Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.27

                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

      This Subscription Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of October 25, 2000 by and among D and W Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and GE Investment Private Placement Partners II, a Limited
Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Subscriber").

                             W I T N E S S E T H:

      WHEREAS, the Subscriber desires to subscribe for and purchase, and the
Company desires to issue and sell to the Subscribers, such number of shares of
Series A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), of the Company
set forth opposite the Subscriber's name on Schedule 1 hereto at the purchase
price of $1.30 per share or an aggregate purchase price set forth opposite the
Subscriber's name on Schedule 1 hereto (the "Aggregate Purchase Price").

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and benefits to
accrue to the Company and the Subscriber and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

      1. SUBSCRIPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
the Subscriber hereby subscribes for and agrees to purchase, and the Company
hereby accepts such subscription and agrees to issue and sell to the Subscriber,
the Shares for the Aggregate Purchase Price in the amounts as set forth opposite
the Subscriber's name on Schedule 1 hereto.

      2. DELIVERIES. Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement, and subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, the Company shall deliver to the Subscriber
a certificate representing the Shares, against payment of the Aggregate Purchase
Price by the Subscriber, in the amounts as set forth opposite the Subscriber's
name on Schedule 1 hereto.

      3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SUBSCRIBERS.  The Subscriber
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

            (a) The Subscriber is an Accredited Investor as such term is defined
in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations in effect thereunder.

            (b) The Subscriber is acquiring the Shares solely for its own
account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale
thereof.

            (c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Subscriber of
this Agreement are within the powers of the Subscriber, have been duly
authorized and will not constitute or result in a breach or default under,
violation of, or conflict with, any law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance,
order, judgment, injunction, decree, or other similar restriction, or any
contract, agreement, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, instrument, permit

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or other undertaking, to which the Subscriber is a party or by which the
Subscriber is bound, any provisions of its articles of incorporation, by-laws,
limited liability company agreement or similar instruments. The signature of the
Subscriber on this Agreement is genuine, and the signatory has legal competence
and capacity to execute the same. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Subscriber, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except as the enforceability thereof may be subject to or limited by (a)
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar
laws relating to or affecting rights of creditors; and (b) general equitable
principles, regardless of whether the issue of enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law.

      4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.  The Company
represents and warrants to the Subscriber as follows:

            (a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

            (b) The Company has the necessary right, power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby,
and this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforceability thereof may be subject to or limited by (a) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws
relating to or affecting rights of creditors; and (b) general equitable
principles, regardless of whether the issue of enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law.

            (c) When issued in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof,
all of the Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable. Neither the execution nor delivery of this
Agreement nor fulfillment of nor compliance with the terms and provisions of
this Agreement by the Company, will conflict with, or result in any violation
of, or result in the creation of any lien upon any of the properties or assets
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or require any consent,
approval or other action by any court or administrative or governmental body or
any other person pursuant to, the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, any award of any arbitrator or any
agreement, instrument, order, judgment, decree, statute, law, rule or regulation
to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject.

            (d) The issue or delivery of the Shares will not require any
consent, approval or authorization of, or any notice to, or filing, registration
or qualification with, any court or administrative or governmental body other
than with respect to applicable state securities or blue sky laws for which the
appropriate consents, approvals or authorizations have been obtained and the
appropriate notices, filings, registrations or qualifications have been made.

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      5. FURTHER ASSURANCES.  The parties hereto will, upon reasonable
request of another party, execute and deliver any additional documents
necessary or desirable to complete the transactions described herein.

      6. MISCELLANEOUS.

            (i)   GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and
      enforceable in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York,
      without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

            (ii) AMENDMENTS, ETC. All amendments or waivers of any provisions of
      this Agreement may only be made pursuant to a written instrument executed
      by the parties hereto or their successors and permitted assigns.

            (iii) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All covenants and agreements in this
      Agreement made by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and
      inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of such
      party; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no party hereto may assign any of its
      rights or obligations under this Agreement without the written consent of
      the other parties hereto.

            (iv) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
      counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
      together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

            (v) THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement shall not, and shall
      not be deemed to, confer any right or remedy upon any person other than
      the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by or on behalf of
each of the parties hereto as of the date first above written.

                                 D AND W HOLDINGS, INC.

