Glossary of Terms
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Hinges: |
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Hinges are the metal objects that attach your door to the jamb, normally with screws. They can be made from brass, steel, iron or other products.
Jamb: |
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The wood that surrounds the door, and which the hinges are attached to on one side, and which the latch goes into on the other side of the door.
Keyways: |
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The part of the lock mechanism where the key is inserted. Can be changed if needed for security reasons, or changed also if wanted for ease of use, where more than one lock is in existence, and you want all the locks to take the same key.
Knobs: |
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Round part of door handle that you hold with your hand. This can be made of brass, porcelain, steel, glass or other products.
Latch: |
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The latch is the part of the door hardware that moves with the turn of a knob or lever. It slides into the latch plate attached to the door jamb, and holds the door shut or opens it.
Left Hand: |
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Used to describe which way the door is hung on the jamb. Left Hand describes the side of a door the handle is on as it is pulled towards you. As a door is pushed away, this would describe a handle on the opposite side of the door.
(left hand diagram)
Lever: |
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A lever has the same function as a knob, except it is longer and thinner. To open a door, levers are pushed down. Besides the decorative uses of a lever, they are also used in applications where someone is handicapped, and can not grasp a knob very well.
Non-Rising-Pin (NRP): |
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A pin inserted into a hinge that cannot be removed. Used mainly where security is needed, so that the pin cannot be removed, and door removed from opening. On exterior doors which open outward, the pin is on the outside of the building. In this case, these pins may be used more often.