun™glass. Products with Stormwatch protection are designed and tested for coastal applications, but were chosen for Pensmore based on the added weather and impact resistance protection it can provide 24/7. Unlike shutters and removable storm panels, Andersen products with Stormwatch protection provide peace of mind that homes are protected even when no one is there. SmartSun glass can be instrumental in reducing energy consumption and blocks 95 percent of UV light that can fade interiors.

Some planned features of the completed Pensmore chateau include:

Very low, near net-zero energy consumption

Extreme resistance to tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, fire, flood, insect damage, etc.

Low maintenance requirements

Durability measured in centuries, not years

Scalability across a multitude of applications from small residential structures to commercial buildings

Pensmore is a loose contraction of the French root for "think" and the English word “more”; it means a more thoughtful way to build. A model for best green building practices, Pensmore's mission is to propagate a new approach to construction and invites architects, engineers, builders, community leaders and others to explore the project site while under construction. Upon completion, Pensmore will serve as a living laboratory for sustainable technologies.

The idea for a living laboratory came to owner, Mr. Steven Huff, upon retirement while building an addition to his home. Wanting to build with the most energy efficient products on the market, Huff chose Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) to create a space resistant to tornado damage while reducing energy costs.

After his experience building two structures with ICF, Huff collaborated with TF Forming Systems' founder Jerry Spude to create a new super-insulating concrete forming system known as TransForm. To prove TransForm as the product to transcend all other forming systems, Mr. Huff put his new system to the test on Pensmore; a residence for the Huff family comparable in size to many commercial buildings. Pensmore's size enables it to prove TransForm's cost-effective scalability to many building applications, creating near net-zero structures with low life-cycle costs while withstanding disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes. Read more information about Pensmore.

Andersen Corporation is the largest window and door manufacturer in North America, and the Andersen® brand is the most recognized and most used brand among builders and remodelers in the window and patio door industry. The privately owned company was founded in 1903 and has a strong history of commitment to its business partners, employees, community and environmental stewardship. Andersen holds FSC chain-of-custody certification (SCS-COC-01337) from the Forest Stewardship Council and was awarded the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for the Product Manufacturer—Windows category for its family of brands. The company employs over 10,000 people and markets products throughout North America and in South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.