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                                 EXHIBIT 10.12

          EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND HORACE T. HICKS
                      DATED JANUARY 1, 1998 JANUARY 1, 1998


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into, with
an effective date of January 1, 1998, by and between Atrium Companies, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns permitted
hereunder, the "Company"), and Horace Hicks (the "Employee").

                                    RECITALS

     A.    The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to employ
the Employee on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

                                   AGREEMENTS

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements and
covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be
legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.   EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.  Subject to Section 3, the Company hereby agrees to
employ the Employee, and the Employee hereby agrees to be employed by the
Company in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for a
period (the "Employment Period") commencing on the date herein and ending on
the third anniversary of such date.  Neither party is under any obligation to
extend or renew this Agreement.  Any new employment agreement shall only be
effective after having been reduced to writing and executed by both parties
hereto.  In the event Employee continues to perform services after the
Employment Period, and pending execution of a new employment agreement, if any,
such services shall constitute employment for an unspecified term, terminable
at will, with or without cause or reason, with or without advance notice, and
with or without pay in lieu of advance notice.

2.   TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.

     a.    Position and Duties.

           i.    During the term of the Employee's employment, the Employee
shall  serve as General Manager of HR Windows, and, in so doing, shall perform
the normal duties and responsibilities associated with such position, subject
to the general direction, approval and control of the Executive Vice President
of Operations for the Company.
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           ii.   During the term of the Employee's employment, and excluding
any periods of vacation and other leave to which the Employee is entitled, the
Employee agrees to devote his full business time to the business and affairs of
the Company and to use the Employee's best efforts to perform faithfully,
effectively and efficiently his duties and responsibilities.

           iii.  During the term of the Employee's employment it shall not be a
violation of this Agreement for the Employee to  serve on corporate, civic or
charitable boards or committees,  deliver lectures or fulfill speaking
engagements and  manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not
interfere with the performance of the Employee's duties and responsibilities as
an employee of the Company.

           iii.  Employee agrees to observe and comply with the Company's rules
and policies as adopted by the Company from time to time.

     b.    Compensation.

           i.    Base Salary.  During the term of the Employee's employment,
the Employee shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the
Company, in an amount equal to $150,000.  The Board, in its discretion, may at
any time increase the amount of the Annual Base Salary to such greater amount
as it may deem appropriate, and the term "Annual Base Salary," as used in this
Agreement, shall refer to the Annual Base Salary as it may be so increased.  It
is understood that the Company may, at any time, in the discretion of the
Board, increase, but not decrease, the amount of the Annual Base Salary.

           ii.   Incentive Bonus.  Subject to the other terms and conditions of
this Agreement and as further compensation for the performance of his services
hereunder, during the term of his employment under this Agreement, the Employee
shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus (the "Incentive Bonus")
in accordance with the Bonus Structure, attached hereto as Exhibit A.

                    (A)   Targets.  Prior to the end of each calendar year, the
         Board's Compensation Committee shall approve the performance targets
         (the "Targets") upon which the Employee's Incentive Bonus for the
         following year will be based with respect to each of the criteria
         described in the Bonus Structure, except that the Targets for 1998
         have been approved by the Board's Compensation Committee as of the
         date hereof.  The Targets for 1998 are as described in Exhibit B,
         which is hereby incorporated as part of this Agreement.  The Targets
         for each of such criteria in each subsequent calendar year shall,
         after approval by the Board's Compensation Committee, be attached
         hereto as Exhibit B as a substitute for the previous years' Targets,
         and shall become a part of this Agreement for such calendar year.

                    (B)   Amount and Calculation.  Should the Employee achieve
         100% of the Targets, the Incentive Bonus shall be $120,000 (the "Base
         Incentive Bonus").  A lesser or greater Incentive Bonus will result
         should the Employee achieve
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         less or more than 100% of the Targets, but in any event, the maximum
         Incentive Bonus that the Employee shall be eligible to receive is
         $142,500, such amount to be determined in accordance with the terms of
         Exhibit A hereto.  The Employee understands and agrees that he is not
         guaranteed an Incentive Bonus and that the amount of Incentive Bonus,
         if any, is dependent on his achieving one or more of the Targets for
         the criteria set forth in the Bonus Structure.  In this regard, should
         the Employee fail to achieve any of such Targets, the Employee shall
         not be entitled to an Incentive Bonus for the applicable period.
         "EBITDA," as used in this Agreement and the Bonus Structure for any
         calendar year, shall mean the earnings before income tax, depreciation
         and amortization for such year, as determined in accordance with
         generally accepted accounting principles by the certified public
         accountants regularly engaged by the Company.  The determination of
         the Company's regularly engaged public accountants shall be final and
         conclusive on the parties hereto.

