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Glossary

Knowing the basic components of a door will help you understand your options. Then, you can confidently communicate your vision to us.

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Active Door

The primary door used in a double door configuration. This door will also contain the operational handle set.

Adjustable Threshold

Also known as adjustable sill is a threshold that can adjust up or down to seal the door.

Astragal (T-Astragal)

A "T" shaped component that is attached to the passive door. Astragals are kerfed for weatherstrip to seal the gap between the two doors. In addition, top and bottom flushbolts are mortised into the astragal to hold the inactive door in place.

Backset

The distance from the edge of the door to the center of the lock bore hole.

Ball Bearing Hinge

A sturdier hinge featuring ball bearings placed between the hinge knuckles, designed to minimize friction. Primarily employed with exterior doors, it offers enhanced smoothness and quieter operation.

Beveled Glass

Glass that has been specially cut and polished at its edges to create a slanted, angled, or beveled surface around the perimeter of the glass pane. This technique produces a prism-like effect that enhances the glass's aesthetic appeal by refracting and reflecting light.

Brickmould

A decorative moulding used to trim the outside edge of a door frame to conceal the seam between the door frame and the wall edges.

Came/Caming

A metal strip typically made of Brass or Zinc, which is used to hold pieces of glass in place. Used for more decorative designs.

Casing

A decorative moulding used to trim the inside edge of a door frame to conceal the seam between the door frame and the wall edges.

Casing / Brickmould / Trim

Decorative molding or trim installed around the perimeter of the door frame to conceal gaps between the frame and the wall, providing a finished appearance.

Deadbolt

A security lock that requires a key to open from the exterior side of the door.

Door Hardware

This includes any locks, handles, knobs, or other mechanisms necessary for opening, closing, and securing the door.

Door Jamb

The vertical components of a door frame that run along the sides and top of the door opening, supporting and enclosing the door panel when it is closed. The door jamb often includes the hinges and strike plate for the door's latch or lock mechanism.

Door Sill / Threshold

This part is located at the bottom of an exterior door unit and is often made of aluminum, wood, or composite material. Many of them have an adjustable height to achieve an ideal seal between the door and the door unit.

Door Slab

A "door slab" refers to the portion of a door that comprises the actual panel or surface, excluding any attached frame, hinges, or hardware. Essentially, it is the flat, solid component of a door without any additional components. Door slabs are commonly used in situations where an existing frame is in place, and only the panel needs replacement or installation. They are available in various materials, designs, and sizes to suit different architectural styles and functional requirements. When purchasing a door slab, it is typically necessary to trim, drill, and mortise it on-site to fit precisely within the existing frame and accommodate hardware such as handles, locks, and hinges.

Door Stop

The part of the frame upon which the door panel rests when closed.

Dutch Door

A door usually exterior, with an upper and lower section that can be opened separately.

Engineered Wood

a type of wood that is constructed using a combination of real wood and engineered wood products, resulting in a door that combines the natural beauty of wood with enhanced stability and durability. Engineered wood doors are designed to minimize the potential drawbacks of solid wood doors, such as warping, shrinking, and expansion due to changes in humidity and temperature.

Finger Joint

A way of joining short sections of board stock together, end to end to make longer stock. Door and frame parts are often made using finger-jointed pine stock.

Flemished Glass

a.k.a Flemish pattern glass, is a type of decorative glass that features a textured or patterned design on its surface. The design often resembles a delicate, random arrangement of wavy lines, giving the glass a sense of movement and depth.

Flush Bolts

Flush bolts are mechanical devices used to secure an inactive door in a double door setup. They are typically installed on the top and bottom edges of the inactive door and are designed to slide into corresponding strike plates or sockets in the door frame or floor when engaged. This helps to stabilize the door and prevent it from swinging freely when not in use.

Frame

The structural framework surrounding the door slab, consisting of vertical side jambs, a horizontal head jamb, and sometimes a threshold at the bottom. The frame provides support and stability to the door assembly.

Handle Set

A complete assembly that includes a door handle or knob along with other accompanying hardware, such as a latch, lock cylinder, and often a backplate or escutcheon. A handle set is designed to offer a convenient and decorative way to open and close doors while also providing locking and security features. It's commonly used on exterior doors and can come in various styles and finishes to match the overall aesthetic of the door and surrounding architecture.

Hinges

Mechanisms attached to the door and frame that allow the door to swing open and closed. In a prehung unit, the hinges are typically already installed on the door slab and attached to the frame.

Inactive Door / Stationary Door

The inactive door in a double door arrangement remains stationary until unlocked. This door is typically unlocked by disengaging the flush bolts or slide bolts from the top and bottom of the door unit. Often, a divider known as a t-astragal is attached to the door, which is necessary to complete the seal when the active door is closed, yet allows for a seamless opening with both doors are open. The inactive door does not require a handle, though if a matching handle is desired, it's often termed a 'dummy handle'."

Lock Rail

In the context of a door, the horizontal rail positioned at a certain height on the door panel, where the lockset or latch mechanism is typically installed. This rail facilitates the secure locking of the door and contributes to the overall stability and functionality of the door structure.

