A closer look
Know your door.
Learn the names, see how the parts fit, and ask the right questions before approving your order.
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Rectangular top rail. Clean, versatile, and the most common configuration for modern and traditional entries.
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Browse all 16 topics
General planning guidance. Your quote and the selected manufacturer's documentation establish the actual specifications and requirements.
- Face and core
- The visible wood and the internal construction are separate specifications. Ask for both, including whether the design uses solid lumber, veneers or an engineered core.
- Wood and grain
- White oak, walnut, mahogany and alder suggest different palettes. Compare grain, knots, cut and finish on a physical sample when available. A species name alone does not define the appearance.
- Profile and thickness
- Raised, flat, flush and plank faces create different rhythms. Confirm slab thickness and edge details together with the frame and hardware.
- Grain direction
- Vertical or horizontal grain, book matching and rift-sawn material can change the composition. Record the intended direction on the drawing.
- Appearance
- Clear, frosted, satin-etched, reeded and decorative glass are useful directions to discuss. Confirm the actual glass type and available sizes.
- Specification
- Ask the manufacturer to confirm glazing construction, coatings, safety requirements and suitability for the project's location and exposure.
- Whole opening
- Review the amount and position of glass with the door panels, sidelights and transom.
- True divided lite (TDL)
- Separate glass pieces sit between dividing bars, often called muntins.
- Simulated divided lite (SDL)
- Applied bars create a divided appearance over a larger glass unit. Ask whether the proposed system includes internal spacer bars.
- Width and profile
- Square, putty and ogee profiles give the grid a different character. Compare muntin width and alignment across the full opening.
- Detail
- Ovolo, beaded and square profiles change how the edge catches light. A section drawing makes this easier to compare than a front elevation alone.
- Coordination
- Consider the nearby casing, cabinetry and interior doors when choosing the profile.
- Proportion
- Rails run horizontally; stiles run vertically. Their widths determine how much of the face belongs to the frame, panels and glass.
- Approval
- Review top, bottom and intermediate rail widths on the drawing. The manufacturer should confirm the construction and size limits.
- Jamb depth
- Jamb depth is different from slab thickness. Have the installer confirm the wall build-up, opening and required frame dimensions.
- Materials
- Confirm the jamb material and construction with the selected door system.
- Casing
- Profiled brickmold, flat trim and minimal trim details produce different edges around the opening. Coordinate these with the exterior finish.
- System
- Confirm the threshold profile, material, finish and any adjustment mechanism with the manufacturer.
- Installation
- Ask the installer to coordinate sill pan, flashing, drainage and finished floor levels with the selected system's instructions.
- Color and construction
- Ask which spacer finishes are available and how they look beside the wood, glazing bars and hardware. Confirm the complete glass specification rather than choosing by color alone.
- Operation
- Handle sets, architectural pulls, multi-point locks and smart locks have different preparation needs. Confirm compatibility with the selected slab and frame.
- Preparation
- Have the hardware schedule identify the model, finish, handing and required machining before the door drawing is approved.
- Exposed or concealed
- Exposed hinges become part of the hardware palette. Concealed hinges create a quieter edge when the door is closed.
- Pivot systems
- A pivot changes the location of the opening axis. Confirm hardware capacity, clearances and installation requirements with the manufacturer and installer.
- Composition
- Sidelights sit beside the door; a transom sits above it. Rectangular or arched shapes can change the overall balance of the entrance.
- Alignment
- Review sightlines, panel proportions and divided-lite alignment across the complete opening.
- Coordination
- Confirm how the door, frame and adjacent glazing are supplied and assembled before approving dimensions.
- Design
- Recessed panels, shadow grooves, metal inlays and vertical reveals create different patterns of light and shade.
- Drawing
- Ask for the depth and spacing to be shown in a detail or section, particularly where a line continues across several doors.
- Stain or paint
- Stain leaves grain visible; paint establishes a more uniform color. Confirm whether finishing is included, who applies it and which sample is approved.
- Texture and sheen
- Matte, satin or gloss, filled or open grain, and brushed or distressed textures can read very differently in the home's light.
- Exterior care
- Follow the selected manufacturer's finishing and maintenance requirements. Ask how sun, moisture and shelter affect the finish choice and warranty.
- Scale
- Consider the door height and width alongside ceiling height, circulation and surrounding windows. A single leaf, pair or pivot creates a different composition.
- Measurements
- Keep preliminary design dimensions separate from the final verified opening. The manufacturer and installer should confirm the approved sizes and tolerances.
- Arched or radius tops
- Distinguish an arched slab from an arched panel or a transom above a rectangular door. They require different openings and drawings.
- Dutch doors
- The leaf is divided into upper and lower sections. Review the operation, meeting detail and hardware for the intended interior or exterior location.
- Oversized or pivot doors
- Bring a reference or sketch. Feasibility, hardware, dimensions and installation requirements need to be reviewed for the specific design.
- Site conditions
- Share the town or region, elevation if known, orientation, overhang and exposure to sun, wind, rain or snow.
- Confirm in writing
- Ask which construction, glazing, finish and maintenance requirements apply to the selected door. Review the manufacturer's warranty for that location and exposure.
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