                    (C)   Time of Payment.  The Incentive Bonus shall be paid
         to the Employee on or before March 15th of the calendar year
         immediately following the year with respect to which the calculation
         of the Incentive Bonus is made.  Payment of the Incentive Bonus shall
         be accompanied by a copy of the calculation on which the Incentive
         Bonus is based.

           ii.   Incentive, Savings, Stock Option and Retirement Plans.  During
the term of the Employee's employment, the Employee shall be entitled to
participate in all incentive, savings, stock option and retirement plans,
practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other employees of the
Company ("Investment Plans"), as amended from time to time.

           iii.  Welfare Benefit Plans. During the term of the Employee's
employment, the Employee and/or the Employee's family, as the case may be, shall
be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under the
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs ("Welfare Plans")
provided by the Company (including medical, prescription, dental, disability,
salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel
accident insurance plans and programs), as amended from time to time, to the
extent applicable generally to other employees of the Company.

           iv.   Perquisites. During the term of the Employee's employment, the
Employee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the benefits described
above) such perquisites and fringe benefits appertaining to his position in
accordance with any policies, practices and procedures established by the Board,
as amended from time to time.

           v.    Expenses. During the term of the Employee's employment, the
Employee shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
employment expenses incurred by the Employee in accordance with the Company's
policies, practices and procedures, as amended from time to time.

           vi.   Automobile. The Company recognizes the Employee's need for an
automobile for business purposes. The Company shall provide the Employee with an
automobile, including all related maintenance, repairs, insurance and other
costs. At the Employee's request, a new automobile shall be purchased for the
Employee's use when the automobile that the Company is presently providing to
the Employee has either: (i) been in
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service for three years, or (ii) exceeded 75,000 miles.  The Company's cost for
a new automobile for the Employee shall not exceed Twenty-Five Thousand and
No/100 Dollars ($25,000.00) excluding sales tax.

           vi.   Vacation. During the term of the Employee's employment, the
Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation each calendar year.
Any vacation shall be taken at the reasonable and mutual convenience of the
Company and the Employee. Accrued vacation not taken in any calendar year will
not be carried forward or used in any subsequent calendar year and the Employee
shall not be entitled to receive pay in lieu of accrued but unused vacation in
any calendar year.

           vii.   Hunting Lease. The Company recognizes the Employee's need for
a hunting lease for business purposes. The Company shall contribute up to Five
Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($5,000) during each calendar year of the Employment
Period toward the cost of a hunting lease utilized by the Employee.

           viii.  Key-Man Insurance.  At any time during the Employment Period,
the Company shall have the right to insure the life of the Employee for the
Company's sole benefit, and to determine the amount of insurance and the type of
policy. The Employee shall cooperate with the Company in taking out such
insurance by submitting to physical examinations, by supplying all information
required by the insurance company, and by executing all necessary documents. The
Employee shall incur no financial obligation by executing any required document,
and shall have no interest in any such policy.

3.   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

     a.    Death or Disability. The Employee's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Employee's death during the Employment Period. If the
Disability (as defined below) of the Employee has occurred during the Employment
Period, the Company may give to the Employee written notice in accordance with
Section 12(b) of its intention to terminate the Employee's employment. In such
event, the Employee's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on
the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Employee (the "Disability
Effective Date"), if, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Employee shall
not have returned to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the
essential functions of his position. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean the Employee's inability to perform, with or without
reasonable accommodations, the essential functions of his position hereunder for
a period of 120 days, consecutive or non-consecutive, in any 12-month period due
to mental or physical incapacity, as determined by a physician selected by the
Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Employee or the Employee's legal
representative, such agreement as to acceptability not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. Any refusal by Employee to submit to a medical examination
for the purpose of determining Disability under this Section 3(a) shall be
deemed to constitute conclusive evidence of Employee's Disability.