                                 By_________________________________
                                   Name:  Jeff L. Hull
                                   Title:  President

                                 GE INVESTMENT PRIVATE PLACEMENT
                                 PARTNERS II, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                 BY:  GE ASSET MANAGEMENT
                                 INCORPORATED, Its General Partner

                                 By_________________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

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                                   SCHEDULE 1

                                          AGGREGATE PURCHASE
                                          PRICE (AT RATE OF
SUBSCRIBER               SHARES            $1.30 PER SHARE)
----------               ------            ----------------

GEIPPPII               11,538,461            $15,000,000<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 10.28

                         ELLISON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

            ELLISON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
October 25, 2000, by and among D and W Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Holdings"), and The Ellison Company, Inc. (the "Stockholder").

                                   RECITALS :

            WHEREAS, Holdings has entered into a Second Amended and Restated
Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with the Stockholder which will
provide for the acquisition by Atrium Companies, Inc. ("Atrium") of certain
assets from the Stockholder (the "Acquisition").

            WHEREAS, concurrently with the consummation of the Acquisition
pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Stockholder desires to
subscribe for and purchase from Holdings, and Holdings desires to issue to the
Stockholder, such number of shares of Series A Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share, of Holdings (the "Holdings Shares") as provided herein as payment for a
portion of the assets to be purchased from the Stockholder pursuant to the terms
of the Purchase Agreement.

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

            1.    SUBSCRIPTION; PAYMENT. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, in reliance on the representations and
warranties of Holdings and in consideration of the issuance to the Stockholder
of the number of Holdings Shares set forth opposite the name of the Stockholder
on SCHEDULE A hereto, the Stockholder agrees to subscribe for, at the Closing,
the number of Holding Shares set forth opposite the name of the Stockholder on
SCHEDULE A hereto as payment for a portion of the assets to be purchased from
the Stockholder pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

            2.    ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY OF HOLDINGS SHARES. On the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, in reliance on the
representations and warranties of the Stockholder and in consideration of the
sale of certain assets, Holdings agrees to issue and deliver to the Stockholder,
at the Closing, the number of Holdings Shares set forth opposite the name of the
Stockholder on SCHEDULE A hereto.

            3.    CLOSING. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the closing of the transactions provided for herein (the "Closing")
shall be held at the offices of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, 399 Park
Avenue,

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New York, New York 10022, on or about October 25, 2000 (the "Closing Date").

                  (b)   At the Closing:

                        (i) the Stockholder shall deliver to Atrium the
Purchased Assets and the Purchased Shares (as such terms are defined in the
Purchase Agreement) pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement; and

                        (ii) Holdings shall deliver to the Stockholder
certificates evidencing the number of Holdings Shares to be issued to such
Stockholder as set forth on SCHEDULE A hereto.

            4.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE
STOCKHOLDER. As an inducement to Holdings to enter into this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Stockholder represents and
warrants to Holdings that, with respect to such Stockholder and the Holdings
Shares to be issued to such Stockholder hereunder, the following are true and
correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:

                  (a) The Stockholder has full legal capacity to enter into and
deliver this Agreement and to perform his or its obligations hereunder. This
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Stockholder
and constitutes such Stockholder's legal, valid and binding obligation,
enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability is limited by (i) principles of equity that may restrict the
availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies (whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (ii)
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance,
fraudulent transfer and other laws applicable to creditors' rights generally.

                  (b) The Stockholder is an "accredited investor," as such term
is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Act").

                  (c) The Stockholder is able to bear the economic risks of
holding the Holdings Shares for an indefinite period of time, has adequate means
of providing for the Stockholder's current needs and possible contingencies
without any need to sell the Holdings Shares and can afford to suffer the
complete loss of any investment in Holdings.

                  (d) The Stockholder has such knowledge and experience in
financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and
risks of an investment in Holdings and protecting the Stockholder's interests in
connection with an investment in Holdings or the Stockholder has been advised by
a representative possessing such knowledge and experience.

                  (e) The Stockholder and the Stockholder's representatives have

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received and carefully reviewed a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1999 and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000, of Atrium (the "SEC Filings"),
and that certain Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, by and between Holdings, the Stockholder and the other parties
named therein attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Stockholders Agreement"), and
any exhibits and amendments thereof or supplements thereto, and the Stockholder
understands all of the risks related to making an investment in Holdings. The
Stockholder has had the opportunity to obtain any additional information
necessary to verify the accuracy of the information contained in such documents
and to evaluate the merits and income tax consequences of the investment in
Holdings. All inquiries made by the Stockholder and the Stockholder's
representatives with respect to Holdings and its subsidiaries and the purchase
of the Holdings Shares have been answered. No representations or warranties have
been made to the Stockholder or the Stockholder's representatives concerning the
Holdings Shares or Holdings or its prospects, subsidiaries or other matters
except as set forth in this Agreement. In making the decision to purchase the
Holdings Shares, the Stockholder has not relied on any information provided by
Holdings other than (i) the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement, (ii) information derived solely from the Stockholders independent
investigations and (iii) the SEC Filings.

