Glossary

Access Control

Method of restricting entrance to a property, a building, or a room to authorised persons using locks and keys, or through technological means such as a key fob/card system - commonly found in hotels.

Active Leaf

For a pair of doors, the door leaf to which the latching or locking mechanism is attached; usually this leaf is permitted to open first; sometimes both leaves can be active.

Acoustic Door

A door having a sound-deadening core, that will have stops along the top and sides sealed by gaskets, and an automatic drop seal along the bottom; especially constructed to reduce noise transmission through it.

Anti-Thrust Bolt

Security spring bolt that can't be pushed back once it has fastened a door, and can only be withdrawn by a knob or key.

Typical applications are with night latches, lock-set furniture and digital lock latches.

Aperture

A general opening that could be a structural wall opening for installing the door or an aperture in the door to allow additional features to be fitted such as glazing or ventilation grills.

Approved Document B

Building Regulation in England covering fire safety matters within and around buildings.

Please also reference to:

Wales - Approved Document B (Welsh Version)

Scotland - The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 & The Technical Handbooks

Northern Ireland - The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 & Technical Booklet E

Republic of Ireland - Building Regulations Part B

Approved Document E

Building Regulation in England for the resistance to the passage of sound and sound insulation.

Please also reference to:

Wales - Approved Document E (Welsh Version)

Scotland - The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 & The Technical Handbooks

Northern Ireland - The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 & Technical Booklet G

Republic of Ireland - Building Regulations Part E

Approved Document K

Building Regulation in England covering the buildings users protection from falling, collision and impact in and around the building.

Please also reference to:

Wales - Approved Document K (Welsh Version)

Scotland - The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 & The Technical Handbooks

Northern Ireland - The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 & Technical Booklet H

Republic of Ireland - Building Regulations Part K

Approved Document L

Building Regulation in England setting standards for the energy performance of new and existing buildings.

Please also reference to:

Wales - Approved Document L (Welsh Version)

Scotland - The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 & The Technical Handbooks

Northern Ireland - The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 & Technical Booklet F

Republic of Ireland - Building Regulations Part L

Approved Document M

Building regulation in England to ensure that people are able to access and use buildings and their facilities.

Please also reference to:

Wales - Approved Document M (Welsh Version)

Scotland - The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 & The Technical Handbooks

Northern Ireland - The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 & Technical Booklet R

Republic of Ireland - Building Regulations Part M

Approved Document Q

Building Regulation for England covering security in dwellings.

Please also reference:

Wales - Approved Document Q (Welsh Version)

Scotland - The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 & The Technical Handbooks

Northern Ireland - No requirements for security

Republic of Ireland - No requirements for security

Architectural Door

Doors for commercial and industrial applications that need to meet specific standards of construction.

Architectural doors can sometimes be constructed to a different specification than residential doors.

Architrave

The moulded frame round a doorway or window.

Astragal

An Astragal is commonly used to seal between a pair of doors.

The Astragal closes the clearance gap created by bevels on one or both doors.

The vertical moulding attaches to a stile on one of a pair of either sliding or swinging doors, against which the other door seals when closed.

Backplate

The metal plate, often rectangular, on which a set of lever handles are mounted for fixing to the door faces.

Backset

Refers to a lock or latch measurement.

The Backset is the measurement from the edge of the faceplate (front of the lock) to the centre point of the spindle hole.

Ball Bearing Hinge

A hinge that is constructed using ball bearings between the knuckles that reduces the friction resulting in smoother and longer lasting operation.

Barrel Bolt

A bolt for fastening a door. It is attached to one side of the face of the door at it's edge and the bolt slides into a socket that is attached to the face of the door frame.

Bathroom Lock

A complete lockcase which is designed to be morticed into the door. 

The top spindle hole allows a handle to operate the latch and a separate follower allows a thumb turn to operate the bolt. An emergency release slot will be present on the outside.

Beading

Timber mouldings that surround a decorative or glazed panel in a door.

Bespoke Doors

Doors manufactured for special projects that have bespoke sizes or finishes applied.