     b.    Cause or Without Cause.  The Company may terminate the Employee's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause or without Cause.  For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean  a breach by the Employee of the
Employee's obligations under Section 2(a) (other than as a result of physical
or mental incapacity) which constitutes a continued material nonperformance by
the Employee of his obligations and duties thereunder, as
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determined by the Board, and which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt
of written notice from the Company specifying such breach;  commission by the
Employee of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct
or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company, as reasonably determined by a
majority of the members of the Board after a hearing by the Board following ten
days' notice to the Employee of such hearing;  a material breach by the
Employee of Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11;  the Employee's conviction, plea of no
contest or nolo contendere, or unadjudicated probation for any felony or crime
involving moral turpitude;  the failure of the Employee to carry out, or comply
with, in any material respect any lawful directive of the Board consistent with
the terms of this Agreement, which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt
of written notice from the Company specifying such failure; or (vi) the
Employee's unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of
illegal drugs on the Company's premises or while performing the Employee's
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.  The Company may suspend the
Employee's title and authority pending the hearing provided for in clause (ii)
above, and such suspension shall not constitute "Good Reason" as defined below.
For purposes of this Agreement, "without Cause" shall mean a termination by the
Company of the Employee's employment during the Employment Period for any
reason other than a termination based upon Cause, death, Disability or upon a
Change of Control, as defined below.

     c.    Good Reason.  The Employee's employment may be terminated during the
Employment Period by the Employee for Good Reason or without Good Reason;
provided, however, that the Employee agrees not to terminate his employment for
Good Reason unless (i) the Employee has given the Company at least 30 days'
prior written notice of his intent to terminate his employment for Good Reason,
which notice shall specify the facts and circumstances constituting Good
Reason, and (ii) the Company has not remedied such facts and circumstances
constituting Good Reason within such 30-day period.  For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:

          i.   any significant reduction, approved by the Board without the
Employee's consent, in the Employee's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated in Section 2(a) or any other action by the
Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an inadvertent action not
taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt
of written notice thereof given by the Employee.

          ii.  any termination or material reduction of a material benefit under
any Investment Plan or Welfare Plan in which the Employee participates unless
(A) there is substituted a comparable benefit that is economically substantially
equivalent to the terminated or reduced benefit prior to such termination or
reduction or (B) benefits under such Investment Plan or Welfare Plan are
terminated or reduced with respect to all employees previously granted benefits
thereunder;

          iii. any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 2(b), other than an inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith
and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice
thereof given by the Employee;

          iv.  without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any material
breach by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates (as defined
below) of (A) this Agreement or

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(B) any other agreement between the Employee and the Company or any such
subsidiary or other affiliate; or

          v.   the Company's requirement that the Employee's ongoing and regular
duties and responsibilities be performed in a location other than the
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area, except for travel reasonably required in the
performance of the Employee's duties and responsibilities.

         As used in this Agreement, "affiliate" means, with respect to a
person, any other person controlling, controlled by or under common control
with the first person; the term "control," and correlative terms, means the
power, whether by contract, equity ownership or otherwise, to direct the
policies or management of a person; and "person" means an individual,
partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust or unincorporated
organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

   a.     Change of Control.  If a Change of Control occurs during the
Employment Period and the Board determines in good faith that it is in the
Company's best interest to terminate the Employee's employment with the Company,
within 90 days of such Change of Control the Company may terminate the
Employee's employment by giving the Employee written notice in accordance with
Section 12(b) of its intention to terminate the Employee's employment. Any such
termination by the Company as contemplated in this Section 3(d) is referred to
herein as a termination "upon a Change of Control." For purposes of this
Agreement, "Change of Control" shall have the meaning given to such term in the
Atrium Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan, as such Plan may be amended from time
to time.

   b.     Notice of Termination.  Any termination by the Company for Cause or
without Cause or upon a Change of Control, or by the Employee for Good Reason
or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the
other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b).  For purposes of
this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice which
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon,  to
the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Employee's
employment under the provision so indicated and  if the Date of Termination (as
defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the
termination date (which date shall not be more than 15 days after the giving of
such notice).  The failure by the Employee or the Company to set forth in the
Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing
of Good Reason or Cause or a termination upon a  Change of Control shall not
waive any right of the Employee or the Company hereunder or preclude the
Employee or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing
the Employee's or the Company's rights hereunder.

