Door Terms

 

Astragal

A moulding attached to one or both meeting stiles of a pair of double doors in order to prevent drafts

Brick Mould

Milled trim piece designed to fill the gap between the finished milled door frame and irregular surrounding surfaces such as masonry.

Divided Lite

A single pane of glass divided by grilles or multiple panes of divided glass in a door.

Grid

Plastic, wooden or metal assembly placed in or on the exterior of a thermal unit that gives the appearance of divided lites.

Hinges

The metal objects that attach your door to the jamb and allow it to swing open and closed.

In-swing and Out-swing

The term used to describe the direction of the door swing, either to the inside or to the outside.

Jamb

The wood frame that surrounds the door. The hinges are attached to it on one side and the latch goes into it on the other side of a single door.

Left Hinge and Right Hinge

Used to describe which way the door is hung on the jamb.

Mulled

Two or more pre-attached units such as a door and sidelite.

Panel

A solid surface within a surrounding frame

Plumb

Perfectly vertical; at right angles to horizontal

Pre-Hung Door Unit

A door fully prepared to be placed in a rough opening. It is complete with hinges in place and is attached to its jambs.

Rail

Horizontal pieces located on the top bottom and sometimes centre portion of a door panel

Reveal

The opening between the door and side of the jamb. The reveal should be consistent on top and sides to ensure smooth operation.

Rough Opening

A jamb and casing free opening in the wall for the door

Shims

A thin often tapered piece of material (as wood, metal, or stone) used to fill in space between things (as for support, leveling, or adjustment of fit)

Sidelites

Fixed vertical panels on either side of a door

Sill

The material placed underneath the door, also referred to as the threshold of a door

Slab

Just the door itself free of associated framing. Available in various sizes to fit into finished openings.

Square

Description of a true right angle

Stile

The two vertical members located on the outer edges of a panel door.

Sub Sill

The floor on which the door rests.

Tempered glass

Tempered glass is heat strengthened, extremely strong and often used where security or safety is an issue. When it breaks, it comes apart into little pebble-like pieces without sharp edges. Tempered glass is ideal for applications like doors, patio doors, side lights, and bathroom enclosures for showers and tubs.

Threshold

The material placed underneath the door, also referred to as the sill of a door

Transom

A fixed window unit located above a door