Lock Set

A complete assembly that includes various components designed to secure and control the access to a door. It typically consists of a locking mechanism (such as a latch, deadbolt, or both), handles or knobs for operation, a strike plate that receives the latch or bolt, and any necessary hardware like keys or thumb turns. Lock sets come in various styles and configurations to suit different security and aesthetic requirements.

Mortise and Tenon Joint

A traditional woodworking joint where a projecting piece (tenon) from one component is inserted into a corresponding hole (mortise) in another component, creating a strong and secure connection. This joint is widely used in furniture and carpentry to join pieces of wood at right angles, providing stability and resisting lateral forces.

Mull Cover

A term typically used in the context of windows and doors, referring to a decorative or functional element that conceals the joint or seam where two or more window or door units are joined together. Mull covers can enhance the appearance of the joint, provide weather protection, and contribute to the overall aesthetics of the installation.

Mullion

In architecture and construction, a mullion refers to a vertical element that divides or separates sections of a larger opening, such as windows or doors. Mullions provide structural support, divide panels or panes of glass, and can contribute to the overall aesthetic design of a building's facade or interior.

Muntin (also "mullion bar" or "muntin")

A term commonly used in the context of windows or doors with multiple panes of glass. A muntin bar is a horizontal or vertical strip that separates and holds individual glass panes within a single window or door unit. It can serve both functional and decorative purposes, creating a visually divided appearance while providing structural integrity to the overall assembly.

Panel

( see also slab )The central and usually flat or slightly raised surface of a door, which is enclosed within the doors stiles and rails. The door panel is often the most visible and functional part of a door, and it can be made from various materials, including wood, glass, metal, or composite materials.

Prehung

A complete door unit that includes the door panel / slab, the door frame (jamb), hinges, and often a threshold. Prehung doors are preassembled at the factory, making installation easier and more efficient. They are typically sold with the door already mounted on the frame, ready to be installed into a rough opening in a building's wall. This type of door unit is commonly used in construction and renovation projects.

Rail

A rail in doors is a horizontal frame component that runs across the top, bottom, or middle of the door panel. Rails provide structural integrity, support the weight of the door, and often accommodate the installation of locksets or handles.

Raised Panel

A type of decorative design element commonly used in doors and cabinetry. A raised panel consists of a central area that is elevated or raised above the surrounding frame, creating a three-dimensional effect. This raised portion can feature intricate detailing, carving, or molding, adding visual interest and depth to the surface. Raised panels are often found in traditional and classic architectural styles.

Rough Opening

In the context of doors, a rough opening refers to the framed and unfinished opening within a wall or structure where a door is intended to be installed. It is typically larger than the actual door unit to allow for adjustments and proper fitting during installation. The rough opening provides the necessary space for the door frame and any necessary adjustments, insulation, shimming, and finishing materials.

Sidelite

A door sidelite, commonly referred to as a "sidelight," is a narrow, vertical window or glass panel that is positioned alongside a door, often within the same frame. Sidelites are used to enhance the appearance of the entryway, provide additional natural light to the interior, and offer a view of the surroundings. They can be decorative, functional, or both, and they come in various sizes and designs to complement the overall aesthetics of the door and the surrounding architecture.

Slab

Refers to a standalone door without any additional components such as frames, jambs, or operational parts. It is the door itself, detached from any accompanying elements required for its functionality.

Stile

The stile refers to the vertical frame component that runs along the sides of the door panel. It provides structural support and contributes to the overall stability of the door. Stiles are essential for attaching hinges and other hardware.

Strike Plates

Metal plates attached to the door frame or astragal that receive and secure the door latch or lock when the door is closed. These may also be use to receive securing pins from flushbolts.

Tempered Glass

Type of safety glass that undergoes a rapid heating and cooling process to increase its strength. This process creates surface compression and inner tension, giving tempered glass its unique breakage pattern of small, harmless fragments.

Threshold / Sill

A horizontal component located at the bottom of the door frame, providing a transition between the interior and exterior floor surfaces and helping to prevent air, water, and debris infiltration.

Transom

Refers to a horizontal crossbar or window that is positioned above a door or a larger window. Transom windows are commonly found in various architectural styles, including traditional, Victorian, and Colonial.

True Divided Lite

(TDL) is a term used in architecture and window design to describe a specific type of window construction where the individual panes of glass are divided by physical muntin bars or grilles, creating separate small glass sections within a single window frame. Each section of glass is a distinct piece, held in place by the muntin bars.

Weather-stripping

Sealing material installed around the perimeter of the door slab to improve energy efficiency and weather resistance by sealing gaps between the door

White Laminated Glass

a.k.a Lami Glass is a type of safety glass that consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with a layer of white interlayer material, typically made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) resin.

Wood Veneer

A thin layer of real wood that is sliced, peeled, or sawn from a larger piece of timber and used to cover the surfaces of furniture, cabinetry, doors, and other objects.