   c.     Date of Termination.  "Date of Termination" means  if the Employee's
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or upon a Change of Control,
or by the Employee for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date of receipt
of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein pursuant to
Section 3(e), as the case may be,  if the Employee's employment is terminated
by the Company other than for Cause or upon a Change of Control, the date on
which the Company notifies the Employee of such termination and  if the
Employee's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the date
of death of the Employee or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
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4.  OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.

    a.     For Cause; Without Good Reason; Other Than for Death, Disability or
Upon a Change of Control. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall
terminate the Employee's employment for Cause or the Employee shall terminate
his employment without Good Reason, and the termination of the Employee's
employment in any case is not due to his death or Disability or upon a Change of
Control, the Employee shall forfeit all rights to the Incentive Bonus otherwise
due to him or to which he may be entitled, and the Company shall have no further
payment obligations to the Employee or his legal representatives, other than for
the payment of: (i) in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days after the Date of
Termination the sum of the Employee's Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, any compensation previously
deferred by the Employee (together with any accrued interest or earnings
thereon) and any accrued vacation pay (collectively, the "Accrued Obligations");
and (ii) any amount arising from the Employee's participation in, or benefits
under, any Investment Plans (the "Accrued Investments"), which amounts shall be
payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Investment Plans.

    b.    Death. If the Employee's employment is terminated by reason of the
Employee's death during the Employment Period, the Company shall have no
further payment obligations to the Employee or his legal representatives, other
than for payment of: in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days after the Date
of Termination the Accrued Obligations; the Accrued Investments, which shall be
payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment Plans; and
the Incentive Bonus prorated from the first day of the Company's then-current
fiscal year to the Date of Termination (the "Prorated Incentive Bonus"), to be
paid in accordance with Section 2(b)(ii)(C).

   c.     Disability. If the Employee's employment is terminated by reason of
the Employee's Disability during the Employment Period, the Company shall have
no further payment obligations to the Employee or his legal representatives,
other than for payment of: in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days after the
Date of Termination the Accrued Obligations; the Accrued Investments, which
shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment
Plans; and the Prorated Incentive Bonus, to be paid in accordance with Section
2(b)(ii)(C).

   d.     Without Cause or for Good Reason. If the Employee's employment is
terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason, the
Company shall have no further payment obligations to the Employee or his legal
representatives, other than for:  (i) payment of, in a lump sum in cash within
ten (10) days after the Date of Termination, the Accrued Obligations; (ii)
payment of the Accrued Investments, which shall be payable in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Investment Plans; (iii) payment of the Prorated
Incentive Bonus, to be paid in accordance with Section 2(b)(ii)(C) and (iv)
payment of one-twelfth of the sum of the Employee's Annual Base Salary on the
Date of Termination and the Annual Incentive Bonus for each month during a
period of twelve (12) months following the Date of Termination (the 'severance
Period"), in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company.
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   e.     Change of Control.  If the Employee's employment is terminated upon a
Change of Control as contemplated in Section 3(d), the Company shall have no
further payment obligations to the Employee or his legal representatives, other
than for (i) payment of, in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days after the
Date of Termination, the Accrued Obligations; (ii) payment of the Accrued
Investments, which shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions
of the Investment Plans; (iii) payment of the Prorated Incentive Bonus, to be
paid in accordance with Section 2(b)(ii)(C); and (iv) payment of one-twelfth of
the sum of the Employee's Annual Base Salary on the Date of Termination and the
Annual Incentive Bonus for each month during the Severance Period, in
accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company; provided,
however, that the payments contemplated in (iii) and (iv) above shall not be
made to the Employee if, following such Change of Control, Randall S. Fojtasek
continues to act in the capacity of President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company.

