Beloved Lighthouse Undergoes Extreme Makeover
Oregon company comes to the aid of a treasured 111 year-old building

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. December 15, 2005 — Lighthouses face some of the most extreme conditions on earth on a daily basis, especially along the Oregon coast. 

Driving rain, salt water, fierce floods and gale-force winds can quickly take their toll on these historic buildings that perform their duty reliably and are beloved by tourists and local residents alike. Lighthouses nationwide are under a major threat of disrepair due to the lack of funding to maintain them, according to the national Lighthouse Preservation Society.

Now, one treasured lighthouse is getting the care and much-needed attention it deserves. JELD-WEN, the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, is launching the Reliable Lighthouse Restoration project. As a first effort of its kind, JELD-WEN replaced the windows and the entry door at Oregon’s historic Umpqua River Lighthouse, owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and operated by the Douglas County Parks Department.

Performance counts
Restoration efforts at the Umpqua River Lighthouse included replacing the front door and the windows – many of which were broken, leaking and threatening to cause greater damage to the building – using the latest wood window and fiberglass door technology. Experts say these projects are essential to preserving and protecting the future well-being of the historic lighthouse.

“Reliable windows and doors are essential for any building that experiences extreme conditions because they help protect the entire building envelope,” said Wally Corwin, JELD-WEN windows and doors expert. “If windows and doors aren’t performing, it can cause major problems down the road that are much more costly and labor-intensive to repair.”

JELD-WEN installed 11 architecturally correct, energy efficient, double-hung wood windows to replace the current aluminum windows, which Lighthouse officials speculate were installed in the early 1980s and were causing drafts and heat loss. The new JELD-WEN genuine pine windows are made with AuraLastTM wood, a revolutionary wood treatment process developed by the company. AuraLast wood is guaranteed to protect against moisture and insect damage for 20 years.

The front door of the lighthouse, which is warped from exposure to the elements, was replaced with the latest in fiberglass technology. The JELD-WEN Custom Fiberglass door is visually indistinguishable from wood, yet requires very little maintenance and most importantly, won’t expand, swell or absorb moisture – an essential prerequisite for an area that receives nearly 70 inches of rain each year. JELD-WEN  Custom Fiberglass doors received a Consumers Digest Best Buy rating in 2005.

Ageless beauty
Replacing existing windows and doors that will perform reliably for years is top priority for the JELD-WEN lighthouse restoration effort, but bringing back the original character and beauty of these striking buildings is equally important. Due to budget constraints, many lighthouses have been renovated and repaired using inexpensive, flimsy materials that don’t hold up in severe conditions and detract from the unique architecture and style of these buildings.

Windows and doors make a major impact on the architectural integrity of lighthouses and the Umpqua River Lighthouse is a perfect example. The building was designed with beautiful radius top, paned wood windows. When the inexpensive aluminum replacement windows were installed, the rounded tops of the original window designs were filled in as a “quick fix.” When JELD-WEN replaced these windows, the original shape and style was restored to their intended design, allowing the lighthouse’s former beauty to shine.  The new wood-grain, fiberglass door also will help restore the original appearance of the front entrance.

“It’s a shame, but most lighthouses aren’t restored to their original glory because there are simply no funds or resources to do it,” said Dan Van Slyke, Douglas County Commissioner. “Yet these buildings play such an important role not only when it comes to marine safety, but also for coastal tourism and our economy.  That’s why this project has such a big impact that goes well beyond helping protect the historic integrity of the building.” 

Part of history
The initial Umpqua River Lighthouse was the first lighthouse in the Oregon territory, built in 1857 near the mouth of the Umpqua River. The lighthouse, built on a sandy flood plain, toppled in 1864 due to severe storm and flood conditions. In 1894, the second and current Umpqua River Lighthouse was built on its new site.  The lighthouse is especially notable for its unique lantern design, one of only two in the world. 

Today, the Umpqua River Lighthouse remains one of Oregon’s eight public working lighthouses, dutifully performing its task to help safely guide ships. Daily tours attract more than 10,000 visitors to explore the lighthouse each year. Nearly 400,000 people visit the state park where the lighthouse is located.

“This lighthouse means a lot to people in Reedsport, OR,” said Gaylyn Bradley, Umpqua River Lighthouse Keeper/Coordinator. “After 111 years of performing a great service, it’s wonderful to see that it is now getting some loving care in return.”

Shining the light on the issue
JELD-WEN is the first manufacturer from the building industry to address the issue of lighthouse restoration.  While JELD-WEN will focus on the Umpqua River Lighthouse as a test project, the company may consider other lighthouse restoration projects .

For JELD-WEN, lighthouses are a way for the company to - prove just how reliable its products are in real life, its brand promise.   

JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with nearly 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. 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. Eight JELD-WEN product lines have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. JELD-WEN windows and doors have been honored by numerous consumer and industry publications. In 2005, JELD-WEN® 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. PRWD.