Access Door

A door with a four sided frame installed above the finish floor that provides occasional access to a closet, compartment or mechanical space.

Accordion Door

A door with multiple hinged or pivoted sections that collapse against one or both jambs when opened. Track is fastened to a cased opening (C series) no stop header.

Active Leaf

In a pair of doors, the door in which the lock or operating hardware is installed. The inactive leaf is the other door of the pair and is normally held stationary by surface or flush bolts.

ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act)

A standard set of guidelines used to define and enforce the requirements for buildings to make the building easily accessible for people with disabilities. Some considerations are clear path of travel, ease of operation of hardware, specific direction for mounting heights of hardware, grab bars, sinks, and toilets. 

Adjustable Frame

• Non Kerfed – A frame specifically designed to expand in width for various wall thicknesses. Timely’s A Series frame has a single door section and 3 closure sections to fit walls from 3 3/4" to 9 1/8". An adjustable frame can be assembled as a pre-hung unit with door and threshold.
• Kerfed – A frame specifically designed to expand in width for various wall thicknesses formed with a kerf to install kerf applied Q-Lon gasket. Timely’s AK series frame has a single door section and 6 closure sections to fit walls from 4 1/2" to 10 1/2". This type of frame often arrives at the jobsite Pre-hung with jamb, door, hinges and weatherstrip.

American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI)

Organization with responsibility to create and manage standards of design and performance for manufactured products. Fomerly known as ASA (American Standards Association).

Astragal

A piece of steel, aluminum or wood used to cover the gap between two doors hung in pairs at the meeting stile.

• T Astragal – Usually made of steel with one leg between the doors attached to the active door and the other leg overlapping inactive door when closed. Usually applied to the secure side of the door to deter forced entry.
  Flat Astragal – Astragal applied to the surface of one door and extending over the face of the opposite door to cover the gap.
• Z Astragal – Astragal that wraps around the complete edge and face of one door with a leg that extends over the surface of the opposite door.
• Combination Astragal with flush bolts – An astragal (either T or Z type in most cases) that has built in flush bolts and a strike preparation so no additional preparation is required on the inactive door. Since this astragal is thicker than a T or Z astragal, the header width is normally increased to accommodate the thickness of the astragal between the doors.         
• Split Astragal – A two piece astragal, one piece of which is surface mounted on each door and provided with a means of adjustment to abut the other piece and provide a seal.

Backset

For the openings industry, this refers to the position of a piece of hardware in relation to a fixed point, either the edge or face of the door, or the face or stop on a frame.

• Hinge Backset – refers to the measurement from the edge of the hinge leaf to the face of the door closest to the frame stop when the door is closed.
• Lock Backset – refers to the measurement from the latch edge of the door  to the centerline of the cylinder or handle of the lockset or latchset.
• Exit Device Backset – refers to the measurement from the latch edge of  the door to the centerline of the active case of an exit device. The backset of a vertical rod exit device determines the location of the strike.
  preparation on the frame. In some cases, the latch may not line up with the center of the operating hardware shown on the exit device template.                                          
• Flush Bolt Backset – refers to the measurement from the meeting edge of the inactive door to the centerline of the flush bolt. Strike preparation in the header is based on flush bolt backset plus 1/8" from centerline between the two doors of the pair.

Barn Door

A sliding door that moves along a track mounted to the face of a frame or wall. In the open position, the barn door is parallel to the wall and reveals a cased opening in the wall.

Base

Material applied to a wall adjacent to the floor to cover any gap between  the floor material and wall. Also provides a surface to facilitate cleaning and to protect the wall finish material from traffic damage.

Beveled Edge

A door edge that has been cut to create an angle less than 90º perpendicular to the door face. The industry standard for door bevel is 3º, or 1/8" in 2". Door beveling is required to prevent the edge of the door from contacting the frame when operated since the hinge pivot point is offset from the door face resulting in a slight projection of the door edge in operation.          

Bi-fold Door

Two doors connected with hinges that fold together in an opening. One door is pivoted at the jamb and the other door is hung on rollers in an overhead track. The track is mounted behind the stop of the frame toward the inside of the closet. The stop on the frame conceals the track and covers the space on each side. A four door bi-fold is similar except that it is made of two sets of two door bi-folds with each set opening toward the jamb on its side of the frame.

Bi-Pass Door

Two or more doors hung by rollers on an overhead track that slide past each other in an opening. In most cases, the frame is a cased opening frame with no stop. The track is supplied with a fascia to conceal the roller assembly and is fastened to the frame or to the structure at the header.

Blank Jamb

A vertical frame member that has no preparations for hardware in either frame rabbet

Blank Frame Face

For a Timely frame, any frame member that has no preparation for nail holes, oval slots or casing clips on the face of the frame parallel to the wall surface

Borrowed Light

A glazed opening in an interior wall not connected to an operating door.                               

Bull-nose

A piece of casework or trim with exposed corners machined with a radius. Timely TA-8 casing is an example of bull-nose casing.

Cased Opening

An opening in a wall that has been completed by applying jambs, casings, or other molding to create a finished appearance. Since there is no operating door, there is no need for a door stop in a true cased opening. When ordering cased opening Timely frames, order “cased opening” jambs for jambs with no stop. If jambs are required to have stops but are not prepared for operating hardware, order “blank jamb.

Casing

Molding used as a framing around a window, door, sidelight or borrowed light to conceal gaps or fasteners. Casing is sometimes referred to as “trim.”
Channel

A piece of formed metal used as an insert to support and anchor a door frame, borrowed light or sidelight member to the floor, ceiling or wall.

Clearance

Door and Frame – The space between the edge of the door and the frame
Frame and Wall – The space between the rough wall opening and the back of the frame

Closer

A hydraulic/mechanical device used to close a door with no assistance. A closer also provides control of the door while closing including back-check, sweep speed, closing force, latching speed and latching force. A door closer is distinguished from a spring hinge because it offers true door control as opposed to simply closing a door.                                                                         

Cold Rolled

A process used to create the desired thickness on rolls of sheet steel  while the steel is in solid form.

