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Glossary of Door Terms
Astragal: A T-shaped Molded strip that is applied to the stile of the inactive door in a double door set. Its function is to receive the active door and form a weather seal. Flush bolts are secured within this astragal top and bottom.
Base Block: Fits at both sides of a jam to receive the case molding on one side. Traditionally used as decorative detail to which you can butt a larger base molding.
Brick Mold: A trim applied to the exterior edge of the frame and fascia concealing the shim space.
Casing: Trim which covers the joint between windows or door jambs and the surrounding wall surface.
Cripples: Short studs above or below a rough opening to a window or door; they support the rough sill and header.
Divided Lites: Door panes separated by muntins.
Dowell Joint: The use of cylinder shaped pieces of wood to secure the stile and the rail together.
Elliptical Transom: A stationary window above doors which is half oval shaped.
Frame: Parts that enclose the door. They are attached to the wood members lining the rough opening. Also referred to as jambs. Usage: Vertical frame members are called "side jambs," the top horizontal piece is the "head jamb" and the bottom horizontal piece is the "threshold."
Fully Bound: Usually refers to sidelites that have their own jamb system, independent of the door jamb.
Glass Stop: A strip of wood that retains glass within its sash.
Glazing: Glass or other transparent materials used for windows; also the act of installing the glass.
Head Jamb: The top, horizontal member of a window or door frame.
Header: The horizontal wood member that forms the top of the rough opening for a window or door; it supports the wall above it.
Lamination: The gluing together of two or more pieces of wood to form a single component (i.e. Laminated stile, 5 pieces glued together for stability warp resistance.).
Lite: A unit of glass in a window or door; it is enclosed by the sash or by muntins; also called pane.
Mortise and Tenon Joint: Rail ends are trimmed (tenoned) in a fashion to be received by the mortised (grooved or boxed) stile.
Mullion: The vertical joint between door and sidelites.
Mullion Cover: A strip of wood applied to the joint between the door jamb and the transom jamb.
Muntin: T-shaped parts secured within stiles and rails that hold panes of glass.
Plinth: A usually square block that forms the corner between side and head casing. It is often carved or turned. Also referred to as corner block.
Pre-assembled Unit: All components of the entry, including doors and sidelites, are precisely sized and assembled at the factory to allow for maximum ease of installation.
Pre-Hang: The pre-assembling of doors within an assembled jamb framework for convenience of jobsite installation.
Radius Transom: A stationary window above doors with a head member that forms a radius, but not a complete half round. This transom requires "legs" on either side.
Rail: Horizontal member of a window or door. (Top rail, lock rail, and bottom rail.)
Reveal: The margin visible between the door jamb and case molding, typically 1/4".
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."
Round Top Door: Forms a complete half circle radius of both door and jamb.
Round Top Transom: A stationary window above the door that is shaped in a half circle.
Sash: The framework holding the glass in a window or door.
Shims: Wedge shaped pieces of wood used between frame and rough opening to adjust and stabilize a door or window system.
Stile: The vertical member of a window or door.
Stop: Trim which prevents a door from moving inside the jamb. It is applied to one side of an interior door frame and the interior side of a transom and sidelite jambs.
Transom: A window directly above a door or another window.
Weatherstrip: A strip of material that covers the contact point between the door and the door jamb. It is designed to prevent water and air leakage.
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