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Are you buying a new door or is there a door in your home that needs repairing? You may benefit from this glossary of door parts.
July 13, 2022
If you are starting a door replacement or a new construction project and are overwhelmed with all the technical terms, you have come to the right place. This post describes all the parts of a door so you understand the terminology and how all the parts and parts come together. When you understand the basic parts of a gate, it's easier to talk to contractors and distributors to choose the right gate for your project.
door frame
Side posts, main posts and mulls are the parts that make up the frame. Front door frames are usually made ofMadeirabut it can also be done fromAluminium,glass fiber, or a composite material. Door frames can be primed (ready to paint) or ordered from the factory in a variety of colors.
shut your head
The top horizontal section of a door or window frame is called the main frame.
Door jamb against door frame
A door frame is a single section of a door frame. Two side frames make up the vertical components of the door frame, and the main frame is the top horizontal frame. Together the jambs (along with the jamb) form the door frame.
post (garbage)
When two individual windows or a door and window are joined together, the connection between the frames of the two units is called a mull, which is short for mullion. In this case, a door frame was connected to a window frame/side panel. The seam is usually covered with a decorative piece called box gauze (see further definition below).
Figure 1. Shows the door parts including: main jamb, side jamb, trim, gauze, sill, side light and glass.
threshold
Sills are the lower component of a door frame. They are the part of the door that is sealed and attached to the floor. Only the outer doors (the ones tooutsideorGarages) have thresholds.Learn how to prepare a floor for a door.
Border
A cap is the protective covering that covers the sill. It is usually angled outwards to help drain water. Rocker panels are made from durable materials such as metal or fiberglass because they need to be strong enough to withstand foot traffic.
glasses
Glazing is just another word for glass in a door or window. The glazing on newer exterior doors like this one consists of at least two layers of glass, sometimes three. Inert gas, usually argon, is injected between layers of glass to provide additional insulation. Virtually invisible coatings are applied to glass to control the amount of light and heat transmitted through or reflected from a pane of glass. Glazing can be enhanced with paints and laminations to increase privacy, provide decorative options, and increase strength.Learn more about glasses.
side lights
Sidelights are tall, narrow windows located on one or both sides of a door. Sidelights allow more light into entrances, improve visibility and can create a more welcoming entrance experience.Learn more about sidelights and when to install one..
Glaze
window and doorHousingMoldings serve to hide gaps between a window or door frame and the interior wall surface.
Figure 2. Shows brick shaping and stripping
brick shape
Brick moldings are exterior trims designed to hide the gap between a window or door frame and the exterior wall surface. Brick moldings are thicker than most interior trim profiles and provide a buffer between the window/door and the surrounding brick or other trim.brick shapeIt can be made of wood, aluminium, PVC, fiberglass or composite materials and is the part of the door to which a screen door or screen door is attached.
pickling
For exterior doors, caulking helps seal gaps between the door frame and a closed door panel. The caulk is typically made from a resilient, flexible material such as silicone, rubber, or foam.
NOT SHOWN
Port-Scan
Attached to the underside of a door panel, a door striker creates a weather resistant barrier between a door panel and the sill.
Astragal
In a two-door exterior arrangement such as the above, an astragalus covers the seam between the two door panels and is caulked to keep wind and water from entering the house.
transom
A stern is a narrow window located above a door or window. Most mullioned windows don't work, but when they do they are usually hinged at the top like a awning window.energy efficient, rungs have been largely replaced byBarras SDLlying on the glass surface.
NOT SHOWN
the grill
The grilles are bars that create the effect of divided litter, but are removable to make cleaning the windows easier. Grids between the glasses (GBG) are also available. As the name suggests, GBGs are rods permanently installed between the glass for easy cleaning and low maintenance.
small bars
By the mid-19th century, large panes of glass were fragile and expensive to produce, muntin bars were joined together to create large areas of glass from smaller individual panes (not shown).
Figure 3. Shows stern, SDL and astragalus beams
Figure 4. Shows Head Rail, Panel, Latch Bracket, Hole, Post, Bottom Rail, Slat Stop, Hinge Type, Center Rail, Hinge
Table
A door leaf, sometimes called a panel, refers to the entire portion of the door that opens forwards and backwards. Complete door panels are often divided into smaller panels that are placed between pillars, rails and jambs.
rail
The narrow horizontal segments in a door leaf are called rails. This door has a top, bottom and middle track.