Bevelled

This can refer to a timber door and is the process of shaping the leading edge of the door at an angle for a tighter fit when closed. Also a type of decorative glass that has an angled design around the full margin of the pane.

Bi-fold Doors

Doors that fold together on a track that lets the door slide open into position to save space.

Bolt Through Fixings

Method of bolting handles to a door where the bolts go from inside face right through and screw onto the outer handles on the other side.

Bottom Rail

The lower most horizontal member of a door or other panel assembly.

British Standards

British Standards (BS) are the standards produced by the BSI Group that is incorporated under a royal charter.

They are recognised standards of quality for goods and services that give reassurance that rigorous quality standards have been applied to the product.

Butt Hinge

A butt has a round central part (knuckle), flat portions (leaves or flaps), and a pin that is inserted into the knuckle. A pin can be a loose pin butt (removable) or fast (non-removable).

Centres

The measurement between the centres of two points. For example a Spindle and Key Hole on a lock.

Clear Glazed

Fully transparent glass fitted into the door.

Concealed Hinge

Morticed into the door and is hidden when the door is closed.

Continuous Hinge

Also known as a Piano Hinge. They can be used where any opening requires support along an extended length of the door.

Core

The internal construction of a door.

Crash Plates / Door Plates

Double height of a standard kick plates, and used for high foot traffic and wheeled traffic areas such as trolleys, suitcases etc.

Cross Rail

Centre most horizontal member of a door construction.

Cylinder Lock

A lock (or latch) whose mechanism is enclosed in a metal cylinder casing.

Deadbolt

These are insurance-rated and commonly installed where there is only a key and knob set on the door. 

This lock has to be physically locked with a key when you close the door. Once the lock is locked, you will need a key from either the outside or the inside to throw the bolt over to the unlocked position.

Deadlatch

When you close the door behind you, the deadlatch will self-deadlock. You will keylock a deadlatch from the inside before leaving, but it will allow you to close the door behind you without having to keylock it from the outside when you leave.

Deadlock

A mortice deadlock is primarily designed to work on entrance doors.

They can only be operated with a key and work with a single bolt locking mechanism, meaning it will lock when shut and can then only be opened with the key. A thumb-turn will allow the lock to be operated from the inside.

Door

A hinged, sliding, or revolving barrier at the entrance to a building, room, vehicle or cupboard.

Door Chain

A short chain that is attached to the door frame then slots into a slide track on the door. It is a form of added security but must be used in conjunction with other locks.

Door Closer

Door closers are critical life safety equipment pieces.

A door closer is required to ensure your fire door remains shut. Choosing the correct closer will depend on the size and weight of the door, location within the building, where you are mounting the closer on the door and the building specifications.

Door Coordinator

Ensures that the leaves of a double door close in the correct sequence.

Door Face

The large flat surfaces of a door.

Door Height

Top to bottom measurement of a door.

Standard heights are 6' 6" (imperial) and 2040mm (metric).

Door Panels / Panel Doors

A door with panels framed by stiles and rails.

Door Stop

An object or device used to hold a door open or closed, or to prevent a door from opening too widely.

Please remember not to use door stops to wedge open Fire Doors, these must remain shut at all times.

Door Viewer

A small device with a lens allowing you to see who is outside your property.

Doorkits

A set of fully machined door and door frame components, supplied ready for site assembly. Usually the door and door frame will be supplied with a 2 part hinge already factory fitted.

Doorsets

A Masonite doorset will be supplied as a factory fitted door leaf swung in a door frame ready for onsite installation. The ironmongery selection will vary dependent on specification.

Door-Stop International

A Masonite Group company based in Nottingham. Door-Stop International manufacture and sell a large range of front entrance doorsets.

DorFab

A sub-brand of Premdor Cosby Limited (a Masonite Group company), based in Barnsley and manufacturing timber doorsets for internal and apartment entrance specifications.

Double Action Door

A single or pair of double doors that can swing in both directions.

Double Action Hinge

Double action hinges are usually found in commercial premises where a door is required to swing both ways.

