NORTEK SELLS ASSETS OF STUDLEY PRODUCTS, INC.

PROVIDENCE, RI, May 8, 1998-Nortek, Inc.(NYSE:NTK) announced today that its Ply Gem subsidiary has sold the assets of Studley Products, Inc. ("Studley"), to an affiliate of Wildwood Industries, Inc. of Bloomington, Illinois.

Studley, a manufacturer of vacuum cleaner bags, has facilities in Inwood, New York, and Toronto, Canada, and had sales of approximately $22.0 million for 1997.

Studley is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ply Gem Industries, Inc., which was acquired by Nortek in August, 1997, and has been treated as a discontinued operation since the acquisition.

Richard L. Bready, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated that "the sale of Studley's assets is part of our rationalization of the Ply Gem operations and is in keeping with our strategy of disposing of businesses that do not meet Nortek's long-term performance expectations."

Terms of sale were not disclosed.

Nortek is a leading international manufacturer and distributor of high-quality, competitively priced building, remodeling and indoor environmental control products for the residential, commercial and industrial markets. The Company offers a broad array of products for improving the environments where people live and work. Its products include range hoods and spot ventilation products, heating and air conditioning systems, wood and vinyl siding products, air quality systems, and specialty electronic, wood and decorating products.

This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future financial results. Actual financial performance may differ as a result of factors over which the Company has no control. Additional information which could affect the company's financial results is included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, copies of which are available from Nortek at no charge.

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