Style
A style is the narrow vertical segment found on either side of a door panel. One is called the keyhole style and the other is called the hinge style.
Crowd
An amount is similar to a style. It is the vertical component that separates two panels located in the center of the door between the rails.
stop shaping
Door jamb molding is attached to a door frame. It aligns the door leaf within the frame and prevents the leaf from swinging through the opening.
Hinge
This is the piece of hardware that allows the door to open and close. Standard sized doors have three hinges, but larger doors have four or more. The color or style of the hinges usually matches the style of the lock.
Artesian well
A hole is drilled in a door to accommodate a lock.
door lock
Lockset refers to the handles, latches, deadbolts, buttresses, and all other hardware components that allow a door to be latched and latched. Locksets are also referred to as handlesets or hardware.
Deal with
A handle, handle, or lever is the door hardware component used to unlock the door panel and open or push to close. There are many styles and finishes to choose from. There are three types of doorknobs:
input handles
are operated with a lock cylinder on the outside of the door and a locking button on the inside.
bed/bath handles
It has a push or spin lock button on the inside but not on the other side.
pass holds
They don't have a locking mechanism.
Robust
A door latch is a shank that extends from the edge of a door panel into the door frame and locks the panel in place. When the handle is turned, the latch retracts, allowing the door to be opened.
dead shop
Similar to a latch, a latch is a shank that extends from the edge of the door panel into the door frame, locking the panel in place. Interior interior doors are not fitted with locks, and not all exterior doors are fitted with locks. Locks are considered an additional form of security and are most often separate from the handle assembly, meaning a door with a lock will require an additional hole. Multi-point locking systems offer even more protection than a latch and latch combination, and it's newhome automationsystems are in place.
twist your thumb
A lock is operated by turning a thumb on the inside of a house and by a key cylinder on the outside.
docking plates
These boards increase the strength of latches, latches and the door panel, preventing forced entry.
strike sign
Reinforcement panels add strength to door frames, preventing forced entry.
Sign
Rosettes are decorative plaques found around doorknobs, knobs, and key cylinders. They are designed to protect the surface of door panels from nicks and scratches.
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FAQs
What is the anatomy of a door? ›
There are three main aspects of a door's anatomy: the door slab itself, the components that make a door unit, and add-ons.
What is the most important part of a door? ›Hinges: Hinges are quite an important part of a door. It secures the door to the frame. Also, it enables a swinging motion.
What are the names of the parts of a door frame? ›Door frame
Side jambs, head jambs, and mulls are the parts that make up the frame. Residential door frames are most often made of wood but can also be made of aluminum, fiberglass, or a composite material.
A door's essential and primary purpose is to provide security by controlling access to the doorway (portal). Conventionally, it is a panel that fits into the doorway of a building, room, or vehicle. Doors are generally made of a material suited to the door's task.
What is the base of a door called? ›The door sill is the very bottom part of the door frame that rests on the floor.
What is door frame called? ›The frame (sometimes called a jamb) is made up of three separate pieces and surrounds the door creating a "frame" in which the door can sit. The two vertical frames are called side jambs, and the horizontal frame is referred to as the head jamb. Frames are made up of composite material or solid wood.
What is the importance of door knob? ›Turning the knob pulls the cylinder in the direction of the turn. The end of the cylinder is a latch that protrudes into a space that is carved out of the doorframe and prevents the door from being opened if the knob is not turned.
What is the wood part of a door called? ›CASING: The wooden framework that sits over the edge of the door frame. This is what architraves will be fitted around. Also known as door lining.
What are the parts of a door lock? ›The main parts of a door lock are the cylinder, bolt, box and strike plate. It's useful for any DIY-er to know how things around the home operate. Understanding the different parts that work together to make a door handle and lock work, can help you fix minor problems on your own.
What are the parts of a door hinge? ›Most hinges consist of three basic parts: leafs, a knuckle and a pin. Leafs are the rectangular-shaped plates on the sides of a hinge. A knuckle is a cyldrical-shaped tube that's created when the leafs are joined together. A pin is a solid metal rod that's inserted through the knuckle to interlock the leafs.
