Aluminum Door Key Terms

Learn common aluminum door words to benefit your business

By Darcy Chadwick

Aluminum doors come in many styles and sizes, and it can be confusing to know what all the terminology is when it comes to selecting the perfect fit. From window options to installation choices, it is important to know what clients desire. By brushing up on your aluminum door key terms, you can be one step closer to helping your contractors or clients decide what type of door can suit their needs.

Sills

Door sills are found at the bottom of the door frame near the doorway. A sill's function is similar to that of a windowsill, as it directs precipitation away from the house or door. The door sill is positioned closely under the casing and near the jambs.
Try: Check out Endura Products to see examples of aluminum door sills.

Weatherstripping

Placed around the outside of an aluminum storm door, weatherstripping can help protect the inside of a building from precipitation or other weather elements. The weatherstripping material can be made out of foam, plastic or metal, and is used to prevent air from entering the house.
Try: Learn more about weatherstripping, including benefits and options, as well as how it pertains to aluminum doors, at Memtech.

Threshold

A threshold pertains to either a wood or aluminum door that is tapered or beveled on each side. It can be used with exterior or interior door frames and comes in three types: interior, exterior or saddle.
Try: Look to Lowe's to learn more about a threshold and how to replace one.

Pre-hung

A pre-hung door is one that comes installed in a frame. The alternative to a pre-hung aluminum door is a slab door; the pre-hung door is the more expensive option because it is larger and costs more to ship.
Try: Check out information regarding a pre-hung aluminum door at RemodelGuide.

Anodizing

Anodizing changes the texture of aluminum by changing the metal's crystal structure near the surface. This is done to protect and beautify the aluminum door, as it adds a thicker layer to the surface.
Try: Learn more about the process used to anodize aluminum doors at IHC.

Tempered glass

Glass is tempered to make it safer. Specific heat-treated glass is created to form a strong resistance to any sort of break or shatter. Should it break, it will shatter into tinier pieces, making it much safer to handle.
Try: Learn more about how tempered glass works at HowStuffWorks.