                  (f) The Stockholder recognizes that the Stockholder's
investment in Holdings involves a high degree of risk and that no federal or
state agency has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the SEC Filings or upon
the Holdings Shares or made any finding or determination as to the fairness of
an investment in Holdings.

                  (g) The Stockholder is aware that the Stockholder must bear
the economic risk of the Stockholder's investment in Holdings for an indefinite
period of time because (i) the Holdings Shares have not been registered under
the Act or under the securities laws of any state, and therefore cannot be sold
unless they are subsequently registered under the Act and any applicable state
securities laws or unless an exemption from such registration is available, and
(ii) the Stockholders Agreement provides that a Stockholder may transfer and
assign the Stockholder's Holdings Shares only upon the satisfaction of certain
conditions.

                  (h) The Stockholder is acquiring the Holdings Shares solely
for the Stockholder's own account for investment and not with a view to the
distribution or resale thereof.

                  (i) The Stockholder has not offered or sold any portion of the
Stockholder's Holdings Shares and has no present intention of reselling or
otherwise disposing of any of the Stockholder's Holdings Shares.

                  (j) The Stockholder has been advised by Holdings and agrees
that (i) there is no existing public market for the Holdings Shares and there is
no assurance that there will be any market for the Holdings Shares in the
future,

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(ii) Rule 144 promulgated under the Act ("Rule 144") is not presently available
with respect to offers or sales of any securities of Holdings, (iii) when and if
the Holdings Shares may be disposed of without registration under the Act in
reliance on Rule 144, certain persons considered to be affiliates of Holdings
will be able to dispose of the Holdings Shares only in limited amounts in
accordance with the terms and conditions of such rule, and subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and the Buy/Sell Agreement, (iv) securities
laws of jurisdictions outside the United States may restrict the Stockholder's
ability to dispose of the Holdings Shares in such jurisdictions and Holdings may
impose restrictions on transfers of the Holdings Shares to avoid its violation
of such laws, (v) a restrictive legend may be placed on instruments representing
the Holdings Shares, and (vi) a notation shall be made in the appropriate
records of Holdings indicating that the Holdings Shares are subject to
restrictions on transfer and, if Holdings should at some time in the future
engage the services of a stock transfer agent, appropriate stop transfer
restrictions may be issued to such transfer agent with respect to the Holdings
Shares.

                  (k) The Stockholder will not, directly or indirectly, offer,
transfer, sell, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of the Holdings Shares or
any portion thereof except in compliance with the Act and the Stockholders
Agreement. The Stockholder agrees and acknowledges that, in the event the
Stockholder is permitted to offer, transfer, sell, assign, pledge or otherwise
dispose of the Holdings Shares or any portion thereof pursuant to the
Stockholder's Agreement (i) any such offer, transfer, sale, assignment, pledge
or other disposition will be pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Act and under all applicable state securities laws, or (ii) the
Stockholder will furnish Holdings with an opinion of counsel, which opinion and
counsel shall be satisfactory to Holdings, to the effect that no such
registration is required because of the availability of an exemption from
registration under the Act and under all applicable state securities laws.

                  (l) The Stockholder agrees that if, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Stockholders Agreement, any of the Holdings Shares are to be
disposed of in accordance with Rule 144 or otherwise by the Stockholder, the
Stockholder shall promptly notify Holdings of such intended disposition and
shall deliver to Holdings, at or prior to the time of such disposition, such
documentation as Holdings may reasonably request in connection with such
disposition and, in the case of a disposition pursuant to Rule 144, shall
deliver to Holdings an executed copy of any notice on Form 144 required to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  (m) The Stockholder has not received, paid or given, directly
or indirectly, any commission or remuneration for or on account of any sale, or
the solicitation of any sale, of the Holdings Shares.

                  (n) The Stockholder has received and, by execution hereof,
acknowledges that, (i) he has accepted the offer to sell the Holdings Shares in
the state indicated on the signature page hereto, (ii) the address set forth on
the signature page hereto is the address where such Stockholder is a resident
and domiciliary (not a

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temporary or transient resident), (iii) the Stockholder is not acquiring the
Holdings Shares as an agent or otherwise for any other person, and (iv) the
Stockholder is a citizen of the United States.