Communicating Door

A door comprised of two doors in one jamb allowing secure control of each door leaf by the occupant on the secure side of each door. If both occupants are in agreement, both doors can be opened to allow free passage between two rooms.

Concealed Closer

A door closer that has the closing mechanism hidden from view by mortising into the top of the door or inside the door frame. The mechanism is not visible when the door is closed.

Concealed Stop/Holder

A stop or hold open mechanism mortised into the door and/or frame used to control the degree of opening of the door. The mechanism is not visible when the door is closed.

Coordinator

A device used to control the order of closing for a pair of doors. The device holds the active door in a position away from the jamb until the active door is closed. Closing the inactive door releases the coordinator allowing the active door to close.

Cope

Cope refers to a process of mimicking the profile of one component in the end of another component to allow a tight fit. Normally used with wood moldings, it is also used by Timely to allow pieces of steel casing with radius edges to intersect at a 90º angle with no gap.                   

Core

The material used inside a door panel to support the outer skin. The door core also may provide insulation, fire protection, temperature rise control, sound control and bullet resistance.

Corner Bracket

A device used in conjunction with a regular arm closer when to allow the closer body to mount to the frame and the shoe mounts to the door. This is required when other hardware, such as overhead stop/holders interfere with normal closer operation.

Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Device (CVR) – (see Exit Device – Mortise Vertical Rod

Cut and Weld

A method of preparing doors and/or frames for mortised hardware application. The basic shape of the hardware is “cut” out of the door or frame and the screw tabs used to hold the hardware in place are “welded” into the door or frame. Also referred to as “Shop Prepped” or in the case of Timely, “Custom Hardware Prep.”

Cylindrical Lock

A lock with working components encased in a cylindrical housing or is installed in a door using a round bore through the face of the door rather than a mortise in the edge of the door. The face bore is either 1 1/2" diameter for cylindrical deadlocks or 2 1/8" diameter for Grade 1, 2, and 3 cylindrical locks.

Deadbolt Lock

A locking mechanism that uses a solid bolt (deadbolt) that is extended into the strike using a key or thumb turn. Deadbolts are usually used for added security or as an auxiliary lock for doors that are normally unlocked during peak hours of building use.                           

Deadlatch

A locking mechanism similar to a deadbolt that has a spring loaded latch with beveled edge similar to a latch bolt in a mortise or cylindrical lock. Deadlatches are operated with a key or thumbturn similar to a deadlock.

Details (Plan Details)

An image showing a cross section of a door and/or frame drawn to scale with critical dimensions

Door

An operable component in an opening that facilitates passage through the opening. A door is installed in a traditional wood, fiberglass or metal frame, a pocket frame, or a cased opening. The frame provides the attachment to the structure and the door hardware provides the
attachment to the frame.

Door Frame

An assembly made of wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass or other material that is fastened to a structure providing a suitable framework for attachment of a door to the structure while also providing hardware preparations and reinforcements for satisfactory operation of a door.

Door Guard

A device installed on the interior of a door that, when engaged, allows the door to be opened slightly allowing the occupant of a room to identify the person outside the room. This apparatus provides security from forced entry but can easily be released to allow entry.

Door Holder

An apparatus installed on the floor or an adjacent wall that holds a door in the open position. Door holders can be mechanical or magnetically operated.

Door Light (Door Light Frame)

A glazed opening appearing in a door panel.

Door Stop

An apparatus installed on the floor or an adjacent wall that stops the swing of a door to avoid damage to the wall, furniture or other items. A door stop may also be equipped with a hold open mechanism (see Door Holder).

Double Acting Door/Frame

A door frame constructed with no stop on the surface to allow a door to swing in both directions. Special hardware is required (Double Acting Hinges, Pivot sets) that provides necessary support for the door when attached to the frame.

Double Acting Spring Hinge

A hinge mounted to a cased opening frame with two hinge barrels allowing the door to swing in both directions. The springs in the hinge barrels return the door to the middle (closed) position when the door is opened.

Double Egress Frame

A pair door frame fabricated with the doors in the center of the frame allowing each door to swing in opposite directions. Double Egress frames are normally  used to control traffic flow and as fire barriers in case of emergency

Double Rabbet Frame

A door frame that has a raised stop in the middle of the frame profile creating a rabbet for installation of a door on one or both sides of the jamb.

Drywall

Engineered sheets of gypsum attached to studs to form the actual wall surface. Drywall may be used as a fire barrier depending on the materials used.

Drywall Frame

A steel door frame that is designed to sleeve over a finished drywall partition allowing it to be installed after the wall is completed.

Dummy Trim

A knob, handle, or lever attached to a door or panel that has no operating mechanism or latching capability.

Dust Box (or Dust Cover)

A box shaped attachment used with a lock strike that mounts behind the frame and protects the latching or deadlocking area from collecting debris.

Dutch Door/Dutch Frame

A Door and Frame combination that contains two door panels separated horizontally to form two separate operable leaves. In some cases, the lower leaf has a shelf attached to accommodate transactions between persons on each side of the door with only the top door section opened.

Edge

The vertical surface of a door perpendicular to the faces.

Edge Guard

A piece of formed metal applied to the edge of a door to protect the edge from impact from carts, gurneys, wheel chairs or other objects.

Electric Hinge

A modification added to a standard hinge allowing the hinge to be used as a means to transfer low voltage power from the wall to an electrically controlled apparatus on a door. An electric hinge can also be equipped with a switch to monitor door position.\

Electric Lock (Electric Exit Device)

A locking mechanism that contains a solenoid used to lock or unlock the door opening allowing controlled access from a remote location.

Electric Strike

A strike for a lockset or exit device that can be operated from a remote location allowing the locking hardware to open without retracting the latching mechanism.                                                  

Electronic Power Transfer (EPT)

A device installed in a frame and door allowing electrical power to be transmitted from the wall to an electrified lock or exit device (see “Electric Hinge”).