5.   RETENTION BONUS.  Following a "Change of Control," as contemplated in
Section 3(d), if the Employee is employed by the Company in his current position
or in a more senior position, or by a subsidiary or other affiliate of the
Company in a position with authority, duties and responsibilities substantially
similar to or greater than those of his current position, on the 12-month
anniversary of the Change of Control, the Company shall pay the Employee a
retention bonus in the amount of $100,000. Nothing in this Section 5 shall be
deemed to give the Employee the right to be retained in the employ of the
Company or to restrict the right of the Company to terminate the Employee at any
time and for any reason, without Cause or for Cause or upon a Change of Control.
Nothing in this Section 5 shall be deemed to give the Company the right to
require the Employee to remain in the employ of the Company or to restrict the
Employee's right to terminate his employment at any time and for any reason,
without Good Reason or for Good Reason.

6.   FULL SETTLEMENT, MITIGATION.  In no event shall the Employee be obligated
to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement
and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Employee obtains other
employment. Neither the Employee nor the Company shall be liable to the other
party for any damages in addition to the amounts payable under Section 4 arising
out of the termination of the Employee's employment prior to the end of the
Employment Period; provided, however, that the Company shall be entitled to seek
damages from the Employee for any breach of Sections 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 by the
Employee or for the Employee's criminal misconduct.
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7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

   a.     The Employee acknowledges that the Company and its affiliates have
trade, business and financial secrets and other confidential and proprietary
information (collectively, the "Confidential Information"). "Confidential
Information" includes sales materials, technical information, processes and
compilations of information, records, specifications and information concerning
customers or venders, manuals relating to suppliers' products, customer lists,
information regarding methods of doing business, and the identity of suppliers.
"Confidential Information" shall not include information that is generally known
to other persons or entities who can obtain economic value from its disclosure
or use and information required to be disclosed by the Employee pursuant to a
subpoena or court order, or pursuant to a requirement of a governmental agency
or law of the United States of America or a state thereof or any governmental or
political subdivision thereof; provided, however, that the Employee shall take
all reasonable steps to prohibit disclosure pursuant to subsection (ii) above.

   b.     During and following the Employee's employment by the Company, the
Employee shall hold in confidence and not directly or indirectly disclose or
use or copy or make lists of any Confidential Information or proprietary data
of the Company or its affiliates except to the extent authorized in writing by
the Board or required by any court or administrative agency, other than to an
employee of the Company or its affiliates or a person to whom disclosure is
reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance by the
Employee of his duties as an employee of the Company.

   c.     The Employee further agrees not to use any Confidential Information
for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or its
affiliates.

   d.     As used in this Section 7, "Company" shall include Atrium Companies,
Inc. and any of its subsidiaries.

8. SURRENDER OF MATERIALS UPON TERMINATION.  All records, files, documents and
materials, or copies thereof, relating to the Company's and its respective
affiliates' business which the Employee shall prepare, or use, or come into
contact with, shall be and remain the sole property of the Company or its
affiliates, as the case may be, and shall be returned promptly by the Employee
to the owner upon termination of the Employee's employment with the Company. As
used in this Section 8, "Company" shall include Atrium Companies, Inc. and any
of its subsidiaries.

9. SUCCESSORS.  The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this
Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the
Company, by merger or otherwise, subject, however, to the Employee's right to
terminate this Agreement for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(c), and may
assign or encumber this Agreement and its rights hereunder as security for
indebtedness of the Company and its affiliates.  The Company shall require that
any successor agree to assume in writing the obligations of the Company
pursuant to this Agreement and the failure to secure such assumption on or
prior to the closing of any merger or similar transaction shall constitute Good
Reason under Section 3(c); provided, however, that nothing set forth in this
Section 9 shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect in any way the right of
the Company or such successor to terminate the Employee's employment upon a
Change in Control as contemplated in Section 3(d).  The rights of the Employee
under this Agreement may not be
<PAGE>   10
assigned or encumbered by the Employee, voluntarily or involuntarily, during
his lifetime, and any such purported assignment shall be void.  However, all
rights of the Employee under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be enforceable by the Employee's personal or legal representatives, estates,
executors, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries.  All amounts payable to the
Employee hereunder shall be paid, in the event of the Employee's death, to the
Employee's estate, heirs and representatives.