                  (o) The Stockholder agrees that all of the information which
the Stockholder has provided to Holdings and its affiliates and representatives
concerning its financial position is true, complete and correct.

                  (p) The Stockholder understands and agrees that Holdings is a
holding company with no operations and a limited financial history.

            5.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HOLDINGS. As an inducement
to the Stockholder to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, Holdings represents and warrants to the
Stockholder that, except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Documents
(defined below), the following are true and correct as of the date hereof and as
of the Closing Date:

                  (a) Holdings is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

                  (b) Holdings is authorized to issue 250,000,000 Holdings
Shares, of which, prior to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement, 125,629,043 shares are issued and outstanding. The outstanding
Holdings Shares were duly authorized and, when issued, were validly issued,
fully paid, non-assessable. None of the Holdings Shares were issued in violation
of any preemptive or other right. Options to acquire 15,738,401 Holdings Shares
(the "Holdings Options") are issued and outstanding. Other than the Holdings
Options, and except as set forth in Schedule 5(b), Holdings is not a party to or
bound by any contract or agreement which grants to any person or entity an
option or right of first refusal or other right of any character to acquire at
any time, or upon the happening of any stated events, shares of capital stock or
other securities of Holdings, whether or not presently issued or outstanding.
Other than the Holdings Options, and except as set forth in Schedule 5(b), there
is no outstanding right, subscription, warrant, call, option or other agreement
of any kind to issue, purchase or otherwise to receive from Holdings any of the
outstanding, the authorized but unissued, the unauthorized or the treasury
shares of the capital stock or any other security of Holdings, and there is no
outstanding security of any kind convertible or exchangeable into capital stock
of Holdings.

                  (c) When issued in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof, all of the Holdings Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

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<PAGE>

                  (d) Holdings has all requisite corporate power and authority
to enter into and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder, and has duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by all necessary corporate action. This Agreement has been duly
and validly authorized, executed and delivered by Holdings and constitutes
Holdings' legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except as enforceability is limited by (i) principles of equity that
may restrict the availability of specific performance and other equitable
remedies (whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or
at law), and (ii) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent
conveyance, fraudulent transfer and other laws applicable to creditors' rights
generally.

                  (e) Except for the requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by Holdings is not subject to the
jurisdiction, approval, notification of or consent of any governmental,
regulatory or administrative agency, other than with respect to applicable state
securities or blue sky laws for which the appropriate consents, approvals or
authorizations have been obtained and the appropriate notices, filings,
registrations or qualifications have been made.

                  (f) Except for the requirements of the HSR Act, and except as
set forth on Schedule 5(f), the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Holdings will not violate (with or without the giving of notice or
the lapse of time or both) or require any consent or approval, filing or notice
under and will not conflict with, or result in the breach or termination of any
provision of, or constitute a default under, or result in the acceleration of
the performance of the obligations of Holdings under Holdings' Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws or under any material indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, lease, license agreement, contract, instrument or other agreement, or any
law, order, judgment or decree to which Holdings is a party or by which Holdings
is bound.

                  (g) There is no material litigation, arbitration or other
proceeding or governmental investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of
Holdings, threatened against Holdings. There are no material actions pending or,
to the best knowledge of Holdings, threatened against Holdings by any
governmental or quasi-governmental agency with respect to compliance by Holdings
with applicable laws, ordinances or regulations. To the best knowledge of
Holdings, there is no outstanding execution, order, writ, injunction, judgment
or decree of any court, government or governmental agency against Holdings or to
which Holdings is subject.

                  (h) Each document filed by Atrium since January 1, 1999 with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Company Disclosure Documents") and
any amendments or supplements thereto, when filed, complied in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. At the time of the filing of any Company Disclosure Document
and at the time of any distribution thereof, such Company Disclosure Document
did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to

                                       6
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make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties contained in
this Section 5(h) do not apply to statements or omissions included in the
Company Disclosure Documents based upon information furnished to Atrium in
writing by third parties specifically for use therein. Holdings has no actual
knowledge of any information furnished to Atrium by a third party in writing for
use in the Company Disclosure Documents containing any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitting a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made in the Company Disclosure Documents, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  (i) All inventory of Atrium as set forth in the consolidated
balance sheet dated as of June 30, 2000 (the "Balance Sheet") consisted of, and
all inventory of Atrium as of the Closing Date will consist of, raw materials,
supplies, work-in-process, goods in transit and finished goods of a quality and
quantity usable or salable in the ordinary course of business of Atrium and its
subsidiaries. The value at which inventories were reflected in the Balance Sheet
was the lower of cost or market value adjusted to conform to LIFO inventory
valuation principles, all in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding
fiscal year.

