Exhibit 16 Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 April 18, 2002 Dear Sir/Madam: We have read the second and fourth paragraphs of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated April 18, 2002 of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Copy to: Mr. Michael B. Clauer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Apogee Enterprises, Inc. CMH