10.  NON-COMPETITION.

   a.     The term of Non-Competition (herein so called) shall be for a term
beginning on the date hereof and continuing until (i) the first anniversary of
the Date of Termination if the Employee's employment is terminated by the
Company for Cause or due to Disability or by the Employee without Good Reason,
(ii) the Date of Termination if the Employee's employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause (and not due to Disability) or by the Employee for Good
Reason or (iii) the first anniversary of the last date of the Severance Period
if the Employee's employment is terminated upon a Change in Control.

   b.     During the term of Non-Competition, the Employee will not (other than
for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates pursuant to this Agreement)
directly or indirectly, individually or as an officer, director, employee,
shareholder, consultant, contractor, partner, joint venturer, agent, equity
owner or in any capacity whatsoever engage in the business of manufacturing,
marketing or distributing windows or doors or in any other business activity
that the Company is conducting on the Date of Termination or has notified the
Employee that it proposes to conduct in the United States (a "Competing
Business"), hire, attempt to hire, or contact or solicit with respect to hiring
any officer, employee or consultant of the Company or its affiliates, or divert
or take away any customers or suppliers of the Company or its affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company agrees that the Employee may own less
than five percent of the outstanding voting securities of any publicly traded
company that is a Competing Business so long as the Employee does not otherwise
participate in such competing business in any way prohibited by the preceding
clause.

   c.     The Employee acknowledges that the geographic boundaries, scope of
prohibited activities, and time duration of the preceding paragraphs are
reasonable in nature and are no broader than are necessary to maintain the
goodwill of the Company and its affiliates and the confidentiality of its
Confidential Information, and to protect the other legitimate business
interests of the Company and its affiliates.

   d.     If any court determines that any portion of this Section 10 is invalid
or unenforceable, the remainder of this Section 10 shall not thereby be affected
and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid provisions. If any
court construes any of the provisions of this Section 10, or any part thereof,
to be unreasonable because of the duration or scope of such provision, such
court shall have the power to reduce the duration or scope of such provision and
to enforce such provision as so reduced.

   e.     As used in this Section 10, "Company" shall include Atrium Companies,
Inc. and any of its subsidiaries.
<PAGE>   11
11.  INVENTIONS; ASSIGNMENT.  All rights to discoveries, inventions,
improvements and innovations (including all data and records pertaining thereto)
related to the Company's business, whether or not patentable, copyrightable,
registrable as a trademark, or reduced to writing, that the Employee may
discover, invent or originate during the Employment Period, and for a period of
twelve (12) months thereafter, either alone or with others and whether or not
during working hours or by the use of the facilities of the Company
("Inventions"), shall be the exclusive property of the Company. The Employee
shall promptly disclose all Inventions to the Company, shall execute at the
request of the Company any assignments or other documents the Company may deem
necessary to protect or perfect its rights therein, and shall assist the
Company, at the Company's expense, in obtaining, defending and enforcing the
Company's rights therein. The Employee hereby appoints the Company as his
attorney-in-fact to execute on his behalf any assignments or other documents
deemed necessary by the Company to protect or perfect its rights to any
Inventions. As used in this Section 11, "Company" shall include Atrium
Companies, Inc. and any of its subsidiaries.

2.   MISCELLANEOUS.

   a.     Construction.  This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by both
the parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its
fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed
against any party shall not apply. The headings in this Agreement are only for
convenience and are not intended to affect construction or interpretation. Any
references to paragraphs, subparagraphs, sections or subsections are to those
parts of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
Also, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, (a) the plural
includes the singular and the singular includes the plural; (b) "and" and "or"
are each used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (c) "any," "all," "each," or
"every" means "any and all", and "each and every"; (d) "includes" and
"including" are each "without limitation"; (e) "herein," "hereof," "hereunder"
and other similar compounds of the word "here" refer to the entire Agreement and
not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section or subsection; and (f)
all pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the
masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the entities
or persons referred to may require.

   b.     Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:

If to the Employee:                          Horace Hicks
                                             1068 Greenwood Lane
                                             Lewisville, Texas  75067
                                             (972) 436-6231
<PAGE>   12
If to the Company:                           Atrium Companies, Inc.
                                             1341 West Mockingbird Lane
                                             Suite 1200W
                                             Dallas, Texas 75247
                                             Attention:  Randall S. Fojtasek
                                             Fax: (214) 631-4231

                                             with a copy to:

                                             Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
                                             3700 Trammel Crow Center
                                             2001 Ross Avenue
                                             Dallas, Texas 75201
                                             Attention: Michael D. Wortley
                                             Fax: (214) 220 -7716

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith.  Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

   a.     Enforcement.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during
the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable; this
Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and the
remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by
its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid
or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as part of this
Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

   b.     Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any
amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local or foreign
withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time required to
withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any
questions as to the amount or requirement of such withholding shall arise.

   c.     No Waiver  No waiver by either party at any time of any breach by the
other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other party shall be deemed a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at any time.

   d.     Equitable Relief.  The Employee acknowledges that money damages would
be both incalculable and an insufficient remedy for a breach of Section 7, 8, 9,
10 or 11 by the Employee and that any such breach would cause the Company
irreparable harm. Accordingly, the Company, in addition to any other remedies at
law or in equity it may have, shall be entitled, without the requirement of
posting of bond or other security, to equitable relief, including injunctive
relief and specific performance, in connection with a breach of Section 7, 8, 9,
10 or 11 by the Employee.
<PAGE>   13
   e.     Complete Agreement.  The provisions of this Agreement constitute the
entire and complete understanding and agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous oral and written agreements, representations and understandings
between the Employee and the Company, or its affiliates and subsidiaries,
including the Employment Agreement made as of January 1, 1995, by and between
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.  and Horace Hicks, which are hereby terminated.  Other
than expressly set forth herein, the Employee and the Company acknowledge and
represent that there are no other promises, terms, conditions or
representations (oral or written) regarding any matter relevant hereto.  This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.  Notwithstanding any
other provision set forth in this Agreement, the Employee hereby acknowledges
and agrees that Atrium Corporation, the Company's sole stockholder, and each of
the Company's subsidiaries are intended third party beneficiaries of this
Section 12(g), and each of them shall be entitled to rely on the
acknowledgments and agreements of the Employee made in this Section 12(g) to
the same extent as if they were parties to this Agreement.

   f.     Arbitration.  The Company and the Employee agree to the resolution by
binding arbitration of all claims, demands, causes of action, disputes,
controversies or other matters in question ("claims"), whether or not arising
out of this Agreement or the Employee's employment (or its termination),
whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise and whether provided by statute
or common law, that the Company may have against the Employee or that the
Employee may have against the Company or its parents, subsidiaries and
affiliates, and each of the foregoing entities' respective officers, directors,
employees or agents in their capacity as such or otherwise; except that this
agreement to arbitrate shall not limit the Company's right to seek equitable
relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, and damages in a
court of competent jurisdiction for an alleged breach of Sections 7, 8, 9, 10
or 11 of this Agreement.  Claims covered by this agreement to arbitrate also
include claims by the Employee for breach of this Agreement, wrongful
termination, discrimination (based on age, race, sex, disability, national
origin or any other factor) and retaliation.  In the event of any breach of
this Agreement by the Company, it is expressly agreed that notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, the only damages to which Employee shall be
entitled is lost compensation and benefits in accordance with Section 2(b) or
4.  The Company and the Employee agree that any arbitration shall be in
accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA") and, to the extent an issue
is not addressed by the FAA, with the then-current National Rules for the
Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association
("AAA").   If a party refuses to honor its obligations under this agreement to
arbitrate, the other party may compel arbitration in either federal or state
court.  The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law of the State of Texas
(excluding Texas choice-of-law principles that might call for the application
of some other state's law), or federal law, or both as applicable to the claims
asserted.  The arbitrator shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute
relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability or formation of
this agreement to arbitrate, including any claim that all or part of this
Agreement is void or voidable and any claim that an issue is not subject to
arbitration.  The parties agree that venue for arbitration will be in Dallas,
Texas, and that any arbitration commenced in any other venue will be
transferred to Dallas, Texas, upon the written request of any party to this
Agreement.  In the event that an arbitration is actually conducted pursuant to
this Section 12(h), the party in whose favor the Arbitrator renders the award
shall be entitled to have and recover from the other party all costs and
expenses incurred including reasonable attorneys' fees, expert witness fees,
and costs actually incurred.  Any and all of the arbitrator's orders, decisions
and awards may be enforceable in, and judgment upon any award rendered by
<PAGE>   14
the arbitrator may be confirmed and entered by, any federal or state court
having jurisdiction.  All proceedings conducted pursuant to this agreement to
arbitrate, including any order, decision or award of the arbitrator, shall be
kept confidential by all parties.