                  (j) Except as set forth in Schedule 5(j), since January 1,
1999, Holdings and each of its subsidiaries have conducted their respective
businesses only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, without
extraordinary or unusual transactions, and none of them has suffered any change,
event or condition that individually or in the aggregate has had (or could
reasonably be expected to have) a material adverse effect upon the business,
operations, properties, assets, liabilities, prospects or financial condition of
Holdings and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  (k) Except as set forth in Schedule 5(k), Holdings and each of
its subsidiaries, and their respective properties and operations, are in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal, state, local
and foreign laws, ordinances, regulations, orders, judgments, injunctions,
awards, decrees and other requirements of any governmental or quasi-governmental
body, court or arbitrator.

                  (l) There are no liabilities or obligations of Holdings or any
of its subsidiaries, either accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise,
including, but not limited to, any liabilities for taxes due or to become due,
except:

                        (i) to the extent reflected in the Balance Sheet or the
                  Holdings Balance Sheet (defined below) and not heretofore paid
                  or discharged,

                        (ii) those incurred, consistently with past business
                  practice, in or as a result of the normal and ordinary course
                  of business since December 31, 1999,

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<PAGE>

                        (iii) liabilities or obligations specifically disclosed
                  in the Schedules to this Agreement or in the Company
                  Disclosure Documents; and

                        (iv) liabilities or obligations not required by GAAP to
                  be reflected in the Balance Sheet, the Holdings Balance Sheet
                  or in Atrium's financial statements that are part of the
                  Company Disclosure Documents and of which Holdings has no
                  knowledge.

                  (m) After giving effect to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, Holdings
and its subsidiaries are solvent. For purposes of this Section 5(m), "solvent"
means that the sum of the value of the person's or entity's assets, at both fair
value or fair saleable value, exceeds its indebtedness and other probable
liabilities (including contingent liabilities); "fair value" means the value
which would be realized in an exchange or series of exchanges between a willing
buyer and a willing seller, within a commercially reasonable period of time,
neither being under compulsion, each having reasonable knowledge of all relevant
facts, and assuming the retention of all operating assets within Holdings and
its subsidiaries and continuation of the operations as a going concern; and
"fair saleable value" means the value which would be realized from an interested
purchaser aware of all relevant information relating to the assets or group of
assets being sold and who is willing to purchase under ordinary selling
conditions in an existing and not theoretical market if the assets or group of
assets are disposed of within a period of six (6) months to one (1) year. The
cash flow from the operations of Holdings and its subsidiaries, after taking
into account all other anticipated uses of the cash, will be sufficient to
provide cash necessary to repay their indebtedness. In consummating the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Holdings and its subsidiaries do
not intend to make any transfer or incur any obligations, with the intent to
disturb, delay, hinder or defraud either present or future creditors. Upon the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Holdings and
its subsidiaries will have sufficient capital with which to conduct their
present or proposed businesses and their property will not constitute
unreasonably small capital with which to conduct their present or proposed
businesses, and will not engage in a business or transaction for which they have
unreasonably small capital.

                  (n) No person is purchasing common stock of Holdings for a
price less than $1.30 per share in connection with the transactions contemplated
by the Purchase Agreement, including the transactions described in clauses (iii)
through (vii) of the "Acquisition Transactions" definition set forth in Section
1.01 of the Stockholders Agreement.

                  (o) Holdings is a holding company that was formed for the
purpose of investing in Atrium Corporation. Schedule 5(n) contains a true and
correct balance sheet of Holdings as of December 31, 1999 (the "Holdings Balance
Sheet").

                                       8
<PAGE>

            6.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDINGS. The
obligations of Holdings to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject, at its election, to the fulfillment, performance or
occurrence prior to or at the Closing, to Holdings' reasonable satisfaction, of
each of the following conditions:

                  (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each representation and
warranty made by the Stockholder in this Agreement or in any document delivered
pursuant to the provisions hereof, shall be true and correct at and as of the
time of Closing.

                  (b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS AND CONDITIONS. The Stockholder
shall have performed and complied with all obligations and conditions required
by this Agreement to be performed or complied with prior to or at the Closing,
including, but not limited to, the payment of the Purchase Price.

                  (c) NO PROHIBITIONS. No injunction, stay or restraining order
shall be in effect prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

                  (d) STOCKHOLDER'S AGREEMENT. The Stockholder shall have
executed and delivered the Stockholder's Agreement.

