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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                    AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), made and entered into this 18th day
of December, 1999, by and between Associated Materials Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation ("AMI"), and MICHAEL CAPORALE ("CAPORALE").

                              W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS, AMI desires to employ CAPORALE and CAPORALE is willing to
enter into this Agreement upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
obligations contained herein, AMI hereby employs CAPORALE and CAPORALE hereby
accepts such employment upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth:

1. Employment.

         (a) Title: Reporting Obligations. AMI agrees to employ CAPORALE and
CAPORALE agrees to work for AMI as President of Alside Window Company, a
division of Alside ("Alside"), which is a division of AMI, and in other
capacities as described below. CAPORALE'S duties and responsibilities shall be
those traditionally associated with the president of a corporation. CAPORALE
shall report to Donald L. Kaufman for so long as Donald L. Kaufman is the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Alside. CAPORALE shall become President
and Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of Alside not later than April 1, 2000. At
such time as Donald L. Kaufman ceases to be Chief Executive Officer of Alside,
CAPORALE shall become President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Alside.
CAPORALE shall not be required to report to anyone other than Donald L. Kaufman,
William W. Winspear or the Board of Directors of AMI.

         (b) Option to Become CEO. CAPORALE may elect to become President and
Chief Executive Officer of Alside at any time after June 30, 2000 and before
February 1, 2001. If AMI fails to make CAPORALE President and COO of Alside by
April 1, 2000 or President and CEO of Alside by February 1, 2001, then CAPORALE
may terminate this Agreement and shall be entitled to receive the following:

                  i.       Balance of any payments remaining under Section 2(c)
                           hereof in a lump sum.

                  ii.      Full and immediate vesting of all stock options
                           granted pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof, such options
                           to remain exercisable for ten (10) years from the
                           grant date;



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                  iii.     Two (2) years severance pay paid monthly at Three
                           Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) per year
                           plus two (2) years bonus at One Hundred Fifty
                           Thousand Dollars ($150,000) per year.

                  iv.      Two (2) years benefit coverage on a monthly basis for
                           medical, dental, group life insurance, 401(k) and
                           country club membership, or a payment of an amount
                           equal to the cost of providing such benefits.

2. Compensation.

         (a) Base Salary. CAPORALE shall be paid an annualized base salary of
Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) per annum (or fraction for
portions of a year). CAPORALE's salary shall be subject to all appropriate
federal and state withholding taxes and shall be payable in accordance with the
normal payroll procedures of AMI.

          (b) Bonus Payments. For the calendar year 2000, CAPORALE shall be paid
a bonus of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). If CAPORALE commences
employment after February 1, 2000, such bonus shall be prorated from the date of
hire to the end of the year. For years after 2000, CAPORALE shall be paid a
bonus based upon a formula to be determined at such time as CAPORALE becomes COO
or CEO. Bonus amounts will be paid at such times as other executives' bonuses
are paid.

         (c) Lost Stock Options. In lieu of the lost stock options opportunity
at CAPORALE's previous employer, CAPORALE shall be paid Thirty-Three Thousand
Three Hundred Thirty-Four Dollars ($33,334) after the completion of each twelve
(12) months of service commencing on the date of hire for three years for a
total payment of One Hundred Thousand Two Dollars ($100,002).

         (d) Stock Options. AMI shall grant to CAPORALE, at the next meeting of
the Board of Directors of AMI, options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock
of AMI. The exercise price of each option shall be the closing price of one
share of common stock of AMI on the NASDAQ on the date of grant and the date of
hire. 25,000 of the shares shall vest upon the grant, and the remaining 25,000
shares shall vest two years after the original grant, provided CAPORALE is still
employed by AMI at that time. Upon CAPORALE's becoming President and CEO of
Alside, as provided above, AMI shall grant to CAPORALE, at the next meeting of
the Board of Directors of AMI, options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock
of AMI. The exercise price of each option shall equal the closing price of one
share of common stock of AMI on the NASDAQ on the date of grant. 25,000 of the
shares shall vest upon the grant, and the remaining 25,000 shares shall vest two
years after the original grant, provided CAPORALE is still employed by AMI at
that time.