   g.     Survival.  Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of this Agreement shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.

   h.     Choice of Law.  This Agreement and the rights and obligations
hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Texas without reference to principles of conflicts of law of Texas or
any other jurisdiction, and, where applicable, the laws of the United States.

   i.     Amendment.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any time
except by a written instrument approved by the Board and executed by the
Company and the Employee.

   j.     Employee Acknowledgment.  Employee acknowledges that he has read and
understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted
in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than
those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely
based on his own judgment.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employee has hereunto set the Employee's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, on this 1st day of January,
1998, to be effective as of the day and year first above written.

                                             EMPLOYEE



                                             /s/ HORACE HICKS
                                             ------------------------------
                                             Horace Hicks

                                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.



                                             By: /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
                                                ---------------------------
                                                Randall S. Fojtasek
                                                President
<PAGE>   15
                                   EXHIBIT A


     Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Employee's Incentive Bonus ("EBITDA
Bonus") shall be payable based upon achievement of the following targets:

o    If HR Windows achieves 80% of its budgeted EBITDA, the Employee shall
     receive 50% of the EBITDA Bonus;

o    If HR Windows achieves 90% of its budgeted EBITDA, the Employee shall
     receive 75% of the EBITDA Bonus;

o    If HR Windows achieves 100% of its budgeted EBITDA, the Employee shall
     receive 100% of the EBITDA Bonus; and

o    If HR Windows achieves 110% of its budgeted EBITDA, the Employee shall
     receive 125% of the EBITDA Bonus.

     The EBITDA Bonus will be paid on a sliding scale and on a prorata basis.
     For example, if 95% of the budgeted EBITDA is achieved, the Employee is
     entitled to 87.5% of the EBITDA Bonus. No EBITDA Bonus will be paid if HR
     Windows achieves less than 80% of the budgeted EBITDA.

     The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of the Employee's Incentive Bonus
shall be payable based upon achievement of the following targets:

o    If HR Windows meets its performance targets with respect to Accounts
     Receivable Days, then the Employee shall be entitled to receive 5% of the
     Employee's Incentive Bonus.

o    If HR Windows meets its performance targets with respect to Accounts
     Payable Days, then the Employee shall be entitled to receive 5% of the
     Employee's Incentive Bonus.

o    If HR Windows meets its performance targets with respect to Inventory, then
     the Employee shall be entitled to receive 5% of the Employee's Incentive
     Bonus.

o    If HR Windows meets its performance targets with respect to Fixed Assets,
     then the Employee shall be entitled to receive 5% of the Employee's
     Incentive Bonus.

o    If HR Windows meets its performance targets with respect to Lost Work Days,
     then the Employee shall be entitled to receive 5% of the Employee's
     Incentive Bonus.

     These parts of the Employee's Incentive Bonus shall not be paid on a
     sliding scale or prorata basis.
<PAGE>   16

                                   EXHIBIT B


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     CRITERIA                         1998 TARGET                          1997 ACTUAL
     --------                         -----------                          -----------
 <S>                                  <C>                                  <C>
 Budgeted EBITDA                      $5,861,894                           $5,560,252

 Number of Days Accounts Receivable
 Outstanding                          36.3 (or less)                             38.2
 Number of Days Accounts Payable
 Outstanding                          39.8 (or more)                             38.9

 Number of Inventory Turns            9.00 (or more)                              8.6

 Number of Fixed Assets Turns         65.0 (or more)                             64.2

 Number of Lost Days Due to Work
 Injuries                             72 (or less)                                 80
</TABLE>



APPROVED:

/s/ HORACE HICKS                                    JANUARY 1, 1998
-------------------------------                    -----------------
Horace Hicks                                       Date

/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK                             JANUARY 1, 1998
-------------------------------                    -----------------
Randall S. Fojtasek                                Date

/s/ JEFF L. HULL                                    JANUARY 1, 1998
-------------------------------                    -----------------
Jeff L. Hull                                       Date