What is the top part of a door frame called? ›
The Jamb Components
The head jamb is the top of the frame, and it runs horizontally. Also called the "door header," this part can have simple molding or look very straightforward.
In general terms, the difference between a door frame and door lining is that the lining hides the gap between the wall and the door. Whereas, the door frame is attached to the door, holds the door upright, provides support, and allows the door to move on its hinges.
What is horn in door? ›Horn of Door Frame
It is a horizontal projection of the top and bottom member of the frame to enable the fixing of the frame in the wall opening. The length of the horn in door is kept about 10 to 15cm.
- Wooden. Wooden doors are strong, and with a sturdy lock system, they secure your home from burglars and other outside dangers. ...
- Steel. A steel door is considered to be the strongest type of door. ...
- Fiberglass. Lastly, we come to fiberglass doors.
The doors are made of different materials like wood, steel, aluminum, glass, PVC, etc.
What are the two types of doors? ›Types of Doors for Interiors. The single-hinged door is the most common interior type of door. Room design must allow space for hinged doors to swing. Interior doors typically are lightweight and have two hinges; exterior doors are heavy and often use three hinges.
Why do doors have hinges? ›They ensure a smooth opening and closing of the door in one direction and are long-lasting. You can get these hinges in a variety of materials and finishes, such as aluminum, stainless steel, and others.
What's another word for door? ›- doorway.
- gate.
- entrance.
- gateway.
- hatch.
- way.
- hatchway.
1. Doorlight. The term doorlight refers to a door component composed of a glass panel with a frame that is inserted and fastened into a steel, fiberglass, or wood door, sidelight, or transom.
What is the little hole in a door called? ›A peephole, peekhole, spyhole, doorhole, magic eye, magic mirror or door viewer, is a small, round opening through a door from which a viewer on the inside of a dwelling may "peek" to see directly outside the door.
What is a door leaf? ›
Door leaf: The part of a door that swings open and shut.
What is a door beam called? ›A lintel or lintol is a type of beam (a horizontal structural element) that spans openings such as portals, doors, windows and fireplaces. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented structural item.
What is the wall above a door called? ›Door jamb
The word “jamb” comes from the French word jambe, which means “leg” – and door jambs are sometimes also called the “legs”. One source of confusion is the part of the frame above the door, which is sometimes erroneously referred to as the “top jamb”.
Door latches are a type of mechanical hardware used to fasten doors and keep them shut. A door latch uses a fastener attached to two ordinarily separated surfaces, most often the door and the frame, to prevent the door from swinging while still allowing normal operation when the latch is released.
What is a door knob made of? ›While brass remains the most common type of metal used for door knobs, stainless steel and plastic have grown increasingly popular (and cheaper) as a material choice—and that may be bad news for cutting back on the spread of germs.
Which of the following is used in door handle? ›Type 4 Mild steel, brass or aluminium alloy.
What is a two part door called? ›Double Acting Door: A door that can be opened from either side, pushing or pulling. It is sometimes called a double-sided door or a Dutch door.
What is a door face? ›noun. 1. or less commonly door facing : doorcase. : a papier-mâché mask for masqueraders.
What is the part of the door that keeps it shut called? ›Hinges hold the door securely to the door jamb and allow it to swing open and close.
What are the 7 types of locks? ›There are plenty of other door locks, and many fall within the seven categories of knob locks, deadbolt locks, cam locks, padlocks, mortise locks, smart locks and keypad locks.
What are the 4 types of lock? ›
Although there are many types of locks, the four most common are padlocks, deadbolts, knob locks, and levers.
How many parts are in a door knob? ›Most doorknobs consist of 6 main components. Let's cover the anatomy of a door lock and its terminology in detail.
Which is part of a door assembly? ›For the purposes of this Chapter, a door assembly shall consist of the following parts: the door; hinges; locking device or devices; operation contacts (such as handles, knobs, and push plates); miscellaneous hardware and closures; and the frame, including the head, threshold, and jambs, plus the anchorage devices to ...
