NORTEK RECEIVES KELSO PROPOSAL

PROVIDENCE, RI, April 13, 2002 - Nortek, Inc. (NYSE:NTK), a leading international designer, manufacturer and marketer of building products, today announced that, as anticipated last week, it has received a formal proposal from Kelso & Company, L.P., a private equity firm based in New York City, to acquire the Company in partnership with certain members of the Company's current management.

Under this proposal all stockholders of the Company, with the exception of certain members of management, would receive $40.00 in cash for each of their shares in a merger transaction. The Company's management team would retain a substantial portion of their existing equity ownership interest in the post-transaction Company.

As previously announced, Nortek has formed a Special Committee of its Board of Directors which will review and consider the Kelso proposal on behalf of the Company. The Special Committee has retained Cleary, Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, as its legal advisor, and will also retain an independent financial advisor to assist it in its consideration of the proposal.

The Special Committee has made no determination as to whether the Company will or should be sold, whether on the terms of the Kelso proposal or otherwise, and there can be no assurance that Nortek will accept any acquisition proposal or that any such proposal, if accepted, will result in the consummation of a transaction.

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

*As used herein, the term "Nortek" refers to Nortek, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. This term is used for convenience only and is not intended as a precise description of any of the separate corporations, each of which manages its own affairs.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the Company's current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors impacting such forward-looking statements include the availability and cost of raw materials and purchased components, the level of construction and remodeling activity, changes in general economic conditions, the rate of sales growth, and product liability claims. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information, please refer to the Company's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.