Exterior Doors Key Terms

Learn about exterior doors by understanding key terms
By Marjorie Gilbert Exterior doors have a lot of variety. They can be made of wood, wood composite, steel, fiberglass and more. They can be solid or have glass panels and windows. Understanding the vocabulary will help you decide what exterior doors will work best for your company or home. Learn these key words so that you will be able to make an educated decision.

Exterior doors with raised panels or profiles

Exterior doors with raised panels or profiles are perhaps the simplest design because they are without glass. These doors are often made of wood, and can be stained or unstained, depending on preference. The panel design can vary, from a simple two panel door to an eight panel door.
Try:  Iroko Doors has an explanation of how to make the profiles on an exterior door.

Fiberglass-Composite exterior doors

Exterior doors are increasingly made with materials other than wood. Fiberglass-composite exterior doors can be less expensive than solid wood doors. They are also long lasting and relatively maintenance free.
Try:  Don Vandervort's Home Tips has more information on fiberglass-composite exterior doors.

Sidelites and transoms

Sidelites and transoms refer to the glass panels that are either above or on either side of an exterior door. The transom has three traditional shapes associated with it: an arch or sunburst, a box and an ellipse. The sidelites are generally plain and range in length.
Try:  Lowes has more information and illustrations pertaining to sidelites and transoms.

French doors

French doors are doors in which glass panels, rather than wood or any other material, make up most of the door. The glass can be in any configuration and can even have strips of lead between the individual pieces of glass. They can be hinged or sliding.
Try:  FrenchDoors.net has more information about French doors, their origin and uses.

Dutch door or Dutch split door

A Dutch door is made of a top and bottom portion that can open independently from each other.
Try:  Fine Finish and Home Improvement Love to Know offer information about Dutch doors.

Steel doors

Steel exterior doors can be plain, raised panel doors or made with a glass panel in the center. These doors, especially those with the simpler designs, can be cheaper than wood doors. Most steel doors come with fire ratings. All feature resistance to corrosion and low maintenance.
Try:  Jeld-Wen has some helpful information about steel doors and fire ratings.