Why are there 3 hinges on a door? ›Some doors weigh more than others. A door with a solid core, for instance, will weigh more than a hollow door of the same size. To prevent them from sagging, heavy doors such as this may require three hinges. Installing a door will three hinges rather than two hinges will reduce the risk of it sagging.
What are the hinges on a door called? ›The most common type of hinge used on doors is the butt hinge. It's so named because the two leaves are mortised into the door and frame, allowing the two to butt up to each other. There are three different types of butt hinges: plain, ball bearing, and spring-loaded.
What is a sill on a door? ›The Anatomy of a Door Sill
A sill is a door component located at the bottom of your exterior door frame. Think of a sill as a gateway which helps prevent water and air from entering your home. The main parts of a sill typically include a sill deck, a sill cap, and the substrate.
Mullions are the dividing bars that separate glass panes in a door, much like those found in window panes. For many years, mullioned glass cabinet doors were the most popular choice among homeowners, mostly because there weren't that many styles of glass-front cabinet doors available.
What does door Jack mean? ›door jack in American English
noun. a frame for holding a door while its edge is being planed.
The primary purpose of the door jambs, and the door frame as a whole, is to provide a lasting support for the door. When hung, the door relies on this framing. The door jambs and other components of the frame are installed with care to ensure that the door hangs level to the floor.
What is door shutter? ›It is the openable part of the door. They are an assembly of styles, panel and rail. It is used to open or close the way to go inside or outside of a house or rooms. Door shutters provide light, air and ventilation to the rooms or house.
What is the mechanism of a door? ›
A latch mechanism is the cylinder that is driven through the edge of the door. This is often also called a tubular latch mechanism. The mechanism has a spring loaded latch that retracts to open the door and upon release of the door knob or lever, protrudes to keep the door closed.
What are the parts of a wooden door called? ›- ARCHITRAVE: An architrave is the piece of wood that goes around the door frame to cover the gap between the wall and the door frame. ...
- BEADING: ...
- CASING: ...
- DOOR FRAMES: ...
- DOOR LINING: ...
- JAMB: ...
- DOOR SILL: ...
- The image to the right shows a door sill, or weathering bar, attached to an external door.
The door frame is what connects your door to the walls of your home. The frame consists of a head jamb or simply a head, which is the uppermost horizontal part of the frame.
What is Anatomy of window? ›The framework consists of a head, jambs, and a sill. The head is the main horizontal piece that makes up the top of the window frame. The jambs are the vertical side pieces that make up the left and right portions of the frame. The sill is the horizontal piece that makes up the bottom part of the frame.
What is the door hole called? ›A peephole is a small hole in a door or wall through which you can look secretly at what is happening on the other side. The guards checked at the peephole before entering.
What is pivot in door? ›Pivot doors literally hinge from the bottom and top of a door instead of on the side. They are popular due to the design element of how they open. In the past, pivot hinges were used for bigger doors, but now, we can make doors up to 1500mm wide on specially designed 3D heavy duty hinges too.
What forces are acting on a door? ›Opening a door requires our hand to apply force by pushing and pulling which is a contact force. There is some frictional force in the door hinge, against that we apply force. The hinge friction is again a contact force. Was this answer helpful?
What is the thing in front of a door called? ›Jamb Components
The frame (sometimes called a jamb) is made up of three separate pieces and surrounds the door creating a "frame" in which the door can sit. The two vertical frames are called side jambs, and the horizontal frame is referred to as the head jamb. Frames are made up of composite material or solid wood.
A door closer is defined as any mechanical device that closes a door in a controlled manner, preventing it from slamming, in general after someone opens it, or after it was automatically opened.
What is window answer in short answer? ›What is a window? A window is a separate viewing area on a computer display screen in a system that allows multiple viewing areas as part of a graphical user interface ( GUI ). Windows are managed by a windows manager as part of a windowing system . A window can usually be resized by the user.
What are the 3 buttons on a window? ›
In addition, the Title Bar has the three buttons familiar to Windows ® users: Minimize, Maximize, and Close.
What are the 3 parts of main window? ›It is comprised of the head, jamb and sill. The head is the main horizontal part forming the top of the window frame. Jambs are the main vertical parts forming the sides of a window frame. A sill is the main horizontal part forming the bottom of the frame of a window.