Elevation

An image of a door and/or frame appearing in building plans, shop drawings, or manufacturers’ drawings showing what a finished opening will look like. The elevation is usually a scaled drawing with critical dimensions shown.                               

Emboss

A process used in forming material, usually steel,  that uses extreme pressure to modify the base material. The material to be embossed is inserted between die set consisting of two sections that nest together. Pressure of up to 100 tons is applied to cut, stretch and form the emboss to the desired shape.                                    

Emergency Release (Emergency Stop)

A specialized door stop normally used for private bathrooms in nursing or extended care facilities as part of a rescue hardware system. Under normal conditions, a door swings into the bathroom and is single acting except the door is hung on double acting pivot hardware. In case of emergency where the occupant has fallen against the door, the Emergency release is activated allowing the door to swing out of the bathroom and the patient can be easily accessed.

Escutcheon

A decorative plate used behind a lock cylinder, knob, handle or pull. The escutcheon may be used to conceal fasteners or provide lubrication for the knob or lever (see Rose).

Exit Device

A locking device for single or pairs of doors mounted on the surface of the door allowing egress through an opening in case of emergency. The device is operated by a push bar or push pad activated without turning a knob or lever. Four standard types are available:

• Rim – Surface mounted on a single door or active door of a pair with the latching mechanism at the same height as the device and the strike is on the stop of the frame instead of the rabbet
• Rim Vertical Rod – Surface mounted on one or both leaves of a pair of doors with latching mechanism at the head and floor. The strike is mounted on the stop of the frame instead of the rabbet. In some cases, the bottom rod latching mechanism is omitted (LBR- Less Bottom Rod).
• Mortise – mortised into the edge of a single door or active door of a pair using a traditional latch bolt in a strike plate on the frame rabbet.
• Mortise Vertical Rod (CVR) – mortised into the edge of one or both doors of a pair concealing the latching mechanism. The strike is mortised into the frame rabbet at the header.

Exit Device Strike

Rim – Mechanism used to secure the bolt of a rim exit device. Strike is mounted on the stop of the frame.
Mortise – Mechanism used to secure the bolt of a mortise device. Strike is mounted on the rabbet of the frame.

Existing Opening Anchor

A pipe sleeve, cylinder or other spacer located in the back of a hollow metal frame used to secure the frame to an existing opening. This anchor is not usually used for new installations since standard anchors are concealed and the existing opening anchor is normally visible.

Extended Sill

A sill on a full height sidelight or borrowed light that is larger than the standard face dimension. Typically extended sills are 4", 6", 8", 10" or 12" high. Extended sills are used to raise the glass off the floor for cleanliness and ADA compliance.

Extended Sill Piece

For Timely frames, this is the piece of bent 18 ga. material that forms the extended sill. Two extended sill pieces are required for an extended sill sidelight.

Face

The component of a door or frame that is visible when viewing the opening straight ahead.

Filler Plate

A component of metal shaped to fit a hardware cut-out or emboss used to fill the opening when the hardware is not used.

Finish Hardware

Hinges, locks, door closers and other devices used to hang, lock, control and/or protect a door.                                                    

Finished Opening

An opening created in a wall of a structure that is completely finished and requires no additional trim, casing, or frame.

Fire Exit Hardware

See Exit Device. An exit device that is approved for use on fire rated openings.

Fire Label

An object placed on a door or frame that designates the fire rating qualifications of that component. The label defines the certification agency, the manufacturer of the product, size limitations and configuration. The label can be adhesive applied mylar, an embossment, or a riveted on metal label.

Flat Head Machine Screw (FHMS)

Machine threaded screw that seats into a countersink so the head of the screw is flush with the material being held in place. Screw threads are same as threads tapped into a metal object to hold two metal objects together.

Flat Head Screw

A threaded screw that seats into a countersink so the head of the screw is flush with the material being held in place.

Floor Anchor

A formed metal bracket used to anchor a jamb or mullion upright to the floor.

Floor Channel

An open channel applied to the floor used to attach a sidelight or borrowed light frame to the structure at the floor.

Floor Clearance

The measurement between the finish floor level and the bottom of a swinging door. Floor clearance allows the door to swing freely throughout its arc of travel.

Floor Closer

A hydraulic mechanism installed in the floor at the pivot point of a door to control opening and closing of the door.

Flush Door

A door with a flat face having no visible panels or mouldings.

Flush Bolt

A solid bar or rod used to fix the inactive leaf of a pair of doors to the floor and header of the door frame. Four common types are:
Manual – Corner Mounted at the top and bottom of a door with a mortise in the corner edge of the door. A manually operated lever moves the bolt into the frame header.

Manual – Extension: Mortised into the edge of the door at the top and bottom. A manually operated lever moves the bolt through a  drilled hole in the door edge into the frame header.

Automatic – Corner Mounted at the top and bottom of a door with a mortise in the corner edge of the door. A cam operated by the active leaf as it closes moves the bolt into the frame header.

Self Latching Automatic – Corner Mount.

Frame

(See Door Frame)

French Door

A door with multiple panes of glass inside a surrounding framework of door stiles and door rails. 10 light and 15 light doors used in pairs are the most common application for French doors.

Fullbound Frame

A four sided frame prepared for a door commonly used as an access door.

Fusible Link

A soldered piece of metal (usually lead) installed in the operating mechanism of doors or hardware that melts as the temperature increases. When the fusible link melts, the mechanism is free to operate closing the opening as required by fire codes.

Gage

A standardized format used to measure and define the thickness or diameter of certain types of metal. For each gage number designation, a corresponding thickness in inches or millimeters is defined. Some commonly used gages in the door industry are:

14 gage .0747"

16 gage .0598"

18 gage .0478"

20 gage .0359"

22 gage .0299"

Galvanizing

The process of protecting steel by using zinc to reduce the production of rust (FeO2). There are several types of galvanizing processes in common use today.

