Here are some commonly used terms that you might find helpful.
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.
Backset: The distance from the edge of the door to the center of the lock bore hole.
Bored Lock: A bored cylindrical lock is one in which two holes are bored, perpendicular to one another, into the door. A large hole is bored into the door face and a smaller cross bore hole is bored into the door edge, as opposed to a mortise lock prep cut into the edge of the door.
Brickmould: A decorative wood trim which is fastened to the exterior edge of a frame in order to conceal the seam between the door frame and the wall edge.
Casing: Decorative trim around the interior of a window or door.
Dead Bolt: A security lock that requires a key to open from the exterior side of the door.
Door Stop: The part of the frame upon which the door panel rests when closed.
Flushbolt: A bolt that is flush with the face or edge of the door when retracted.
Insulated Glass: When multiple glass panes or “lites” are assembled into units, they are commonly referred to as insulated glass, double glazing, Double Glazed Units (UK and Europe)or Insulating Glass Units (IGU) (North America and Australia).
These units use the thermal and acoustic insulating properties of a gas (or vacuum) contained in the space formed by the unit. They can provide good insulation without sacrificing transparency.
Jamb: The 3 boards that enclose the wall opening for the door (Left Leg, Right Leg and Header). The hinges are set fast to the jambs.
Jamb Depth: A measure of the depth or width of the jamb, perpendicular to the door panel when closed.
Knocked Down: Indicates that the product has been pre-assembled at the factory and then disassembled for shipping purposes.
Lockset: The complete handle set with locking system.
Mortise & Tenon Joint: A type of joint where the end of one of the members is inserted into a hole cut in the other member. The end of the first member is called the tenon, and it is usually narrowed with respect to the rest of the piece. The hole in the second member is called the mortise. The joint may be glued, pinned, or wedged to lock it in place.
Panel: The area on a stile and rail door that is surrounded by the stiles and rails. (Ex. 6 panel door)
Pre-Hung: Doors or combinations of doors and sidelights put together with jambs, hinges, threshold, T-Astragal, and trim to make a total working door system (a unit).
Rabbet: A cut along the jambs that allows the door to fit into.
Rough Opening: Dimensions of the opening in the framework of the home required to install a complete door unit. (Allowing 1/2 in. clearance on top/bottom and each side for stabilization shims)
Rough Opening: An unfinished opening where a window or door will be installed. Usage: Rough openings are lined by wood members; the top one is the “header” and the side ones are the “trimmers.”
Rail: A horizontal bar of wood that connects the vertical bars, called stiles, in a door.
Sidelight: Are the side panels beside a door, typically filled with glass for decoration and to allow light.
Sill: A horizontal beam below the door that supports the frame.
Stiles: The two outer vertical wood pieces of a door panel. The inner stile (i.e., the stile nearest the axis about which the door swings) is called the hinge stile; the outer stile is called the lock stile.
Strike plate: A metal plate or box which is set in a door jamb and is either pierced or recessed to receive the bolt or latch of a lock.
Tempered Glass: A glass that has been processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Tempered glass is made by processes which create balanced internal stresses which give the glass strength. It will usually shatter into small fragments instead of sharp shards when broken, making it less likely to cause severe injury and deep lacerations. Sometimes called “Safety Glass.”
Threshold: The part of the door unit which is attached to the floor under the door.
Transom: A horizontal cross piece window over a door.
Transom: A decorative window directly above a door.
Trim: A strip placed over the face of a door jamb for decorative purposes.
Weatherstripping: The process of sealing openings such as doors and windows from the elements. The goal of weatherstripping is to prevent rain, water and critters from entering by either blocking it out right or by blocking most of it and returning or rerouting it. A secondary goal of weatherstripping is to keep interior air in, thus saving energy with heating and air conditioning.
