EXHIBIT 99.1

Quanex Building Products Corporation Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

Engineered Products Group Reports Strong Fourth Quarter Earnings

Previously Announced Consolidation Plan for Its Insulating Glass Spacer Business

Repurchased 750,000 Shares of Common Stock in 2011

2011 Year End Cash & Equivalents of $90 million

HOUSTON, Dec. 12, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quanex Building Products Corporation (NYSE:NX), a leading manufacturer of engineered materials, components and systems serving domestic and international window and door OEMs through its Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products groups, today released fiscal 2011 fourth quarter and full year results for the period ending October 31, 2011.

Fourth quarter 2011 net sales were $233.0 million, compared to $222.3 million a year ago, and included $23.3 million of net sales from Edgetech. Fourth quarter 2011 diluted earnings from continuing operations were $0.17 per share, compared to $0.22 per share a year ago, and included LIFO income of $0.03 per share and special item expenses of $0.03 per share primarily associated with an asset impairment charge related to Quanex's consolidation plan for its U.S. insulating glass spacer business. Fourth quarter 2010 diluted earnings of $0.22 included a LIFO expense of $0.03 per share and special item expenses of $0.01 per share.

Net sales for 2011 were $848.3 million, compared to $798.3 million last year, and included $53.4 million of net sales from Edgetech. 2011 diluted earnings from continuing operations were $0.24 per share, compared to $0.64 per share last year, and included $0.04 per share of LIFO expense and $0.21 per share of special item expenses. 2010 diluted earnings of $0.64 included $0.06 per share of LIFO expense and $0.02 per share of special item income.

Engineered Products Group (EPG) is focused on providing window and door OEMs with fenestration components, products, and systems. Key end markets are residential repair & remodel (R&R) and new home construction.

Fourth quarter 2011 net sales were $129.6 million, compared to $101.8 million a year ago, and included $23.3 million of net sales from Edgetech. Fourth quarter 2010 net sales had the benefit of a $1500 window related tax credit. Despite the absence of credits in the fourth quarter of 2011, EPG (pre-Edgetech) generated higher net sales versus the year ago quarter due to higher volumes and improved productivity.

Fourth quarter 2011 operating income was $14.9 million, compared to $11.3 million a year ago, and included special item expenses of $1.2 million primarily associated with asset impairment charges related to the consolidation plan. Fourth quarter 2011 operating income improved over a year ago due to higher sales and improved productivity across EPG. Fourth quarter 2010 operating income of $11.3 million included special item expenses of $0.8 million.

2011 net sales were $420.3 million, compared to $361.1 million last year, and included $53.4 million of net sales from Edgetech. 2011 operating income was $30.3 million, compared to $34.3 million last year, and included special item expenses of $6.5 million.  2010 operating income of $34.3 million included special item expenses of $0.8 million.

Quanex believes there is value in measuring its sales performance against industry-related metrics. It compares EPG's sales to U.S. window shipments as reported by Ducker Worldwide, a market intelligence firm. For the 12 months ended October 31, 2011, "same store" EPG sales were flat compared to the previous 12 months, versus reported U.S. window shipments that were down 5% over the same period.

Edgetech Integration

Quanex continues to place a high priority on the successful integration of Edgetech into EPG. A review of the entire EPG sales and marketing structure was undertaken earlier this year, and from that evaluation, significant staffing changes were made in the fourth quarter to maximize the group's value proposition to existing and new customers. EPG experienced a significant increase in the size of its sales and marketing team, while reducing its comparable annualized sales and marketing costs.

IG Spacer Consolidation Plan

To further streamline its operations so that Quanex can better serve its window and door customers, the company announced on November 7, 2011, the consolidation of its IG spacer manufacturing facility located in Barbourville, KY into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, OH. At the completion of the consolidation, the Barbourville facility will be permanently closed. Quanex expects the consolidation to be concluded sometime in its 2012 third quarter. Cash costs associated with the plan have been estimated at about $16 million (absent the pre-tax, non-cash impairment charge of $1.6 million), all of which are expected to be spent in 2012. Quanex expects a payback period on its investment to be about 2.6 years, based on annual pre-tax cash savings of $9 million once the consolidation is complete.

Aluminum Sheet Products Group is a leading provider of aluminum sheet through its Nichols Aluminum operation. Key end markets are residential repair & remodel (R&R) and new home construction.

