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Hardware Glossary

A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z

 
~A~
Adjustable Backset Adjustable Backset: Mechanism that allows adjusting to fit the most common distances from the door's edge to the center of the knob on pre-drilled doors.
 
~B~
Backplate Backplate: An escutcheon, typically larger than a rosette, that a knob sits on.
Backset Backset: The distance from the edge of the door to the center of the drilled knob or deadbolt hole. 2-3/8" is the most common backset; 2-3/4" is the second most common backset.
Backset - Mortise Backset - Mortise: Mortise locks can come in a variety of backset options; always consider the width of the backplate or rosette when purchasing to avoid overlapping the door's edge.
Bore Bore: The diameter of the drilled holes in a door. 2-1/8" is the most common diameter bore.
 
~C~
Collar Collar: A band, sometimes threaded, that can be used to accommodate doors of different thicknesses when installing an entrance set or deadbolt.
 
~D~
Deadbolt Deadbolt: Locking mechanism most commonly used for entrance doors. Single cylinder deadbolts feature exterior keyways and interior thumb turns, while double cylinder deadbolts feature two keyways.
Door Thickness Door Thickness: The thickness of a door where hardware is to be installed. Most common door thicknesses are 1-3/8" for interior doors, and 1-3/4" for entrance doors. About 10% of entrance doors are 2-1/4" thick.
Dummy Knob Dummy: A knob or lever used on a door with no integral latching mechanism. Commonly used on bi-fold and french doors. Dummy knobs and levers do not require a standard hole to be drilled in the door, as they are attached from each side of the door.
 
~E~
Emergency Egress Emergency Egress: Another term for Interconnect Device. Allows a quick exit from your home in case of fire or other emergency. When installed on a single cylinder entrance set, the deadbolt and latch will retract with the turn of the interior knob or lever.
Escutcheon Escutcheon: Any trim used behind a knob or lever, or trim for keyholes and such.
   
 
~F~
Face Plate Face Plate: The protective covering of the latch or lock system, located in the door.
Finials Finials: Decorative tips found on door hinges and other hardware.
 
~G~
 
~H~
Door Handing Handing: The way a door swings. Determines how latches and bolts need to be installed for proper operation. Needed for certain lever sets, entrance sets, and mortise lock. Left and right hand are most common for homes. For instructions on how to determine the handing of your door, view our Handing Help page.
 
~I~
Interconnect Device Interconnect Device: Another term for Emergency Egress. Allows a quick exit from your home in case of fire or other emergency. When installed on a single cylinder entrance set, the deadbolt and latch will retract with the turn of the interior knob or lever.
 
~J~
Jamb Jamb: The wood frame around the door. The latch catches on a boring in the jamb, often called the dustbox. Hinges are attached on one side to the door and on the other side to the jamb.
 
K~
Keyway Keyway: Where the key is inserted and turned to put the lock bolt into the locked position. Schlage keyways are widely used and can be keyed alike by a locksmith, if desired.
 
~L~
Latch Latch: Moves in or out with the turn of the knob or lever and either allows the door to open or holds the door shut.
Latch Plate Latch Plate: The protective covering for the deadbolt or mortise latch housing, located in the door jamb.
Door Left Handing Left Handing: Used to determine latch mechanism placement for lever sets and mortise lock sets. A door has left handing when the hinges are on the left side and the door swings inward. Always stand on the outside of the door to determine handing.
Door Left Reverse Handing Left Reverse Handing: Used to determine latch mechanism placement for lever sets and mortise lock sets. A door has left reverse handing when the hinges are on the left side and the door swings outward toward you. Reverse handing is most commonly used for restaurants and other businesses. Always stand on the outside of the door to determine handing.
 
~M~
Mortise Lock Set Mortise Lock Set: A box style lock that is installed directly into an opening that has been mortised in the side of the door. A mortise lock houses both the latch and the deadbolt, making bore spacing particularly important. Signature Hardware recommends that mortise lock installation be done by a locksmith.
Mortise Cylinder Mortise Cylinder: A threaded cylinder used specifically for the mortise lock assembly.
 
~N~
   
 
~O~
Offset Hinge

Offset Hinge: Used for cabinets or other furniture pieces where the door projects out from the frame, requiring an offset to accommodate the space between the surface of the cabinet frame and the door.

 
~P~
Passage Function Passage Function: Passage sets are used on doors where no lock system is needed. Interior door sets often have passage function.
Passage Spindle Passage Spindle: The piece of hardware which attached two knobs through a door, allowing them to turn freely.
Privacy Door Set Privacy Function: Privacy sets are used on interior doors where a lock system is needed. Commonly found on bathroom and bedroom doors, sets with privacy function typically lock on only one side and have an emergency release hole on the other.
Privacy Spindle Privacy Spindle: The piece of hardware which attached two knobs through a door, allowing them to turn. Privacy spindles have the capability of allowing turning on one side, while holding the other side stationary to enforce the privacy lock.
 
~Q~
 
~R~
Rosette Rosette: An escutcheon, usually round, that a knob or lever sits on.
Right Handing Right Handing: Used to determine latch mechanism placement for lever sets and mortise lock sets. A door has right handing when the hinges are on the right side and the door swings inward. Always stand on the outside of the door to determine handing.
Right Reverse Handing Right Reverse Handing: Used to determine latch mechanism placement for lever sets and mortise lock sets. A door has right reverse handing when the hinges are on the right side and the door swings outward toward you. Reverse handing is most commonly used for restaurants and other businesses. Always stand on the outside of the door to determine handing.
 
~S~
Spindle Spindle: The piece of hardware which attached two knobs through a door. Comes in different lengths to accommodate different door thicknesses. Threading type determines what kind of knob will fit onto the spindle.
Strike Plate Strike Plate: Attached to the door jamb and houses the latch when the door is closed. Often comes with a lip to protect the door jamb when a door is closed without turning the knob.
 
~T~
Threading Threading: Determines what type of knob can fit onto the spindle. Check this when building your own entrance or interior set from old or replacement plates and knobs.
 
~U~
 
~V~
   
 
~W~
   
 
~X~
   
 
~Y~
   
 
~Z~
 

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