Doors 101

Door FAQs

Considering a new door? Masonite is here to help you make the best decision for your home. Start by exploring common questions regarding interior and exterior doors.

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DOES MY EXTERIOR DOOR HAVE TO BE FINISHED?
Yes, all entry doors are required to be finished within 45 days or the warranty will be void. All six sides must be sealed according to Masonite’s finishing instructions. Masonite does offer prefinished doors in some styles.
DOES MASONITE OFFER FIRE-RATED DOORS?
Yes, we offer doors with fire ratings of 20-, 45-, 60- and 90-minutes.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A NEW DOOR?
New doors can do more than improve the aesthetics of your home. Doors can enhance air flow and security, save energy by maintaining heat and air and provide the best acoustical environment for your space.
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Door Glossary

Get a better understanding of your options by familiarizing yourself with common door terms.

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Door Glossary

STILE AND RAIL
The vertical and horizontal pieces that create the foundation of a wood door.
PREHUNG
A pre-cut and assembled unit consisting of a door with preparation for lock hardware that is hung on hinges in a wood frame. The wood frame includes the one or two-piece jamb adjustable or as-ordered width as well as the door stop moldings and casings (trim). Door units other than conventionally hinged are also available.
SLAB
A door panel only, without frame, hinges or hardware. Slabs are less expensive than prehung doors and are good for those buying a replacement door that is the same size as the unit being replaced.
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Get a better understanding of your options by familiarizing yourself with common door terms.

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Transom

The window above a door.

Mull Post

The structural post between the sidelite and the door.

Sidelite

A fixed narrow panel, usually glass, installed next to an exterior door panel for decorative purpose.

Brickmold

The molding around windows and exterior door frames on the exterior-facing material of the building. It serves as an aesthetic boundary between the siding and the frame; most commonly used in pre-hung units.

Door Slab

The door panel itself. Though it is the largest component, the hardware and accessories that surround the slab are just as important to the door’s performance.

Sill

A horizontal beam below the door that supports the frame, prevents the door from swinging through and keeps the elements out.

Parts of a Door

Click any of the numbers below to learn more about specific door parts and components.

Mull Boot

A plastic component that covers the end of the mull post where it meets the sill. Mull boots protect the mull post from water, so they are beneficial in wet climates.

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Parts of a Door Image

Parts of a Door

Click any of the numbers below to learn more about specific door parts and components.

The window above the door

The structural post between the sidelite and the door.

A fixed narrow panel, usually glass, installed next to an exterior door panel for decorative purpose.

The molding around windows and exterior door frames on the exterior-facing material of the building. It serves as an aesthetic boundary between the siding and the frame; most commonly used in pre-hung units.

The door panel itself. Though it is the largest component, the hardware and accessories that surround the slab are just as important to the door’s performance.

A horizontal beam below the door that supports the frame, prevents the door from swinging through and keeps the elements out.

A plastic component that covers the end of the mull post where it meets the sill. Mull boots protect the mull post from water, so they are beneficial in wet climates.

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