• Electro Galvanizing – Steel is passed through an alternately charged solution of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) creating a chemical reaction between the molecules of iron and zinc forming a layer that protects the steel from oxidation. This process is similar to a battery using a cathode and an anode.
• Hot Dip Galvanizing – Steel is passed through a bath of molten zinc and where a coating is applied and then rolled onto the surface of the steel.
• Galvannealed – This process is similar to the Hot Dip process except that the material contains some iron in addition to the zinc. The material is heated for a specific amount of time after the galvanizing process. This produces a much harder finish with much better coating adhesion. It is also much easier to weld if necessary.

Gasket

A material placed around the head and sides of an opening to seal the space between a door and frame. The material may be rubber, silicone, PVC, plastic, metal or fiber. The addition of door bottoms, sweeps and thresholds completes the sealing process.

• Smoke Gasket – used to prevent smoke from travelling through an opening allowing building egress in case of fire.
• Weatherstrip – used to prevent water and air from penetrating an opening saving energy costs.
• Sound Seal – used to greatly reduce noise levels from one side of an opening to another. The amount of reduction in noise is measured and rated as the STC (Sound Transmission Coefficient) of an opening.
• Light Seal – used to greatly reduce the amount of light entering a room through the gap between the door and frame.

Glass Area

The overall dimension of a frame that is to receive a piece of glass or ceramic glazing. The actual glass dimension is normally 1/4" less in height and width. The visible light area is the glass area minus the height of the stops used to secure the glass in the opening

Glass Stop

Steel, wood or aluminum strips used to mechanically secure glass in an opening.

Glazed Opening

An opening in a door, frame or wall that contains glass, ceramic or other transparent or translucent material.

Glazing Bead

Material used to form a seal between the glass and the stops on the frame or glass kit in a door.

Glazing Channel

A formed channel, usually used with aluminum extrusions that provides a recessed area to install glass in a sidelight, transom or borrowed light. This type of installation produces a flush glazed appearance with no visible glass stops.

Handing – (See also Swing)

The nature of a door opening defining the direction of swing. Handing is determined by the direction of swing and the secure (locking) side of the opening. For doors swinging away to the left with the locking side on the exposed face, the handing is left hand (LH). For doors swinging away to the right with the locking side on the exposed face, the handing is right hand (RH). If the door swings toward you with the locking hardware on the exposed face and the hinges are on the left, the handing is left hand reverse bevel (LHR). If the door swings toward you with the locking hardware on the exposed face and the hinges are on the right, the handing is right hand reverse bevel (RHR). Since frames are not sensitive to which side is the secure side, they are handed either left hand (LH) or right hand (RH).

Hardware (See Finish Hardware)

Head (Header)

The component of a frame running horizontally at the highest point on the frame. Other horizontal components are transom bars, muntins or sills.

Hinge

An apparatus consisting of two separate leaves joined together used to attach a door to a frame. Numerous types of hinges are used but the most common is the full mortise hinge which mortises into the edge of the door and the rabbet of the frame. Hinges may be made of steel, stainless steel, plated brass, plated bronze or aluminum.

Hinge Emboss

A method of forming a recess in a steel frame which allows a hinge to be installed with its surface in the same plane as the surface of the frame (fully mortised). This method of preparing a frame uses a die set with a top and bottom section that mirror the shape of the emboss. The dies are placed in a press and the emboss is formed by extreme pressure applied to the die set.

Hinge Jamb

The vertical component of a door frame that contains the embossment, preparation, or reinforcement for the hinges that support the door.

Hinge Backset (See Backset – hinge).

Hinge Reinforcement

A steel plate attached to a door frame or a steel door that provides threaded holes for machine screws to attach a hinge to the frame. These may be welded to the frame or mechanically attached. The hinge reinforcement is the primary connection between the door and frame so its integrity is critical to the long term function of an opening.           

Hinge Side

The vertical jamb leg with hinge reinforcements or other hardware preparations to hang the door on the frame.             

Hospital Stop (Terminated Stop, Sanitary Stop)

A special modification to the stop portion of both jambs on a double rabbet frame. The stop is cut off 4" – 6" and capped off producing a straight profile at the bottom of the jamb. This straight profile is easier to keep clean than a standard double rabbet frame which has two additional inside corners to trap dirt and other particles.

Inactive Door (Inactive Leaf)

In a pair of doors, it is the other door of the pair normally held stationary by surface or flush bolts. The other door is the active door in which the lock or operating hardware is installed.

Inside Dimension (I.D.)

The measurement between the rabbet surface of two jambs or of a header and sill.      

Intertek Testing Services (ITS)

An international testing service which tests, validates, and enforces product labeling procedures for fire resistance, electrical compliance, thermal performance, or other product features that require such certification. Warnock Hersey International (WHI) was formerly a separate company but is now owned and operated by Intertek Testing Services.

Intermediate Pivot

A piece of hardware used to attach a door to a frame consisting of a large pivot point with bearing surfaces. An intermediate pivot is positioned between the top and bottom pivots on most door openings.

Jamb

Another term for door frame.

Jamb Anchor

A formed piece of metal used to attach a steel frame to the framing or structure of the wall

Jamb Depth (H.M. – Jamb Width, Jamb Thickness)

The overall dimension of the jamb when measured from frame face to frame face. For hollow metal frames, this is usually 1" larger than the wall since the frame has 1/2" returns. For Timely frames, the jamb depth is a net inside dimension measured between the two faces of the jamb and is equal to the plan wall dimension plus 1/8".

Jamb Switch

A mechanical switch mounted on the jamb rabbet connected to a light or sensor used to illuminate a room or closet when the door is in the open position.

Keeper

Another name for a lock strike.

Kerf

A formed slot in a wood or steel frame that accepts the fin of the gasket material allowing it to be installed without screws or adhesives.

Kickplate

A protective plate mounted to a door to repel the force of carts, gurneys, wheel chairs or other objects that may impact the door surface.

Knob

A protruding portion of a lock or latch used to operate the latch mechanism. A knob is usually round or oval shape as opposed to a lever handle, another way of operating the lock or latch.  

Knocked Down

Refers to a door frame that arrives at the jobsite in pieces and must be assembled at the opening. Other frame options are welded or pre-hung.