3. Benefits.

         (a) Moving Expenses. AMI shall pay the costs of all expenses incurred
in connection with CAPORALE's moving to the Akron/Cleveland, Ohio area. Such
expenses shall include without limitation temporary living costs, house
searching trips for the family, moving costs,



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legal fees, two points in connection with the purchase of a home, closing costs
and real estate commissions in connection with the sale of CAPORALE's existing
home. AMI shall be responsible for the sale of CAPORALE's existing home at an
appraised value if not sold by CAPORALE by a date mutually agreed upon by
CAPORALE and AMI, but no later than September 1, 2000. Appraised value shall be
based upon the average of the two closest appraisals of three appraisals.

         (b) Insurance Premiums. AMI will reimburse CAPORALE for all COBRA
premiums charged by his previous employer until insurance benefits provided
under this Agreement become effective.

         (c) Benefit Plans. CAPORALE shall participate in all benefit programs
and plans provided to other Alside executives in accordance with the terms and
conditions of those programs and plans. Such benefits currently include medical,
dental, long-term disability and group life insurance, an employee spending
account, employee stock purchase plan, and the Alside 401(k) Plan. CAPORALE's
group life insurance benefit shall be Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($750,000).

         (d) Car Allowance. CAPORALE shall be paid a car allowance as provided
to other executives of Alside. Currently the car allowance is One Thousand
Dollars ($1,000) per month. Such allowance shall be paid by AMI to CAPORALE on
the last business day of each month or on such other day during the month as the
parties shall mutually agree.

         (e) Club Memberships. AMI shall reimburse CAPORALE for initiation fees,
monthly dues and business related expenses in connection with his country club
membership throughout the terms of this Agreement.

         (f) Officer's Indemnification and Exculpations. AMI agrees that
CAPORALE shall be entitled to indemnification as an officer of Alside to the
fullest extent permitted by law. This Section 6(f) shall survive termination of
this agreement.

7. Vacations. CAPORALE shall be permitted to take vacation time in each calendar
year as determined by the Board of Directors of AMI. CAPORALE shall be entitled
to four weeks paid vacation during each calendar year. Should CAPORALE die or
leave AMI, he shall be paid any unused vacation allocated to that calendar year.
In addition, CAPORALE shall be entitled to such holidays as may be established
by Alside for employees generally and a reasonable number of personal and sick
days not inconsistent with the performance of his duties hereunder.

8. Term of Employment. This Agreement shall be effective when executed by both
CAPORALE and AMI (the "Effective Date") and, except as otherwise provided, shall
remain in effect for a period of three years from the date CAPORALE commences
employment.

9. Termination. The employment relationship between AMI and CAPORALE created
hereunder shall terminate before the expiration of the stated term upon the
occurrence of any one of the following events:



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         (a) Mutual Agreement. Mutual written agreement between CAPORALE and
AMI. Any severance hereunder shall be payable as mutually agreed.

         (b) Death. Upon Caporale's death, AMI shall have no further obligations
hereunder other than for amounts accrued and unpaid prior to the date of death
(other than as set forth herein).

         (c) Termination by AMI for Cause. AMI may terminate this Agreement for
cause. As used herein, "cause" for termination by AMI shall mean gross
misconduct or dereliction of duties hereunder by CAPORALE. If CAPORALE's
employment is terminated for cause by AMI pursuant to this Section 9(c), AMI
shall have no further obligations hereunder other than for amounts accrued and
unpaid prior to the date of termination (other than as set forth herein).

         (d) Termination by AMI Without Cause. AMI may terminate this Agreement
at any time.

         (e) Termination by CAPORALE. After the initial three-year term,
CAPORALE may terminate this Agreement without liability to AMI arising from the
resignation. If CAPORALE terminates this Agreement during the initial year of
this Agreement, CAPORALE shall return to AMI any payments to him provided for in
Section 2(c) hereof, and AMI shall have no further obligations hereunder other
than for amounts accrued and unpaid prior to the date of termination (other than
as set forth herein).