Fourth quarter 2011 shipments, net sales and operating income were 66 million pounds, $106.2 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Results were down from the year ago quarter due to weaker demand, in part because of the absence of the window related tax credit this quarter compared to the available credit last year. This time last year, customers were building inventory to handle the pick-up in demand the tax credit generated. In the fourth quarter of 2011, customers were de-stocking.

Operating income in the quarter was further impacted by higher repair & maintenance expenses (R&M) and reduced painted shipments compared to the year ago quarter. Nichols' spread (sales less material costs) was up 10% from the year ago quarter, primarily due to average selling prices that rose faster than average material costs.

2011 shipments, net sales and operating income were 277 million pounds, $440.5 million and $17.1 million, respectively. Results were down from last year due to lower shipments, lower painted sales, and higher R&M expenses. Nichols Aluminum is a high fixed cost business, so as shipments drop due to weaker demand, its ability to substantially reduce operating costs is limited.

Nichols Aluminum compares its shipments to industry shipments as reported by the Aluminum Association. For the 12 months ended October 31, 2011, Nichols' shipments were down 14% from a year ago, versus industry shipments that were up 2%. The underperformance is attributed to weaker residential demand, where Nichols Aluminum has a large presence, compared to stronger distribution and transportation demand, where it has a smaller presence.

Corporate and Other Items

Corporate expenses in the fourth quarter and year were $6.2 million and $30.9 million respectively, and included, in part: acquisition related expenses and ERP program expenses in the fourth quarter of $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and for the year, $4.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively. There were no related expenses in 2010.

Cash Position

Quanex had a cash balance of $89.6 million and total debt outstanding of $1.7 million at year end. Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations for the 12 months ended was $52.9 million. At year end, the company had no borrowings under its $270 million revolving credit facility; however, due to the facility's EBITDA covenant requirements, the available capacity at year end was approximately $188 million. Future uses of cash could be to fund organic growth activities, fund cash dividends on the company's common stock, make acquisitions, and repurchase outstanding shares. During the fourth quarter, Quanex purchased 493,751 shares of common stock at an average price of $11.73, including commissions. During 2011, the company purchased 750,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $13.44, including commissions.

Business Outlook

Stagnant R&R demand and new home starts, high levels of homes available for sale, and a tight credit market will continue to create a difficult housing environment. The company currently expects calendar year 2012 home starts and U.S. window shipments to be flat at 600,000 and 38 million units, respectively. Quanex, however, remains positive on the long term prospects of its residential and commercial markets and will continue to invest in its future. To that end, the company will continue to invest in its growth, through both internal programs and acquisitions, as it believes this is the best way to maximize long term returns for shareholders.

Dividend Declared

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share on the company's common stock, payable December 30, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 15, 2011.

Financial Statistics as of 10/31/11

Book value per common share: $11.88; Total debt to capitalization: 0.4%; Return on invested capital: 2.1%; Actual number of common shares outstanding: 36,807,846.

Definitions

Book value per common share – calculated as total stockholders' equity as of balance sheet date divided by actual number of common shares outstanding;

Total debt to capitalization – calculated as the sum of both the current and long-term portion of debt, as of balance sheet date, divided by the sum of both the current and long-term portion of debt plus total stockholders' equity as of balance sheet date;

EBITDA – calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

Return on invested capital – calculated as the total of the prior 12 months net income plus prior 12 months after-tax interest expense and capitalized interest, the sum of which is divided by the trailing five quarters average total debt (current and long term) and total stockholders' equity.

Statements that use the words "estimated," "expect," "could," "should," "believe," "will," "might," or similar words reflecting future expectations or beliefs are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, references to synergies derived from the acquisition of Edgetech, future operating results of Quanex, the financial condition of Quanex, future uses of cash, expectations relating to the consolidation of the company's IG spacer manufacturing facilities, expectations relating to the company's industry, and the company's future growth. The statements in this release are based on current expectations. Actual results or events may differ materially from this release. Factors that could impact future results may include, without limitation, the effect of both domestic and global economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the availability and cost of raw materials, and customer demand. For a more complete discussion of factors that may affect the company's future performance, please refer to the company's 10-K filing on December 20, 2010, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), in particular the section titled, "Private Securities Litigation Reform Act" contained therein and the company's 10-Q filings made for its fiscal year 2011 under the Exchange Act.

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For additional information, please visit www.quanex.com

CONTACT: Financial Contact:
         Jeff Galow
         713-877-5327
         Media Contact:
         Valerie Calvert
         713-877-5305