                  (e) HSR ACT. The filing requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been complied with,
neither the United States Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") nor the Antitrust
Division of the United States Department of Justice (the "Antitrust Division")
shall have taken any action in response to such filings, and the waiting period
prescribed by the HSR Act shall have expired.

            7.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE STOCKHOLDER. The
obligations of each of the Stockholder to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject, at its or his election, to the
fulfillment, performance or occurrence prior to or at the Closing, to the
Stockholder's reasonable satisfaction, of each of the following conditions:

                  (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each representation and
warranty made by Holdings in this Agreement or in any document delivered
pursuant to the provisions hereof shall be true and correct at and as of the
time of Closing.

                  (b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS AND CONDITIONS. Holdings shall
have performed and complied with all obligations and conditions required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by Holdings prior to or at the
Closing.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                  (c) NO PROHIBITIONS. No injunction, stay or restraining order
shall be in effect prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

                  (d) STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT. Holdings and the other parties
named therein shall have executed and delivered the Stockholders Agreement.

                  (e) HSR ACT. The filing requirements of the HSR Act relating
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been complied
with, neither the FTC nor the Antitrust Division shall have taken any action in
response to such filings, and the waiting period prescribed by the HSR Act shall
have expired.

            8.    SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
representations and warranties and other agreements set forth in this Agreement
shall survive execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby for a period of sixteen (16) months
following the Closing. All of the same shall be deemed to have been relied upon
by the party to which made.

            9.    INDEMNITY. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Section 9, the Stockholder hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless
Holdings and its subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors,
employees, stockholders, representatives, agents, successors and assigns from
and against all losses, damages, demands, claims, assessments, actions, taxes,
penalties, interest, reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees, settlement
costs and other costs and expenses (collectively, "Indemnified Losses") arising
out of, or incident to, any of the following:

                  (i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by the
            Stockholder herein or in any certificate or other instrument
            delivered pursuant hereto;

                  (ii) any breach or failure by the Stockholder to perform or
            fulfill any of his covenants or agreements set forth herein;

                  (iii) the sale or distribution of any Holdings Shares by the
            Stockholder in violation of the Act, any applicable state securities
            or blue sky laws or the Stockholders Agreement;

                  (iv) any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings,
            investigations, demands, assessments and judgments incident to any
            of the foregoing.

            (b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 9, Holdings
hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Stockholder from and
against all Indemnified Losses arising out of, or incident to, any of the
following:

                                       10
<PAGE>

                  (i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by
            Holdings herein or in any certificate or other instrument delivered
            pursuant hereto;

                  (ii)  any failure by Holdings to perform or fulfill any of its
            covenants or agreements set forth herein; or

                  (iii) any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings,
            investigations, demands, assessments and judgments incident to any
            of the foregoing.

            (c)   All claims for indemnification hereunder shall be resolved in
accordance with the following procedures:

                  (i) If Holdings or any of its subsidiaries or the Stockholder,
            as appropriate, has incurred or reasonably believes that it may
            incur any Indemnified Loss (the "Indemnified Party"), it shall
            deliver promptly written notice to the other (the "Indemnifying
            Party") setting forth in reasonable detail the nature and amount of
            the Indemnified Loss or potential Indemnified Loss, if possible, and
            further referencing the sections of this Agreement upon which the
            claim for indemnification for such Indemnified Loss is based (a
            "Claim Notice"). If an Indemnified Party receives notice of a
            third-party claim for which it intends to seek indemnification
            hereunder, it shall give the Indemnifying Party prompt written
            notice of such claim, so that the Indemnifying Party's defense of
            such claim under Section 9(d) hereof may be timely instituted. The
            failure by an Indemnified Party to provide such written notice shall
            not constitute a waiver of the Indemnified Party's right to
            indemnity unless such failure has resulted in the loss of
            substantive rights with respect to the Indemnifying Party's ability
            to defend such claim, and then only to the extent of such loss.

                  (ii) If, after receiving a Claim Notice for an Indemnified
            Loss, the Indemnifying Party desires to dispute such claim or the
            amount claimed in the Claim Notice, it shall deliver to the
            Indemnified Party a written objection to such claim or payment
            setting forth the basis for disputing such claim or payment. Such
            notice shall be delivered within thirty (30) days after the date the
            Claim Notice to which it relates is received by the Indemnifying
            Party. If no such notice is received within the aforementioned
            30-day period, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to payment
            for such Indemnified Loss from the Indemnifying Party within ten
            (10) days of the end of such 30-day objection period, subject to the
            limitations of Section 9(h) hereof.