Knuckle

The protruding part of a butt hinge or pivot that encases the hinge pin or pivot rod.

Labeled Frame/Door

A door frame or door that actually bears a fire label. Many products are manufactured to a standard that qualifies for a fire label but, without the label, they are not considered a “Labeled” door or frame.

Latch (Latchset)

A spring loaded mechanism with a beveled end that is compressed when in contact with the surface of a strike but automatically extend into the hole in the strike when the door is fully closed. A latchset is operated by a knob or lever when it is part of a lockset or latchset and does not require a key or other secure method to operate the latch. The latch may be operated by a flip lever if it is a self latching flush bolt.

Latch Jamb (Lock Jamb, Strike Jamb)

The vertical jamb piece that is prepared for a strike to provide secure latching of the door.

Lead Lined

A door or frame that has a protective shield of lead built into its construction for the purpose of repelling x-rays or other harmful rays.

Leading Edge

The edge of a door that is exposed to view when viewed from the hinge side. Specifically, the leading edge is the strike side edge of a door that opens toward the user.

Leaf (Door)

A term referring to the specific door of a single or pair of doors. For instance, the door with the locking hardware in a pair of doors is the active leaf.

Leaf (Hinge)

The flat part of a hinge that is screwed to the door or frame. A hinge has two leaves joined by a pin through the hinge barrel.

Left Hand (LH)

See “Handing”.

Left Hand Reverse Bevel (LHR or LHRB)

See “Handing”.

Lever Handle

The portion of a lock or latch that extends from the door surface and is used to retract the latchbolt. A lever is used instead of a knob to facilitate easy operation to comply with ADA requirements.

Lintel

A structural member placed at the head of an opening to provide support and deflect the load to the structure on both sides of the opening. A lintel is most commonly used in masonry construction to support the masonry at the top of a window or door opening.

Lock (Lockset)

A mechanical device used to secure a door in the closed position. A lock is normally equipped with levers or knobs that operate a latchbolt. To open the door, a key, key card, a combination or other secure method must be used to operate the lock.      

Lock Edge

The edge of a door that contains the lock or latch mechanism, usually opposite the hinge edge.

Lock Jamb

The vertical jamb member prepared for a strike for the lock or latch mechanism. If there is no lock or latch, it is the jamb opposite the hinge jamb.

Lock Reinforcement

A wood or metal framework concealed in the core of a door to provide support in the lock area to prevent deflection of the door skins when installing the lock or latch.

Magnetic Contact

A simple switch that uses two magnets. In most cases, one magnet is in the jamb and contains the low voltage wiring leading to a control station and the other magnet is in the door. When the door is closed, the magnets repel and the switch is opened or closed depending on the desired monitoring position.

Magnetic Switch

Same as a magnetic contact.

Masonry

Wall material made from concrete or cinder blocks.

Masonry Frame

A door frame designed to be easily installed in masonry walls. In most cases, the masonry frame can also be installed in stud and drywall partitions.

Masonry Anchor

A piece of flat metal or heavy wire that attaches to a masonry frame and extends into the masonry to anchor the frame to the wall.

Machine Screw

A screw having machined threads along a shank that are mirror images of the threads tapped into a solid piece. Machine screws are used when attaching objects to metal sub-strates that are suitable for machined threads.

Meeting Stile

The area along the vertical edges where two doors hung in pairs meet. This refers to the edges and the surfaces in close proximity to the edges.

Molding

A piece of wood, vinyl, fiberglass, plastic or PVC used to cover joints and/or fasteners or to provide a decorative appearance when applied to flat surfaces.

Mortise

V. The act of cutting away wood or other core material to create a pocket allowing hardware to be installed flush with the surface of a door or frame.

N. The pocket or recess created by the act of mortising

Mortise Lock

A type of lock with a large rectangular case that houses the locking and latch retraction mechanisms. This type of lock requires a deep mortise in the door for installation.

Mortise Deadlock

A type of lock similar to a mortise lock but containing only a solid deadbolt having no latching function.

Mortise Door Bottom

A door bottom that installs into a mortise on the bottom edge of the door so it is concealed when installed.

Mortise Exit Device

See Exit Device – Mortise.

Mullion

A vertical component of a sidelight or borrowed light that separates a door from a glass area or separates two glass areas.

Mullion Anchor

A formed or cast piece of metal attached to the structure to provide solid anchorage for a mullion.

Mullion Insert

A piece of metal formed with its outside jamb measurement equal to the inside measurement of a jamb piece. The insert is assembled with the jamb pieces to create a tubular mullion section.

Muntin

A component within a window, sidelight or borrowed light that separates panes of glass.

Mute

Another name for door silencer, a piece of rubber or vinyl applied to the stop on a frame to reduce the amount of noise created when closing the door.

Narrow Face

In door terminology, this is the face of the door opposite the hinge barrel. When a door is beveled the wide face is the nominal dimension and the narrow face is slightly smaller because beveling removes a small portion of the face.

Narrow Stile

A name for a door having stile widths considerably less than traditional stiles on a wood or metal door. The most common example of a narrow stile door is an aluminum storefront door which has stiles approximately 2" wide.

Nominal Dimension

A call out dimension referring to the size of a component before its final fitting for the unit. For example, a 3’0" door has a nominal dimension of 36" but the actual measurement of the door after sizing and beveling will be approximately 35 3/4" which is the actual, no nominal dimension. Likewise, when referring to a Timely standard jamb, the nominal dimension may be 7’0" but the actual dimension is 7’0 3/16".

Non-Template (Hinge)

A piece of hardware with dimensions and screw locations that are different than industry standards and may vary from one part to another. (see Template).

No Stop

A jamb material with no stop used as a cased opening or for openings with double acting doors.

Offset Pivot

A pivot set that has a pivot point extending out from the face of the door in the direction of swing, similar to a hinged door but with a pivot set rather than a pin and barrel. (see Pivot).

