Breaking down key terms you’ll hear when looking for a door, so you can buy with confidence.
Shopping for a door might seem straightforward... until you’re faced with a flood of lingo you’ve likely never encountered. Suddenly, words like “weatherstripping” and “adjustable sill” start appearing, and what seems like a simple decision can start to feel pretty intimidating.
But don’t worry! This guide is here to walk you through some essential door terms, so you can make a more informed choice.
Here is a list of door terminology you'd benefit from learning as you go through the door-buying process.
First, let's start with the most basic of door terms. These two terms are very important when you start the buying process.
A slab is simply the door panel itself without any hinges or hardware and is perfect for those looking for more customization. It’s ideal if you’re looking to replace an existing door and want to keep the current frame intact.
A pre-hung door is a complete unit that includes the door slab, frame, hinges and often weatherstripping. Pre-hung doors are perfect if you’re looking for an easy, seamless installation.
Here at Masonite, we offer homeowners both slab and pre-hung options. So, whether you’re looking for a beautiful ready-to-install option, like our Winslow Flush-Glazed 3 Panel, or you’re looking for a slab door, we have you covered.
These terms are important to understand if you are interested in bringing more natural light into your home or improving your home's internal flow between rooms.
A door lite is a window or glass panel within the door itself. Door lites on exterior doors, both front and patio doors, allow natural light into your home and enhance your home’s curb appeal. Interior door lites help increase the flow of light through your home and allow rooms to feel brighter and more open.
If you’re looking for a stylish exterior door with a large lite, check out our VistaGrande options. Available in ½ lite, ¾ lite and full lite, these doors not only brighten your entryway by allowing up to 18% more light than doors with traditional glass frames, but they’re also engineered with quality materials for long-lasting performance.
Related: Why You Should Select a Fiberglass Exterior Door for Your Home
Now that we’ve talked about door lites, it’s important to know the difference between the types of glass. Flush-glazed and standard are two distinct styles with different aesthetic and functional benefits.
Flush-glazed incorporates glass directly into the door’s structure without added framing, giving a sleek, seamless look — perfect for modern styles where clean lines reign supreme.
Standard, on the other hand, has a framed, classic design with visible glass panels. This option can be ideal for homeowners looking for a more traditional or detailed appearance, providing added visual interest around each glass pane.
For those who love the look of multi-pane windows, Simulated Divided Lite (SDL) doors are the perfect fit. SDL doors use a single glass pane with dividers on the door’s surface to mimic the look of true divided glass.
Grids add dimension and personality to doors, creating a pattern of divided sections. Whether in a single-lite or multi-lite layout, grid patterns vary widely, from simple cross patterns to intricate designs. Homeowners often choose grids to match their home’s architectural style — grids are popular in everything from farmhouse to transitional styles, letting you infuse your doors with unique character.
Some more basic terminology you'll need to understand include:
Choosing between an inswing and outswing door might seem simple, but it makes a significant difference in both style and functionality.
Inswing doors open into the room, giving the entryway an inviting look and keeping the outdoor space unobstructed.
Outswing doors, as the name suggests, open outward, ideal for tighter interior spaces where every square foot counts. They’re also a good choice for hurricane-prone zones because there is less of a chance that they will blow in during windy conditions.
Both options provide functional flexibility — just consider the flow of traffic and available room in your entryway.
The door frame, or casing, is the structure that supports the door and includes the head jamb, side jambs and threshold. It’s crucial for stability, helping the door swing properly and maintain its alignment over time.
Hinges are the metal pieces attached to the door and frame that allow it to swing open and closed. When selecting a door, consider hinge quality as it contributes to the door’s durability and smooth operation.
You'll also want to think about the color of hinge for your home, as you can achieve different looks depending on what you use. For example, satin brass hinges are often used in mid-century modern homes, whereas matte black hinges can be seen in industrial or farmhouse looks.
If safety and security are top of mind, these terms will help you make a confident door purchase.
Small but mighty, strike plates are key to a door’s security. Positioned on the door frame, these metal plates catch the latch bolt when the door is closed, reinforcing the door’s locking system. Strike plates come in several finishes to match the door hardware, adding both strength and style.
For those with security in mind, consider strike plates that add an extra layer of protection to help keep your home safe and sound.
The lockset refers to the hardware that allows you to lock and unlock the door, including the knobs, levers and sometimes a deadbolt. Quality locksets are essential for home security, so investing in a reliable lockset is a must.
Options like an M-Protect Multi-Point Security Lock can provide elevated peace of mind for any homeowner. M-Protect is 4x* stronger than a standard deadbolt lock, so you can be ready for whatever comes knocking.
Related: How to Choose the Best Front Door Lock for Your Home
If you want to add some detail to your doors, learn these terms.
Stile and rail doors are all about detail. These doors consist of a frame made up of vertical “stiles” and horizontal “rails,” which together create a structured, paneled design.