            (d) The Indemnifying Party under this Section 9 shall have the right
to conduct and control through counsel of its own choosing, which counsel shall
be

                                       11
<PAGE>

reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party, any third-party claim, action
or suit; provided that the Indemnifying Party diligently contests and defends
such claim. The Indemnified Party shall be entitled at any time, at its own cost
and expense (except that such cost and expense shall be paid by the Indemnifying
Party if (a) the Indemnified Party reasonably determines that the Indemnifying
Party is not adequately representing or, because of a conflict of interest, may
not adequately represent the interests of any Indemnified Party, or (b) the
third party claim, action or suit seeks damages in excess of the limitations set
forth in Section 9(h)(iii) hereof), to participate in such contest and defense
and to be represented by attorneys of its or their own choosing. Except with the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld, no Indemnifying Party, in the defense of such claim or litigation,
shall consent to entry of any judgment or order, interim or otherwise, or enter
into any settlement that provides for injunctive or other nonmonetary relief
affecting the Indemnified Party or that does not include as an unconditional
term thereof the giving by each claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party
of a release from all liability with respect to such claim or litigation;
provided, however, that with respect to any claim, audit or litigation relating
to taxes, the Indemnifying Party shall not consent to entry of any judgment or
order, interim or otherwise, or enter into any settlement, in any case, of any
type whatsoever, except with the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party,
which written consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

            (e) In the event that the Indemnifying Party does not elect to
defend against any third-party claim, the Indemnified Party may defend against
such claim in such manner as it may in its good faith discretion deem
appropriate and, to the extent and subject to the limitations provided in this
Section 9, the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any legal expenses
reasonably incurred in connection with such defense; provided, however, that the
Indemnified Party shall not, without the consent of the Indemnifying Party,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, settle or consent to the entry
of judgment with respect to such third-party claim.

            (f) In the event of any claim by a third party, the parties hereto
agree that they will cooperate fully with each other in connection with the
defense or settlement of such matter.

            (g) The indemnification provided for in this Section 9 shall be
subject to the following limitations:

                  (i) Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement
            or elsewhere herein to the contrary, except as set forth in the next
            sentence, the Stockholder shall have no right to receive any
            indemnification from Holdings with respect to Indemnified Losses
            relating to breaches of representations or warranties until such
            Indemnified Losses exceed, in the aggregate, $66,000 (the
            "Deductible"), whereupon Holdings shall be obligated to pay all
            Indemnified Losses. The Deductible shall not apply to any
            Indemnified Loss arising out of Holdings' fraud, bad faith or
            willful misconduct in connection with this Agreement.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                  (ii) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9 or elsewhere
            herein to the contrary, the liability of Holdings under this Section
            9 for all Indemnified Losses relating to breaches of representations
            or warranties shall not exceed, in the aggregate, $1 million, except
            to the extent that such liability is based upon Holdings fraud, bad
            faith or willful misconduct in connection with this Agreement.

                  (iii) In determining the amount of any Indemnified Loss, there
            shall be taken into account any tax benefit or detriment, insurance
            proceeds or other similar recovery or offset realized, directly or
            indirectly, by the Indemnified Party.

            (h) Each of the parties hereto has the right to rely fully upon the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the other contained
herein or in any certificate delivered with respect to any of the foregoing.
Each of the covenants and agreements shall survive the Closing indefinitely and
the representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Agreement
and the Closing and shall remain in full force and effect for a period of
sixteen (16) months following the Closing Date; provided, however, that such
limitation on survival shall not apply to (i) any representation or warranty if
a Claim Notice with respect thereto is delivered as provided in this Section 9
prior to expiration of such period, or (ii) any claim based upon fraud, bad
faith or willful misconduct in connection with this Agreement, which shall, in
each case, survive the Closing indefinitely.

            (i) Except as provided in this Section 9, the parties acknowledge
and agree that the foregoing indemnification provisions of this Section 9 shall
be the exclusive remedy of the parties with respect to this Agreement.

            10.   PURCHASE AGREEMENT. It shall be a condition precedent to the
Closing that the parties to the Purchase Agreement execute and deliver the
Purchase Agreement and consummate the Acquisition and the other transactions
contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

            11.   MISCELLANEOUS.

                  (a) FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party hereto shall do and perform
or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall
execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and
documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out
the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.

                  (b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT; WAIVER. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof, supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and
understandings, if any, of the parties with respect thereto, may not be amended
or supplemented except by an instrument or counterparts thereof in writing
signed by the parties hereto and may not

                                       13
<PAGE>

be discharged except by such written instrument or by performance. No waiver of
any term or provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing
signed by the party to be charged and such waiver shall not be effective as to
any other provision of this Agreement.