Drop Seal

An essential item in smoke containment for door assemblies.

They are also an essential part of an acoustic sealing system. They fit to the bottom of a door and drop down automatically (without the need for power) when the door closes to form a firm seal.

Durador™

Masonite Registered Trade name for a popular real veneer door.

Edge Banding

A strip along the outside edges of the two sides and/or top and bottom of the door.

Escutcheon

An item of door furniture that surrounds a keyhole or lock cylinder, and is often part of a lockset.

Escutcheons help to protect a lock cylinder from being drilled out or snapped, and to protect the surrounding area from damage and wear from the end of the key when it misses the keyhole.

Euro Profile

A cylinder lock shape widely used in the UK.

External Doorsets

Prehung doors in a fame with all essential hardware including hinges, handles, lock, letterplate factory installed.

ExtraCORE

Available in some ranges where extra trimming is required on site, such as with refurbishment situations.

Approximately 40mm can be removed from each door stile or rail without affecting the integrity of the door.

Faceplate

The visible part of a latch or lock mechanism once it has been morticed into the door.

Where a lock has a fixed forend a second plate can be attached allowing the finish of the faceplate to be swapped without the need to change the whole lock.

Falling Butt Hinges

Causes the door to self open. Commonly found in WCs where it may be desirable for users to see if cubicle is free.

Fibreglass

Reinforced plastic material composed of glass fibres embedded in a resin matrix.

Other common names for fiberglass are glass-reinforced plastic (GRP).

Fire Brigade Locks

Generally used on service riser doors in blocks of flats and other similar utility cupboards and rooms.

Fire brigade locks serve a critical role in allowing emergency services personnel to reach areas that are cordoned off to the general public.

Fire Door

A critical lifesaving product, installing an internal fire door helps you prevent the spread of fire throughout your building allowing time to vacate the premises safely.

Fire doors are designed to meet independent testing for fire ratings. 30 and 60 minutes are common.

Every fire door is tested and third party certified with specific components / ironmongery used. All ironmongery and components you install on a fire door must be compatible with the third party certification documents.

Fire doors are life saving and it is critical that all correct installation requirements are followed to maintain their safety properties.

Firemaster - PremCOR FD60

A high density particle board, which requires no timber framing, at a thickness of 54mm. When correctly installed with suitable intumescent strips as a doorset assembly, the door will provide certified fire resistance for 60 minutes.

Fireshield - Moulded FD30

A high density particle board, surrounded by substantial timber ramming.

When correctly installed with suitable intumescent strips as a doorset assembly, the door will provide certified fire resistance for 30 minutes.

Fireshield - PremCOR FD30

A high density particle board, which requires no timber framing, at a thickness of 44mm.

When correctly installed with suitable intumescent strips as a doorset assembly, the door will provide certified fire resistance for 30 minutes.

Flush Door

Flush doors feature a smooth back and front, and may have a variety of door facings.

Flush Bolt

Flush bolts are recessed into the door edge (top and bottom) and slide upward or downward into the jamb (or threshold) to keep the inactive leaf double doors closed.

Forend

Part of the lock or latch where the bolt or bolts protrude and allows the lock to be secured to the door.

Frame (Door)

A complete door frame consists of one header and two jamb legs into which a door is fitted.

Framed FD30 Core

A high density fire door core surrounded by substantial timber framing.

When correctly installed with suitable intumescent strips as a doorset assembly the door will provide certified fire resistance.

French Door

Two adjoining doors that have glass panes from top to bottom and are hinged at opposite sides of a doorway so that they open in the middle usually out to the rear garden area.

FSC®

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is an international non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation established in 1993 to promote responsible management of the world's forests.

The FSC® sets standards on forest products, along with certifying and labelling them as eco-friendly.

Furniture (Door)

A wide selection of ironmongery items that are fixed to the door.

Glazed Door

A door that has apertures cut out and glazing panes installed.

Glazed Fire Doors

As a lifesaving product, the components that make up a glazed fire door have to ensure the critical integrity of the door is maintained. This includes the size, type and thickness of the glass and the glazing gasket and beading that hold it in place.