Olive Knuckle Hinge

A type of pivot hinge using a small pivot pin for the bottom portion. The pivot area is normally oval shaped hence the name “olive knuckle”

Opening – Rough

An opening created in a wall of a structure that requires additional trim, casing, or a frames to finish the opening.

Opening – Finished

An opening created in a wall of a structure that is completely finished and requires no additional trim, casing, or frame.

Opening – Door

An opening created in a wall of a structure that will eventually contain a door assembly providing ingress and egress to/from a space in the building

Opening Height

The nominal or actual height of an opening after the door frame or other finish material has been installed. For openings with transom frames, or for borrowed lights, the opening height usually refers to the overall height of the unit, not the door height.

Opening Width

The nominal or actual width of an opening after the door frame or other finish material has been installed. For sidelights or borrowed lights, the opening width usually refers to the overall width of the unit, not the door width.

Outside Dimension

The measurement from the farthest points in both height and width of an installed, finished unit. For hollow metal frames, it is the outside dimension of the unit. For steel, wood, or other frames using applied casings, it is the overall dimension with the casing applied (tip to tip).

Oval Head Screw

A screw with a beveled head that is countersunk into the material being fastener but with a head that protrudes  in a simi-circular pattern instead of being flush with the material being fastened like a flat head screw.

Overhead Holder/Stop

A mechanical device installed on a door and frame, either mortised or surface mounted, to control the degree of opening of the door. The overhead stop/holder may be configured as a stop only or as a combination stop and hold open device. Overhead stop/holders are used when doors open into a space that has objects that would otherwise be damaged if the door were allowed to swing past a designated degree of opening.

Pair Frame

A door frame containing two doors in the same rabbet (plane) opening in the same direction.

Panel

A section of a door installed into a transom or sidelite frame instead of glass or ceramic material.

Panic Device

See Exit Device.

Parallel Arm Closer

A door closer mounted on the push side of a door with the arm mounted on the stop of the header. In the closed position, the two arm sections are nearly parallel.

Parallel Bevel

For pairs of doors swinging in opposite directions (see Double Egress), the doors are beveled to correspond to the swing. Since both doors are the same hand, the bevels are parallel at the meeting stile.

Pivot

A piece of hardware used to hang a door that is made in two sections. The bottom section contains a cylindrical rod and the top section has a cylindrical hole to fit over the rod. In most cases, the pivot is equipped with some sort of bearing surface. Pivot sets are used on doors with high frequency, doors that are unusually heavy.

Plans

In construction, the “plans” are the documents prepared by the architect or designer that visually represent the essential elements of the building. The plans are usually accompanied by a specification book (specs) that further define the types, quality levels and performance requirements of the materials to be used on the project.

Plaster Guard

A light gage metal box welded to the back of a hollow metal frame that prevents mortar or plaster from obstructing the mortises and screw holes required for the hardware.

Plinth

A piece of decorative trim placed at the bottom of jamb molding to provide a transition between the base molding and jamb molding.

Profile

The shape of a jamb and/or casing when viewed as a cross section detail. The profile view is used to show how the material is connected to the wall and to verify that the jamb width is compatible with the wall construction.

Pocket Door

A door that slides into a recess inside a wall usually hung on rollers from a track at the door head.

Pocket Frame

A framework consisting of jamb posts, cross supports, track and header that installs in a wall prior to application of drywall. This framework creates the pocket for a pocket door.

Pull Side

The side of the door opening that clearly shows the hinge barrels or pivots. This means the door will swing toward the operator when opened.

Push Side

The side of the door opening where the stops on the frame are visible. This means the door will swing away from the operator when opened.

No glossary terms

Rabbet

The flat surface of a door frame that is perpendicular to the wall and not part of the stop of the frame. The rabbet is normally where the door is hung and the hardware preparations occur. On a double rabbet frame, one rabbet contains the door and the other rabbet is left blank. On a double rabbet communicating frame, both rabbets are prepared for doors.

Rail

The horizontal portion of a stile and rail door (either wood, fiberglass or metal) that is clearly shown as a separate piece. In some cases, the top 6” and the bottom 12″ of a flush door are referred to as “rails”.

Return

The portion of a hollow metal frame perpendicular to the wall that touches the wall when the frame is installed.

Reveal

For millwork, the dimension between the door rabbet and the leading edge of the casing when the opening is viewed perpendicular to the wall.

Regular Arm Closer

A door closer mounted on the pull side of the door with the shoe on the arm attached to the header of the frame. When the door is closed, both portions of the arm are perpendicular to the face of the door.

Reinforcement

A piece of solid material used to provide adequate anchorage and screw thread depth for a piece of hardware. Reinforcements are welded, screwed, mechanically attached or adhesive mounted to the frame and/or door.

Removable Mullion

A mullion that is easily removed without affecting the rest of the frame or doors. The most common removable mullion is one used as a stop and latching hardware for a pair of doors equipped with rim exit devices. In normal use, the mullion stays in place and the doors latch to the strikes on the mullion. If the building owner wants to move large objects through the opening, the mullion can be easily removed and replaced with affecting the doors and frame.

Rough Opening

An opening created in a wall of a structure that requires additional trim, casing, or a frames to finish the opening.

Right Hand – (RH)

See “Handing”.

Right Hand Reverse Bevel – (RHR or RHRB)

See “Handing”.

Rim Deadlock

A locking device mounted on the surface of the door with a solid bolt that engages a strike mounted on the surface of the frame.

Rim Lock

A locking device mounted on the surface of the door with a latching device that engages a strike mounted on the surface of the frame.

Rim Exit Device

See “Exit Device”.

Rough Buck

See “Sub Frame”.

Round Head Screw

A screw with a rounded head with a flat surface that rests on the material to be attached. The screw shank is a solid piece below the head and no counter sink is required.

Rubber Silencer

See “Mute”.

Sanitary Stop

See “Hospital Stop”.

Sidelight

A portion of a door frame adjacent to the door opening prepared for glass or ceramic glazing. In some cases the “sidelight” portion of the frame may contain a door panel or other material.