                  (c) BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding on and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and, subject to the terms and
provisions hereof, their respective legal representatives, successors and
permitted assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights, interests or
obligations hereunder may be assigned by any Stockholder without the prior
written consent of Holdings.

                  (d) INVALIDITY OF PROVISION. The invalidity or
unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in
that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, including
that provision, in any other jurisdiction.

                  (e) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, all of which taken together shall be deemed one and the same
instrument.

                  (f) NOTICES. All notices or other communications given or made
hereunder shall be in writing and, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be
deemed to have been given when received by the party to whom such notice is to
be given at its address set forth below, or such other address for the party as
shall be specified by notice given pursuant hereto:

                  If to Holdings:

                        D and W Holdings, Inc.
                        c/o Ardshiel, Inc.
                        230 Park Avenue
                        New York, New York 10169
                        Attention:  Daniel T. Morley
                        Facsimile:  (212) 972-1809

                  With copies to:

                      Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
                        399 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
                        New York, New York 10022-4697
                        Attention:  Joel M. Simon
                                    Marie Censoplano
                        Facsimile:  (212) 319-4090

                                       14
<PAGE>

                  If to a Stockholder:

                        To the address set forth below such Stockholder's
                        signature on the signature page hereto.

                  With a copy to:

                        Schell Bray Aycock Abel & Livingston P.L.L.C.
                        P.O. Box 21847
                        Greensboro, North Carolina  27420
                        Attention:  Mike Abel
                        Facsimile:  (336) 370-8830

                  (g) HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of the several sections
of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute part
of this Agreement.

                  (h) THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Except as otherwise expressly
set forth herein, no individual or entity shall be a third-party beneficiary of
the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by any party
hereto.

                  (i) GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. This Agreement
shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the
parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York without regard
to the principles of conflict of laws. The parties agree to submit to the
personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts serving New
York, New York with respect to the enforcement or interpretation of this
Agreement or the parties' obligations hereunder. Each party hereto irrevocably
waives, to the full extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or
hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such
a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been
brought in an inconvenient forum. Nothing in this Section shall affect the right
of any party hereto to serve legal process in any manner permitted by law.

                  (j) SCHEDULES. All Schedules referred to in this Agreement are
intended to be and are hereby specifically made a part of this Agreement.

                                       15
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered
this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

                                    D AND W HOLDINGS, INC.

                                    By:_________________________________
                                       Name:  Jeff L. Hull
                                       Title: President

                                    THE ELLISON COMPANY, INC.

                                    By:_________________________________
                                       Name:  John Ellison, Jr.
                                       Title: President

<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               Number of
                 Name                       Holdings Shares
        --------------------------          ---------------
<S>                                             <C>
        The Ellison Company, Inc.               17,137,513

   TOTAL:                                       17,137,513
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 5(b)

1.    Second Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 17,
      2000, by and among The Ellison Company, Inc., Atrium Companies, Inc. and D
      and W Holdings, Inc.

2.    Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, entered into on or about
      October 25, 2000 (the "Stockholders Agreement"), by and among D and W
      Holdings, Inc. and each of the individual stockholders signatory to the
      Stockholders Agreement.

3.    Registration Rights and Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 25,
      2000, by and among D and W Holdings, Inc. and the purchasers listed on the
      signature pages thereto.

4.    Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2000,
      by and among D and W Holdings, Inc. and the purchasers listed on the
      signature pages thereto.

5.    Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2000, by and among D and W
      Holdings, Inc. and the purchasers listed on the signature pages thereto.

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 5(f)

1.    Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, entered into on or about
      October 25, 2000 (the "Stockholders Agreement"), by and among D and W
      Holdings, Inc. and each of the individual stockholders signatory to the
      Stockholders Agreement.

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 5(j)

      1.    The sale of substantially all of the assets of Wing Industries, Inc.
("Wing") to Premdor Corporation ("Premdor") pursuant to that certain Asset
Purchase Agreement, dated June 30, 2000, by and among Atrium Companies, Inc.,
Wing and Premdor.

      2.    The sale of substantially all of the assets of the Atrium Wood Patio
Doors division of Atrium Companies, Inc. ("Atrium") to Woodgrain Millwork, Inc.
("Woodgrain") pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August
30, 2000, by and between Atrium and Woodgrain.

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 5(k)

                                      None.

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 5(n)

                                  See attached.

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