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Industry Terms & Definitions

Tools and information to help with your project

Whether you're a homeowner planning your first renovation or a builder placing an order, knowing the right terminology makes the process easier. Browse our glossary to get familiar with common terms for stairs, doors, and trim.

Stair & Railing Terms

Balusters

The vertical parts of a railing.

Box Stair

A stair that will be "boxed in" by walls when installed.

Bullnose

The rounded edge on a stair tread.

Cove Moulding

A narrow trim used to cover the seams where the tread and riser meet.

Gooseneck

The piece of rail used to make a sharp rise to a landing newel or higher section of railing.

Newel

The vertical post, usually at the beginning and/or end of a railing.

Newel Attachment Kit

Metal plates and screws for attaching the newel post at the base.

Nosing

The part of a stair tread that extends past the riser.

Open Stair

The treads and risers run out past the stringers and will not be closed in by walls.

Rise

The vertical measurement from the top of one tread to the top of the next tread.

Riser

The vertical component of a stair which, along with stringers, supports each tread.

Rosette

A transitional element used in corners of door and window casing and also used to securely attach the railing to the wall.

Run

The horizontal measurement that tells how much distance is available for your stairs to use.

Stringer

The sides of a stair that holds the treads and risers in place.

Turnout

The piece of a railing that allows the rail to change direction.

Volute

The decorative curved piece of rail at the start.

Winder Treads

These treads resemble pieces of a pie that are stacked in a way that allows a stair to make a sharp turn when space is an issue.

Wood Plug

These are used to hide screws that are used in railing assemblies. Plugs can be flat to the surface or have a rounded top. The rounded plugs are referred to as "Mushroom Plugs".

Door Terms

Bifold Door

A door that is hinged in the middle and slides on tracks.

Brick Moulding

The exterior trim that is applied on the exterior of the door unit to cover the connection point between the door frame and the wall stud where the door unit is installed.

Core

The innermost layer or center section of the door.

French Door

A door with glass panes throughout its length. A French door could be a pair or not.

Jambs

The surrounding wood frame to which a door is hinged to create a door unit. It also allows the door to be installed into a wall.

Lites

Refers to the glass of doors. Ex: A "9-lite" door would have a grid that creates 9 squares of glass.

Panels

The part of the door which is raised above or sunk below the level of the rest of the door to create depth.

Plinth Block

The decorative block at the base of door trim.

Rails

The horizontal components of the door.

Rough Opening

An opening in a wall for a door or window.

Sidelites

Narrow, vertical windows on one or both sides of an exterior door.

Sill/Threshold

The bottom piece of a door frame. Usually made from aluminum or wood.

Sticking

The profile (ovalo or square) of the edge of the stile or rail that gives it definition and allows it to hold panels.

Stiles

The vertical components of a door. Together, the stiles and rails form the frame of the door slab.

Stop

Limits the door's opening swing. It is part of the frame and the door rests on it when closed.

Sweep

A form of weatherstripping attached to the bottom of a door that seals the opening.

T-Astragal

A profile of material and weatherstripping that covers the seam between doors in a two-door system.

Threshold/Sill

The bottom piece of a door frame. Usually made from aluminum or wood.

Transom

A mounted piece of glass or wood above the door unit.

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