         (f) Termination by CAPORALE for Good Reason. CAPORALE may terminate
this Agreement and become entitled to the rights and amounts provided for in
Section 9(h) hereof, if CAPORALE has Good Reason to terminate his employment
with AMI. As used herein, "Good Reason" to terminate employment with AMI occurs
if (1) duties are assigned to CAPORALE that are materially inconsistent with his
previous duties or with his position as President, COO or CEO; (2) duties and
responsibilities previously performed by CAPORALE are substantially reduced or
assigned to others without his consent; or (3) AMI breaches any of its material
obligations hereunder, including without limitation payment obligations and
obligations to provide benefits, failure to grant the stock options provided for
in Paragraph 2(d) and fails to cure the same within thirty (30) days of written
notice.

         (g) Termination Upon Change of Control. CAPORALE may resign and
terminate this Agreement and become entitled to the rights and amounts provided
for in Section 9(h) hereof within 120 days of a Change of Control with respect
to AMI or Alside. A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to occur if (1) William
W. Winspear ceases, either directly or indirectly, to be the largest shareholder
of AMI or is no longer the chairman of the Board of Directors of AMI; (2) AMI or
Alside becomes a subsidiary of another corporation or entity or is merged with
or consolidated into another corporation or entity in which William W. Winspear
is not, either directly or indirectly, the largest shareholder; or (3) AMI or
Alside sells, transfers, assigns or otherwise conveys all or substantially all
of its assets to a third party in which William W. Winspear is not, either
directly or indirectly, the largest shareholder.



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         (h) Severance Payments. In the event CAPORALE's employment has been
terminated by AMI without cause or by CAPORALE for Good Reason, or if CAPORALE
has resigned within 120 days following a Change of Control, CAPORALE shall
receive the following:

                  i.       Two year's annual salary and bonus paid monthly based
                           on the last twelve months earnings, at a minimum of
                           $500,000 per year.

                  ii.      Any remaining unpaid balance of the One Hundred
                           Thousand Two Dollars ($100,002) representing the lost
                           stock option payments referenced in Section 2(c) in a
                           lump sum.

                  iii.     Full and immediate vesting of the stock options
                           granted pursuant to Section 2(d), which options shall
                           remain exercisable for ten (10) years from the grant
                           date, and

                  iv.      Two (2) years benefit coverage paid monthly for
                           medical, dental, group life insurance, 401(k) and
                           country club membership, or a payment of an amount
                           equal to the cost of providing such benefits.

10. Trade Secrets. CAPORALE recognizes and acknowledges that during his term of
employment hereunder, he will come into possession of trade secrets, customer
lists, and other confidential information in connection with the business of AMI
and Alside. CAPORALE agrees that he will not at any time disclose to any other
third party any trade secrets, business policies or other confidential
information pertaining to AMI's or Alside's business.

11. Miscellaneous.

         (a) Successors Bound. This Agreement shall be binding upon AMI and
CAPORALE and their respective heirs, executors, administrators or successors in
interest.

         (b) Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted
to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given if delivered personally, mailed by certified mail (return receipt
requested) or sent by overnight delivery service, cable, telegram, facsimile
transmission or telex (with electronic confirmation of successful transmission)
to the parties at the following addresses or at such other addresses as shall be
specified by the parties by like notice:



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     If to AMI:          Associated Materials Incorporated
                         2200 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201

                         Attention: William W. Winspear, President

     If to Employee:

     (c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of
Ohio.

     Dated as of this 18th day of December, 1999.


MICHAEL CAPORALE                       ASSOCIATED MATERIALS INCORPORATED

By: /s/ MICHAEL CAPORALE               By: /s/ WILLIAM W. WINSPEAR
   -------------------------------        --------------------------------------
   Michael Caporale                       William W. Winspear
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer



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