Secure Side

The side of an opening that requires a key, card reader, or controlled access authority to open the door

Shop Drawings

A document prepared by material suppliers that clearly lists each opening and the materials being supplied for that opening. The shop drawing is reviewed by the contractor and architect for compliance with the plans and specifications. The contractor also uses the approved shop drawings to determine framing requirements, installation requirements and job scheduling. Shop drawings are often supplied with product submittal sheets to provide a clear description of the materials being supplied by the sub-contractor.

Silencer

See “Mute”.

Sill Channel

A piece of 18 ga. insert material formed similar to a mullion insert that is anchored to the floor. The sidelight sill slips over the sill channel and is anchored to the channel.

Sill – Door Opening

The bottom treatment of a door opening, usually a threshold and/or a door bottom. The sill is part of the sealing system for an opening if required.

Sill – Sidelight, Borrowed Light Frame

The portion of a sidelight or borrowed light frame running parallel to the floor at the bottom of the frame.

Single Acting

A door that only swings in one direction out of an opening and rests against the stop on the door frame when closed.

Single Rabbet

A door frame with a profile showing only one rabbet with the stop extending to the opposite face of the frame.

Single Swing

A term referring to a frame with only one door.

Sliding Door

A door hung on rollers that roll along a track at the head. This may be a single sliding door, a pair of doors (see “Bi-pass Door”) or multiple doors in multiple tracks in the same opening.

Smoke Control Door/Frame

A fire rated assembly (20 min.) of door frame and hardware with fire rated perimeter sealant to prevent smoke from travelling through the opening when the door is in the closed position.

Smoke Gasket (Smoke Seal)

Any approved sealant substance used to seal an opening to prevent the passage of smoke from one side to the other when the door is in the closed position.

Sound Seal

A sealing material used to fill the gap between a door and frame that has been tested and proven to be an effective component to reduce the travel of sound from one side of the opening to the other.

Spat

A piece of metal, usually stainless steel placed at the bottom of a door frame to facilitate easy cleaning.

Specifications (Specs)

A volume of documents that clearly defines the extent of a contract between a contractor and the building owner’s representative. The specifications explain all the terms of the contract and continue with the acceptable products, applications, performance and warranties.

Splice

A connection of two pieces of material of identical shape to form one continuous run.

Split Frame

A door frame with a profile that consists of two parts that can be adjusted for various wall conditions or be separated if it the door unit is to be pre-hung.

Spot Weld

The joining of two pieces of metal in a specific location using the heat generated by electrical resistance to melt the metal and form the weld. Copper contacts firmly clamp the material at the spot of the weld.

Spreader Bar

One or two light gauge steel angles welded to the bottom of a welded hollow metal frame to support the frame and prevent wracking during shipment. Shipping spreader bars are not intended to be used as a reference and must be removed prior to installing the frame. A separate template board is used to maintain door width when plumbing and leveling the frame.

Spring Hinge

A hinge that has a spring assembly in the barrel for closing the door. As the door is opened, the spring is wound creating the tension necessary to close the door. Spring hinges are adjustable for spring power but have no other adjustment for back check, latching speed or adjustable opening and closing force. Spring hinges are not designed as load bearing hinges and should be used at only the middle or bottom hinge locations on a door.

Square Edge

A door’s vertical edge that has not been beveled and is exactly at 90º from the door faces. Also called a “book” edge when the door is full width (not nominal) width.

STC (Sound Transmission Coefficient) Rating

A value given to a part of a building’s interior structure based on measurement of the structure’s ability to reduce the passage of sound from one side of the structure to another. The structure may be a wall, a door and frame unit or a glazed unit. The higher the STC rating, the less sound is transmitted from one side of the structure to the other.

Steel Stud

A component commonly used in buildings as a framework for walls and partitions. Steel studs vary in gage of metal from 20 ga. to 24 ga. and in width from 2” up to 12”. Steel studs are used as the framework to attach other wall components for structural, sound or blocking. Once wall materials are in place, the wall is covered with drywall board.

Steel Stud Anchor

A piece of formed steel used to attached a welded or knocked down hollow metal masonry frame to the steel stud framework prior to the application of drywall.

Steel Stud Track

A component in steel stud framing with an inside dimension the same as the outside dimension of a steel stud. Steel stud track sections are used when horizontal members are required because the studs, running vertically, will nest easily inside the track and can be fastened with a screw. Because track sections are normally 1/8″ wider than stud sections, the actual wall thickness of a steel stud partition is a minimum of 1/8″ wider than the stud dimension.

Stick Material

Lengths of jamb, insert or assembled mullions supplied in 10’1″ or 12’1″ lengths to be used by dealers with fabrication shops when building frames, sidelights and borrowed lights in their shop.

Stiffener

A piece of formed steel used on the inside of certain types of hollow metal doors to maintain rigidity and uniform thickness.

Stile

The vertical portion of a stile and rail door (either wood, fiberglass or metal) that is clearly shown as a separate piece. In some cases, the stiles are approximately 4” – 6” but many vary depending on the style of door. In some cases, the stile width limits the type of locking hardware that can be used on the door.

Stop

The portion of the door frame in extending from the rabbet that creates a solid barrier for the door to close against.

Strike

A piece of metal used to protect the surface of the door frame and trim when the door swings closed and to provide a recess to accept the latching or deadbolt mechanism.

• Lipped strike – a strike with a lip that extends beyond the frame face and trim to prevent damage from a latchbolt.
• No Lip strike – a strike with no lip used to accept a deadbolt mechanism. A deadbolt is mechanically operated when the door is in the closed postition.
• Dustproof Strike – a strike with a spring loaded plunger that depresses when the deadbolt is inserted. When the door is in the unlocked position, the plunger extends to the strike surface preventing foreign debris from getting into the strike housing.
• Electric Strike – a strike used to control access from a remote location. Electric strikes have a solenoid that retracts the strike mechanism or engages the latchbolt allowing entry only when the strike is activated or if someone has authorization to operate the locking hardware with a key.
• Roller Latch Strike – A lipped strike with a recessed area instead of a hole allowing the roller to extend into the strike and maintain position until opened.
• Bullet Catch Strike - A lipped strike with a recessed area instead of a hole allowing the round “bullet” to extend into the strike and maintain position until opened.