All must be fitted according to the test evidence and by an approved manufacturer.

Grain

Lines that naturally appear in wood. They are a by product of the sawing pattern used when the mill first cut the boards of a piece of wood in relation to the angle of the existing growth rings.

Handing

The opening of the doors from left or right.

Hanging Stile

The side of the door that the hinges are applied. Also referred to as the hinge stile.

Hinge

Generally made from metal, these allow the door to be fixed to the frame and swing.

Hollow or Standard Core

A door that is manufactured using timber stiles and rails with a strong, full coverage, corrugated cardboard between the faces of the door. The door is covered with a skin that determines the style of the door.

Inlays

Pieces of contrasting, often coloured materials inserted into depressions in a flush door.

Innova™ Veneers

Masonite Innova™ doors are solid core Oak veneers inlaid with Bubinga (reddish brown timber) in a 1 panel design.

Intumescent Seals

An intumescent strip / seal is a piece of material fitted into a door or door frame that when exposed to heat, expands closing any gaps around the door to stop fire spreading for a period of time.

Intumescent strips usually come with either 30 or 60 minutes of resistance to fire.

Ironmongery

Door accessories such as handles, knobs, hinges, knockers, letter plates, push plate, eye viewers and stoppers.

Jamb

The vertical portion of the door frame onto which a door is secured.

Keep

A keep is a section of the lock that is fitted into the door frame. The latch (or bolt) of the lock latches into the keep when the door is closed or locked.

Kick Plates

Kick plates are an addition to the bottom of your door that help reduce the amount of damage and stress that your door takes over time.

They're installed on the push side of the door.

Kitemark

UK product and service quality trade mark which is owned and operated by The British Standards Institution.

The Kitemark is most frequently used to identify products where safety is paramount.

Laminate Door

A laminate door involves the gluing of a large decorative sheet to the core of the door in order to act as protective skin that’s generally thicker than a veneer and more durable as a result.

Latch

A bevelled bolt on a spring or roller bolt to fasten the door in the closed position but cannot be locked. Locking latches, night latches or dead latches can be locked.

Lever Handle

A set of handles normally on a rose or backplate to operate a lock or latch.

Lining

The door lining is the frame which enables the door leaf to be fixed in position. The door lining is used to hang the door leaf.

Lipping

A hardwood lipping is normally 6mm deep (can vary) and found on the long edges of the door - usually found on Paint Grade and Veneer style doors.

Lock Block

A concealed block of wood or particleboard fixed inside a door.

When installing a lockset, a hole is drilled through the door faces and into the lock block. It provides support for the lockset.

The lock block is normally one one side of the door and the location of the lock block position is marked on the top of the door.

Lock Rail

The intermediate rail used in the manufacture of a door and positioned at lock height.

Nicedor®

A Masonite Group company, based in Stoke-on-Trent that manufacturers PVCu door sets across a vast array of designs.

Nightlatch

A night latch is mounted on to the internal surface of a door . It can then be locked from the inside meaning the key cannot be turned from the outside.

A button found on the internal casing of the nightlatch can also be used to hold the latch back so the door is consistently open.

Obscured Glazed

There are several varieties of obscure glass, but in general it is any type of rolled glass that has a pattern embedded into its surface.

Option Plus

These include factory options that can be applied to your door to offer a bespoke service. These may include hinge preparation, factory finishing or routering for intumescent strips.

Pair Maker

A timber moulding that is fixed to the edge of one door, to hide the gap that exists with square meeting stiles. This is an alternative to rebating.

Particleboard

A formed panel consisting of particles of wood flakes and shavings, bonded together with a synthetic resin or other added binder and can be used to create a solid-core door.

PAS24

PAS 24 (Publicly Available Specification) is a set of tests designed to assess the security of door and windows against the effects of the casual or opportunistic burglar. It is not designed to defend against a professional burglary. The tests involved consider the size of tool used and the time it would take to be noticed.

Patio Door

Large sliding glass doors leading to the outside (usually the rear garden).

