Making an Entrance: Finding the Perfect Entry Door

When it comes to choosing the right entry door for your home, understanding the terminology can make all the difference. Entry doors serve as more than just a passage; they are the gateway to your living space, impacting both security and aesthetics. Whether you’re diving into a renovation or selecting a new door for construction, familiarizing yourself with entry door key terms and definitions can help you make informed decisions. From understanding the various types of materials and styles to grasping essential features like insulation and security ratings, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to choose the perfect entry door for your needs.

Adjustable Threshold: A threshold that can be raised or lowered to ensure a proper seal between the door and the floor.

Astragal: A vertical strip that is attached to one of a pair of double doors to seal the gap between them.

Backset: The distance from the edge of the door to the center of the door knob or lock.

Ball Bearing Hinge: A type of hinge with ball bearings between the hinge knuckles, providing smoother operation and increased durability.

Barn Door: A sliding door that hangs from a track, often used for a rustic or modern look.

Beveled Glass: Glass that has been cut at an angle to create a decorative edge.

Bottom Rail: The bottom horizontal part of a door.

Brickmold: A type of exterior trim that covers the gap between the door frame and the exterior wall.

Butt Hinge: A common hinge with two rectangular leaves joined by a pin.

Cam Lock: A locking mechanism that uses a rotating cam to secure the door.

Casing: The trim around a door or window that covers the gap between the frame and the wall.

Clavos: Decorative metal studs used to enhance the appearance of doors, often seen in rustic or Mediterranean designs.

Core: The inner material of a door, which can be solid wood, particleboard, or other materials.

Deadbolt: A lock that extends a bolt into the door frame for added security.

Door Closer: A device that automatically closes a door after it is opened.

Door Frame: The structure that surrounds and supports the door, consisting of the head, jambs, and sill.

Door Knob: A round handle used to open and close a door.

Door Sweep: A strip attached to the bottom of a door to seal the gap between the door and the threshold.

Double Cylinder Deadbolt: A deadbolt that requires a key to operate from both the inside and the outside.

Dummy Handle: A handle that is fixed and does not turn, often used on the inactive leaf of a double door.

Electronic Lock: A lock that uses an electronic mechanism, such as a keypad or biometric sensor, for operation.

Escutcheon: A decorative plate that surrounds a door knob or lock.

Exterior Door: A door that leads to the outside of a building.

Fanlight: A semicircular or arched window above a door.

Fiberglass Door: A door made from fiberglass, known for its durability and resistance to weather.

Flush Bolt: A bolt that is installed flush with the surface of the door, used to secure double doors.

Frame: The structure that supports the door, consisting of the head, jambs, and sill.

French Door: A door with glass panes that extend for most of its length, often used inpairs.

Glazing: The glass or plastic panes in a door or window.

Handing: The way a door swings, determined by the hinge placement and the direction the door opens.

Hinged Door: A door that swings open on hinges.

Inswing Door: A door that opens inward.

Jamb: The vertical sides of a door frame.

Kick Plate: A protective plate installed at the bottom of a door to prevent damage from foot traffic.

Knob Latch: A latch mechanism operated by turning a knob.

Latch: A device that holds a door closed.

Latch Bolt: The part of the latch that extends into the door frame to hold the door closed.

Left-Hand Door: A door with hinges on the left side when viewed from the outside.

Lite: A pane of glass in a door.

Lockset: The complete locking mechanism, including the lock, handles, and other hardware.

Low-E Glass: Glass with a coating that reduces heat transfer, improving energyefficiency.

Mullion: A vertical or horizontal bar that separates and supports panes of glass in a dooror window.

Multi-Point Locking System: A locking system that secures a door at multiple points along the frame.

Muntin: A bar that separates and holds panes of glass in a door or window.

Outswing Door: A door that opens outward.

Panel: The flat or raised sections of a door.

Peephole: A small, clear opening in a door that allows someone to see outside without opening the door.

Pivot Hinge: A hinge that allows a door to rotate on a central pivot point, rather than swinging on edge-mounted hinges.

Pre-Hung Door: A door that is already mounted in a frame, ready to be installed.

Pull Handle: A handle used to pull a door open.

Rail: The horizontal parts of a door frame.

Reeded Glass: Glass with a textured surface, providing privacy while allowing light to pass through.

Right-Hand Door: A door with hinges on the right side when viewed from the outside.

Rim Lock: A surface-mounted lock typically used on older or rustic doors.

Roller Catch: A latch mechanism that uses a spring-loaded roller to hold the door closed.

Sash: The frame that holds the glass in a door or window.

Screen Door: A door with a screen to allow ventilation while keeping insects out.

Security Door: A reinforced door designed to provide additional security.

Side Lite: A narrow window located next to a door.

Sidelight: A narrow vertical window placed beside a door.

Sill: The bottom part of a door frame that sits on the floor.

Sliding Door: A door that opens horizontally by sliding along a track.

Solid Core Door: A door with a solid interior, providing better insulation and sound proofing.

Spacer: A material used to separate panes of glass in a door or window.

Stained Glass: Glass that has been colored or textured for decorative effect.

Stile: The vertical parts of a door frame.

Storm Door: An additional door installed outside an exterior door for added protection against weather.

Strike Plate: The metal plate attached to the door frame that the latch bolt extends into to hold the door closed.

Sweep: Another term for door sweep, a strip attached to the bottom of a door to seal the gap between the door and the threshold.

Tempered Glass: Glass that has been heat-treated to be stronger and more resistant to breakage.

Threshold: The bottom part of a door frame that sits on the floor and provides a transition between the interior and exterior.

Transom: A horizontal window above a door.

Transom Window: A window above a door, often used to allow additional light into a room.

Triple Glazing: Three layers of glass with air or gas-filled spaces between, providing superior insulation.

Ventilation Panel: A section of a door that can be opened to allow airflow.

Vision Lite: A small window in a door.

Weatherstripping: Material used to seal the gaps around a door to prevent drafts and improve energy efficiency.

Wood Door: A door made from natural wood, offering a traditional and attractive appearance.