Strike Emboss

A recessed area formed by an emboss process on a steel frame used to install the strike so it is flush with the frame surface. (See Emboss).

Strike Jamb

For single door openings, it is the vertical member of a door frame that contains one or more strikes. The jamb opposite the hinge jamb is the strike jamb even though it may not be prepared for a strike.

Strike Mullion

For single door openings, it is the vertical member of a sidelight frame that contains one or more strikes. The mullion opposite the hinge jamb or hinge mullion is the strike mullion even though it may not be prepared for a strike.

Strike Preparation

A recessed area formed by chiseling (wood doors and frames) cutting, and/or welding steel doors and frames) on a steel frame used to install the strike so it is flush with the frame surface.

Strike Reinforcement

A piece of solid metal attached to the inside of a door frame that is drilled and tapped for a surface mounted strike. The reinforcement provides the necessary depth of threads to adequately secure the strike.

Sub Frame (Sub Buck, Rough Buck)

A framework applied to a finished opening in a structure that serves as a suitable anchorage for a door frame when the material or location of the opening prohibits a standard installation. This is a common application for a Timely frame in masonry walls.

Submittals

A folio of documents which includes the project shop drawings and door schedules specifically referring to the product data sheets for all products being supplied by a sub contractor or material supplier.

Surface Bolt

A round or square bolt applied to the surface of a door with a strike normally surface mounted on the frame used to lock down an inactive door in lieu of a flush bolt which is mortised into the door.

Surface Sliding Door

See “Barn Door”.

Swing

The arc or path of a door as it travels from its closed position to its maximum open position.

Template

n. A document showing the critical dimensions of a piece of hardware used to prepare the door and frame for the correct mortise, screw locations and depth.

Adj. A term referring to a piece of hardware that complies to a universal standard for size depth and preparation requirements. Template hardware items are designed to fit in a standard preparation regardless of the manufacturer of the door or frame.

Threshold

A piece of metal, plastic, vinyl or marble that forms a flat surface beneath a door. The threshold is used to protect, seal and/or to provide a fire barrier at the base of the opening.

Throat

The opening in the back of a door frame. The throat accepts the anchors or sleeves over the finished wall depending on the type of frame.

Throw

A term referring to the distance travelled by a latch, Deadlatch or deadbolt. It is the measurement from the faceplate to the tip of the latch or bolt.

Tip to Tip

The measurement from the farthest outside point in height or width of a frame or casing. When measuring mitered casing, it is the only accurate point of measurement since it is difficult to measure the low side of the casing. The low side measurement equals the tip to tip measurement less twice the casing width.

Example: TA-8 casing – 1 7/16″ wide x 3’0″ door Tip to tip measurement is 39 3/8″, Low side measurement is 3’0 1/2″ (door width plus reveal – 2 x 1/4″).

Tolerance

Refers to an allowable difference (variance) in the actual measurement of a door, frame or hardware component. Door and Hardware Industry standards dictate a tolerance of plus or minus 1/32″.

Top Channel

A recessed cavity in the top of a door created by an inverted top member in a steel door or by a machined mortise in a wood door.

Top Jamb Closer

A closer installed on the frame of the door on the header on the push side used in lieu of a parallel arm closer when there is insufficient space on the top rail of the door.

Transom

An area above a door containing glazing or a door panel that is either stationary when the door opens or is independently operable if separated from the door by a transom bar.

Transom Bar

A door frame member that forms a division between the top of a door and a transom area above the door.

Transom Frame

A door frame that has an area above the door for a transom and has a visible transom bar.

Transom Panel – Fixed

A door panel or other solid object fixed to the door frame in the transom area of the frame.

Transom Panel – Operable

A door panel or other solid object that is hinged or pivot facilitating opening of the transom panel separately from the door.

Transom Panel – Fire Rated

A door panel or other solid object fixed to the door frame in the transom area of the frame that has passed a fire test including construction of the panel and the method of installation in the frame.

Trim

See “Casing”.

Undercut

The space under a door that allows it to swing over thresholds, floor coverings or other material on the floor. The undercut dimension is the difference between the bottom of the frame and the bottom of the door.

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

An international testing service which tests, validates, and enforces product labeling procedures for fire resistance, electrical compliance, thermal performance, or other product features that require such certification.

Vertical Rod Exit Device

See “Exit Device”.

Wall Size

The dimension of a finished wall measured from one surface to the other. The wall size may vary at the head, center and bottom so the correct wall size is the largest dimension. For Timely frames, the opening in the back of the frame (throat) should be the same as the field measured wall size.

• Plan Wall Size – the wall dimension shown on a the architectural drawings if the wall were to be constructed perfectly according to the dimensions of the various components.
• Field Measured Wall Size – the actual wall dimension measured after the walls are completed

Warnock Hersey International

See “Intertek Testing Services”.

Weatherstripping

A material applied to a door frame that fills the gaps between the door and frame in order to seal the opening against moisture and air flow from the exterior of a building through the door assembly.

Weephole

A small hole that allows moisture to escape from tracks, channels or other materials whose shape forms a cavity that might collect moisture. The weep hole allows the moisture to flow to the exterior preventing moisture from reaching the interior of an opening or to prevent mold an mildew that might develop in standing water.

Wide Side

In door terminology, the wide side of a door is the net measurement on the door face toward the hinge barrels (pull side).

Wire Masonry Anchor

A device inserted in the throat of a hollow metal frame and extending into masonry to create a positive anchor for the frame when the masonry is set.

Wood Screw

A screw with angled threads used to attach material to a wood substrate.

Wood Stud Anchor

A device inserted in the throat of a hollow metal frame and extending onto the face of a wood stud used to anchor a masonry frame to the wood stud wall prior to application of the drywall.

No glossary terms

No glossary terms

No glossary terms