Stile and rail doors can range from a few clean, straightforward panels to elaborate, raised panel designs. Known for their sturdiness and stylish appearance, these doors are a great choice for traditional and classic interiors. Wood is the most traditional and common material for stile and rail doors.
Mullions are vertical or horizontal dividers that provide structure between panels of glass within a door. They’re often used in French doors or doors with large glass panes, lending a touch of elegance and visual interest. Mullions can be decorative, enhancing the door’s aesthetic, or structural, adding strength. Either way, they offer a timeless architectural touch to any space.
Sticking refers to the molding or contour around a door’s panel. Different styles of sticking can transform the look of a door, lending detail that elevates even the simplest designs. Sticking is a small but powerful detail, offering a sophisticated layer of craftsmanship and texture that gives your door depth.
The “skin” or “facing” of a door is more than just its outer layer — it can help give the door its look, feel and durability. Skin typically refers to the outer material that covers the door’s core, providing the finish and texture you see and touch every day.
Choosing a door with high-quality skin means your door will not only look great but also stand the test of time in a busy household.
The panel is the raised or recessed section of the door that gives it character. Panels can come in various designs, from simple and classic to intricate and modern. Masonite offers doors with a wide range of panel options, from the number of panels to the style, so you can easily find one that complements your home’s aesthetic.
One of our most popular paneled doors? The Logan 2 Panel features Shaker-style recessed panels, which can give your home an artisanal look without sacrificing quality — plus, this style is available as an exterior or interior door!
Interior doors have their own terminology that can guide you in your purchasing.
Solid core doors are all about durability, sound-dampening and eco-friendliness. Constructed with a solid, heavy core, these doors block sound effectively and give a premium feel to any room.
Our solid core doors are made with 70% more material, so they’re stronger, heavier and quieter than our standard hollow core doors. Ideal for bedrooms, offices or any space that needs extra privacy, solid core doors combine sustainability with high-quality performance.
Related: Can Masonite Solid Core Doors Survive a Rage Room?
Hollow core doors are a cost-effective and lightweight option, often used for interior spaces like closets and storage rooms. While they may not offer the same sound-blocking qualities as solid core doors, hollow core doors are easy to handle and install, making them a practical solution for many parts of the home. They’re great for spaces where budget-friendly and functional options are key.
Molded doors mimic the look of real wood at a fraction of the price. With a range of styles, from smooth to wood grain textures, molded doors fit well with many aesthetics. They’re designed for durability, making them resistant to warping and cracking, and offer a long-lasting, versatile option for interior doors.
Flush doors keep things minimal. With a completely flat, unadorned surface, they create a sleek look perfect for modern and minimalist interiors. Flush doors come in both hollow and solid core options and can be painted or stained to match any style. These doors are all about simplicity, making them an ideal fit for spaces that benefit from clean, understated design.
Shopping for an exterior door? Visit your retail store armed with this important terminology.
Sidelites are the narrow, vertical glass panels that flank a door, bringing in natural light and adding a touch of elegance. They’re often used in entryways to create an inviting, open feel while still maintaining privacy and security.
Sidelites give a grand impression, elevating the look of any entry door and offering a beautiful frame for your main entrance.
Weatherstripping is a seal that runs along the edges of an exterior door frame to prevent drafts, moisture and debris from entering your home. It helps form a tighter seal between the door panel, sill and frame. In addition to keeping air and water out, weatherstripping is also a must-have if energy efficiency and comfort are top priorities.
Upgrading your front door? Consider the Masonite Performance Door System. These premium fiberglass doors come with a 4-Point Performance Seal that includes adaptive weatherstripping made of high-end, low-wick memory foam that snaps back into shape when bent or twisted. This means it lasts longer and maintains its seal season after season — keeping your home cozy and helping reduce energy costs.
The sill is the bottom part of the door frame, the portion you step over as you walk through the doorway. Door rookies may think of the threshold and sill as being the same, but they are, in fact, different. A threshold is the protective cap that sits on top of the sill, while a sill is fastened to the bottom of your door frame, helping keep your home dry and comfortable.
An exterior door with a sill that works properly keeps water, wind and dirt from entering your home. Many exterior doors feature sills that need to be manually adjusted, which means an extra DIY project for you or a call for maintenance, but the Performance Door System comes equipped with a self-adjusting sill that adapts automatically when conditions change over time (like seasonal shrinking and expanding of a door frame caused by weather).
In order to choose the right door, you have to understand the terms you’ll encounter in your search. When choosing your next door, remember the terminology that points to quality, durability and efficiency. With the right knowledge, you’ll feel confident selecting a door that elevates your home’s function, design and comfort level.
Start your online shopping today by taking our Design Your Door quiz or jumping straight to our curated selection of exterior and interior doors.
*Testing performed on a door without glass, results may vary for other door styles.
Whether you want to keep the air in or out of your home, fiberglass exterior doors from Masonite can help.
When it comes to choosing the best interior doors for your space, it's crucial to ensure they align with both the functionality and aesthetic needs of your home.
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