Entry Doors and Exterior Doors: Helpful Terms

Looking to invest in front doors, a front entry door with sidelites (sidelights), a storm door or another type of exterior door?  Here's some lingo to help you make an informed decision:

• Inswing (I/S): A door that opens inward.
• Outswing (O/S): A door that opens outward.
• Left Hand: An I/S door with hinges on the left, or an O/S door with hinges on the right. Pro Tip: (Hinge placement refers to the door when viewed from the outside looking into the home).
• Right Hand: An I/S door with hinges on the right, or an O/S door with hinges on the left.
• Lite: A pane of glass in a door.
• Divided Lite: Panes of glass that are divided,or appear to be.
• Grille: Plastic, wooden or metal details that give the appearance of divided lites.
• Caming: Strips for joining segmented glass.
• Brickmould: Molding used around a door (or window) that fills the gap between where the door and the wall of the house meet.
• Slab door: A rectangular slab of wood, composite or steel without hinges or other hardware.
• Prehung door: A complete, ready-to-install door that includes a door slab, hinges and outer frame that fits into a prepared doorway.