A door consists of three main categories: the door slab (the panel itself), the door frame, and the hardware. Understanding these components is helpful for DIY repairs, choosing hardware, or talking to a contractor.
The top of a door frame is called the head or head jamb. If you are referring to the swinging door itself, the very top horizontal edge is known as the top rail. For exterior masonry structures, the structural beam spanning the opening above is the lintel.
Panel. A door panel, sometimes called a slab, refers to the whole part of the door that swings back and forth.
The decorative trim or molding installed around a door frame to hide the gap between the wall and the inner frame is called door casing.
A door is primarily divided into two main sections: the door panel (the swinging slab) and the door frame (the surrounding structure). Together, they incorporate hardware, trim, and structural components to ensure security, privacy, and insulation.
Understanding door terminology is much easier when you break it down into three main categories: the Frame, the Door Panel (Slab), and the Hardware.
Door hardware consists of several interconnected pieces. The most common components include the handle/knob, the latch that secures the door, the spindle connecting the knobs, the escutcheon/rose plate, the strike plate, and the lock cylinder.
The main parts of a door frame are the jambs (side jambs and head jamb), the mullion, the sill, and the threshold.
The area around a door is most commonly called the doorway. Depending on the specific part of the surrounding structure you are referring to, the exact terminology varies:
The decorative, flat, or molded trim that surrounds the interior of a door is called casing.
The vertical edge of a door slab itself is called a stile. Depending on where it is located on the door, it is more specifically referred to as either the lock stile (the edge that holds the latch or lock) or the hinge stile (the edge where the door is attached to the frame).
Door accessories
Door trim, also known as door casing, is the finished molding installed around a door frame. The rounded profile shown in the video is commonly referred to as “clamshell” casing — a popular trim style used in many residential homes. #details #generalcontractor #howto #tampabay.
Transom windows placed over doors share light between adjoining areas. A transom window above an exterior door shares sunlight into a hall or foyer. Transoms above interior doors shine light from windows into adjacent spaces even if the door is closed.
A door stile is one of the main vertical pieces that makes up the outer framework of a door.
The bottom of an exterior door system generally consists of three parts: the sill (the structural bottom frame), the threshold (the protective, sloped cap over the sill), and the door sweep (the seal attached to the moving door).
Understanding door terminology is much easier when you break it down into three main categories: the Frame, the Door Panel (Slab), and the Hardware.
The two pieces of trim that go on either side of your door are known as “pilasters,” while the top piece is called a “lintel.” Sometimes, the entire unit may be referred to as the door casing, with the top piece, otherwise known as the “header.”
Depending on which part of the door you are referring to, the bottom is most commonly called the door sweep, the bottom rail, the sill, or the threshold.
The door frame is the most important part of a door, as it holds the door unit in place and ensures its functionality and insulation. If the door frame is not sturdy enough or installed incorrectly, the door panels will be prone to misalignment and sagging, which compromises both function and security.
A door stop on a door frame is a thin strip of molding attached to the inside of the door jamb along the top and two vertical sides. It provides a resting place for the closed door, prevents it from swinging through the frame, and helps block light and drafts for better privacy and insulation.
Types of Doors
Spindle – The spindle is located in the square holes found at the back of a set of handles or knobs. It passes through the 'follower', also known as a spindle hole, on a tubular latch or mortice lock. When a handle is used, or a knob is turned, its spindle rotates to operate the latch inside the door.
The metal plate mounted on the door frame that the door latch slides into is called a strike plate.
A door sill is the horizontal structural piece at the bottom of a door frame that sits directly on the floor or foundation. It provides a sturdy base for the doorway, supports the door frame, and serves as a primary barrier to keep wind, rain, and pests from entering your home.