Doors can be an important part of your home’s architecture and design. So, if you’re thinking about replacing your old door or installing a new one, you should have some basic understanding of its components to help you decide. In this post, we’ll break down the anatomy of a door and discuss some of its key parts to give you a better understanding, so that when you’re ready to talk with a professional you can choose the right door for your home.
Door frame
A door frame supports the door and is made up of three components, head jambs, side jambs, and mulls. Residential door frames are mostly made from wood but can also be made of other materials such as fiberglass, aluminum, or composite material. Door frames can be ordered in a wide range of colors with a factory finish or purchased ready to paint.
Head jamb
A head jamb is the top horizontal section of a door or window frame.
Mullion
Also referred to as a mull, are two units joined together. The seam between the frames of the units is the mull. An example is a door jamb joined with a window/sidelight jamb.
Sill
Sills are the bottom component of the frame, that is sealed flat against the floor.
Threshold
A threshold is a protective cap that covers the entry door sill. It is typically slightly sloped toward the outside to help keep out wind and water.
Glazing
Glazing is the glass in a door or window. The glazing in newer exterior doors is typically made up of at least two panes of glass for extra insulation.
Sidelights
Sidelights are tall narrow windows installed on the sides of a door. They allow natural light into entryways and create a welcoming entryway.
Casing
A window and door casing are a trim designed to hide the gaps between a window or door frame and the wall to give it a decorative element.
Brickmould
Brickmould is a casing trim applied to the exterior to conceal the gap between a window or door frame and the exterior wall.
Weather-stripping
On exterior doors, weather-stripping is a flexible material like rubber, silicone, or foam that helps seal the gaps and protect your home from water, wind, and bugs.
Door sweep
The weather-stripping on the bottom of a door panel and a door sweep creates a weather-resistant barrier to keep out the elements.h
Astragal
On double door designs, an astragal is a vertical piece that covers the seam between the door panels and is fitted with weather-stripping.
Transom
A transom is a fixed glass window installed above a door or window to let in natural light.
Grilles
Grilles are decorative bars that create the look of divided lites but are removable for glass cleaning. Grilles-Between-the-Glass (GBG) is located between panes of insulated glass for design and low maintenance.
Door Panel
A door panel is the whole part of the door that swings open and close.
Rail
Rails are the horizontal segments on a door panel and can be used to divide your door into sections.
Stile
A stile is the narrow vertical segment located on either side of a door panel. One is called the lock stile and the other a hinge stile.
Hinge
The hinge is a piece of hardware that allows the door to swing open and closed. There are several types of hinges. Standard-sized doors have three hinges, and the finish typically matches the finish of the locks.
Lockset
The lockset includes the handles, latches, locks, strike plates, and any other hardware used to lock the door in place to increase your home’s security.
Handle
A door handle is the component of a door that is used to unlatch the door panel and open or close it.
Latch
A door latch is a shaft that extends from the side of a door panel and into the door frame securing it in place. The latch retracts when the handle is turned allowing the door to open.
Deadbolt
A deadbolt is a shaft that extends from the edge of the door panel into the door frame to secure it. Deadbolts are separate mechanisms from the lock inside a door panel and are considered an extra layer of security for homes.
Mortise plates
Mortise plates are located on the jamb of a door and add strength to latches, deadbolts, and door panels to help prevent forced entry.
Strike plates
Strike plates are also located on the door jamb to add strength to door frames which helps prevent unwanted, forced entry.
Door glass is an important component of any door. It helps keep the elements out and can add security to your home or office. If you need glass replacement for your doors or windows, call the experts at Complete Window Care today for a free estimate. We would be happy to help you get the right glass replacement for your needs.