PEFC™

The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™) is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organisation which promotes sustainable forest management through independent third party certification. It is considered the certification system of choice for small forest owners.

Plumb

Exactly perpendicular / vertical, or at right angles to the floor.

Plywood

A crossbanded assembly of layers of veneer or veneer in combination with a core or plies which are joined with an adhesive. The grain of the adjoining veneer or plies is approximately at right angles.

Pocket Door Frame

An interior door frame to accommodate a door that slides into a partition pocket-type door frames which are often sold as a unit consisting of an outside jamb, header assembly with door track attached, split jamb pocket assembly and hardware for a hanging door.

Popular Paint Grade

Paint Grade veneered door. All faces and edges require preparation before finishing on site.

Available lipped and unlipped and as 30 & 60 minute fire doors.

Portfolio® Veneers

Our premium veneer collection. Portfolio® is a range of doors made with engineered veneers hand crafted in Italy and applied to the face of the door during manufacture in the UK.

Premium Moulded

Our superior range of finely detailed moulded panel doors.

Priming

A primer or undercoat is a preparatory coating put on materials before painting. Priming ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being painted.

Projection

The measurement from the door face to the furthest point of the item from the door face.

Push Plates

Installed on non-latching doors where a person simply pushes the door open without having to use a knob or handle - this prevents oils and dirt from damaging the door finish.

PVCu

Polyvinyl Chloride. The ‘U’ stands for un-plasticised. Weather resistant, low maintenance material popularly used in the construction of external doors and windows.

Rail

The horizontal timber components of a door construction.

Rebate

A groove cut into the edge of a frame to give a tighter fit.

Double doors have a lip on vertical edge where the doors meet.

Rebated Door Pairs

Rebated door pairs are sets of double doors that have a lip inserted on the long side where the two doors meet.

This meeting point is generally referred to as the rebated meeting stile. This gives the door pairs a more flush and solid appearance when they are closed.

Residor®

A Masonite Group Company based in Stoke on Trent that manufacturers high security composite doors.

Reveal

A reveal may typically be seen at the edge of a door or window, where the face moulding is set back to reveal the edge of the casing plank.

Rim Lock

These locks are screwed to the face of the door and are operated from the inside by a knob or handle and a key from the outside.

Rising Butt Hinge

Lifts the door as it opens when there is a need to have very little gap under the door - self closes commonly found in WC's.

Roller Bolt

Spring loaded roller latching method which is an alternative to a bevelled latch- - ideal for a quieter and easier closing of a door that is not handed.

Rose

A small plate that lever handles are mounted on, popularly round but are available in other shapes.

Round Forend

A forend to a latch that has rounded ends, these are predominately used when locks are machined and/or fitted in the factory.

Safe 'N' Sound

A construction of door that includes a 35mm solid core material as the main component. The door will be framed with a timber substrate and moulded door panels applied to the face.

Sash Lock

A complete lock case which is designed to be morticed into the door frame.  The spindle hole allows a handle to operate the latch and a key is used to operate the lock.

Security Butt Hinge

Fitted to an outward opening door where the hinge pin is exposed externally, when the door is closed the two hinge leafs lock together so removing the pin will not allow access.

Semi Solid

A door that is manufactured using timber stiles and rails with a strong, full coverage, corrugated cardboard between the faces of the door.

For added weight the door is manufactured with an additional full length particleboard strip down each long length of the door which also acts as a full length lock block on both sides of the door. The door is covered with a skin that determines the style of the door.

Sidelight

A fixed narrow panel, installed next to a door panel, for decorative purposes. They almost always contain glass lights.

Sidelights are normally designed to occupy a position adjacent to exterior doors, either in a common frame with the door or in a separate frame.

Skin

The front or face panel of a door manufactured in a range of styles.

Solid Core

A construction of door that includes a 35mm solid core material as the main component.

Solidor®

A Masonite Group company, based in Stoke-on-Trent that manufacturers GRP front entrance external door sets across a vast array of designs.

SoundSecure

The SoundSecure doorset has been designed to meet performance demands of internal apartment entrances and perfectly balances Building Regulation requirements with cost and ease of installation.

The SoundSecure doorset provides reassurance and security when it is required the most – the entrance to someone’s home.

SpeedSet Plus®

Unique to Premdor, SpeedSet Plus is a revolutionary, adjustable doorset for internal use. Simplifying the installation process, the doorset is entirely adjustable, overcoming building variation on wall thickness.

The door is supplied pre-hung with CE Marked latch and hinges together with pre-mitred architrave and fixing components.

Spindle

A square piece of the door furniture that passes through follower (spindle) hole in the lock / latch and fits onto each knob or handle to operate the door.

Split Spindle

For night latch functionality on some locks. When the outside handle is depressed the latch does not operate. The lock will only open with the use of a key.

SRB Doorset

SRB (Solid Rebated Doorset). A solid profiled rebated timber frame structure with a door pre-hung to produce a finished doorset. Mainly for use in commercial environments.

Standard Veneer

A thin decorative covering of real fine wood applied to the door construction. These include the traditional styles of Oak, Ash and Walnut.

Stile

The two long timber edges of the door construction, usually made with softwood and on some styles are visible whereas some styles are covered with a hardwood lipping.

Suited (Ironmongery)

Door Hardware that has a matching style and finish across all components.

Suited (Locks)

A series of locks with individual keys that can also be opened by a master key.

Threshold

Made from wood or metal with bevelled or tapered features on each side. The threshold can be used with exterior or interior door frames.

Classified as “interior”, “exterior” or “saddle”.

Thumbturn

A fitting on a mortice lock that is positioned on the inside of the room that allows the lock to be operated easily and by hand. Often seen as part of a bathroom lock but also for situations where quick exit may be required.

Top Rail

The horizontal timber section that is fitted to the top of the door during door manufacture. This will traditionally have door details printed on and fire door labels applied where appropriate.

Transom

A Transom is the horizontal structural beam separating a door from a top light window above it. Door transoms can be used on both external and interior doors, and these are mainly ornamental in nature.

TS007

TS007 is a security standard for replacement cylinders and protective door furniture to prevent lock-snapping crimes.

The specification protects cylinder locks against methods of forced entry, including picking, manipulation, bumping and snapping.

The TS007 standard uses a three-star system, in which the cylinder or a combination of security hardware must have an accumulative three stars to meet the minimum-security requirements. The star rating will be indicated above the Kitemark on the packaging and the product itself.

TS008 Letterplates

TS008 letterplates are referenced within the Building Regulations Approved Document Q as being shown to protect against various attack methods, including letterplate 'fishing'.

This specification provides protection against opportunist attack and to prevent contents from being removed from the property. It applies to all letterplate assemblies that allow mail to pass directly through a door or side panel.

Tubular Latch

A latch or lock whose body is tubular in shape. All that is needed is a hole to be drilled into the edge of the door and it is simply screwed into position through the forend. Low cost, convenient and time saving way to fit a lock.

U Value

U-value is the rate of transfer of heat through a structure (which can be a single material or a composite), divided by the difference in temperature across that structure.

The units of measurement are W/m²K. The better-insulated a structure is, the lower the U-value will be.

U-value ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20. The insulating value is indicated by the R-value which is the inverse of the U-value. The lower the U-value, the greater the resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.

Veneer

A thin sheet or layer of wood, usually rotary cut, sliced or sawn from a log, bolt or flitch; thickness may vary from 1/100 to 1/4 of an inch. These veneers can be manufactured from different species of tree to delver variations in style and are applied to the core construction of the door during manufacture.

Weather Strip

Metal, plastic or fibre strips that are fitted to the to a door to seal gaps from the elements.

Wired Glazed

Wired glass is a type of glass into which a wire mesh is embedded into the pane during production. 

Wired glass has an impact resistance similar to that of normal glass, but in case of breakage, the mesh retains the pieces of glass in the structure. This product is traditionally accepted as a value for money fire-resistant glass. Wired glass is traditionally fitted into lower cost fire doors for fire resistant glazing options.