Metal Door Key Terms

Learn the basic terms associated with metal doors

By Apryl Beverly

While a metal door may seem like a simple object with little to think twice about, there are many options and important features to look for when choosing metal doors. Finding the right size and style door for your commercial business, industrial plant or home can be easier if you know a few basic terms. Learn the basics when it comes to metal doors, and find out what to look for in door designs and strengths. Using the key terms in a search for the best door for your business can help you save time and money.

Fire door

A fire door is one made to withstand high temperatures, thus preventing fire and smoke from escaping or entering a room. Fire doors are made of high-quality steel designed specifically for industrial uses as well as for the average homeowner.
Try: Read the standards used in creating a fire door at the Steel Door Institute.

Adjustable threshold

An adjustable threshold is a moving seal that can be adjusted up or down to create a tight seal between the metal door and the outer panel. When a seal is able to fluctuate, it can handle humidity, cold, heat and other weather without allowing air to leak through the doorway.
Try: Adjustable threshold is defined in the glossary at Peach Tree Door.

Phosphatized

A door is phosphatized to ensure it will endure weather and not rust. Manufacturers use a chemical process to weatherproof, or phosphatize, metal doors.
Try: Read about phosphatized doors at Dean Steel, manufacturer of hollow metal doors.

Non-Rising-Pin (NRP)

The non-rising pin is a door pin that can't be pulled out. NRPs are used mainly for security reasons so that a door cannot be easily pulled from its hinges.
Try: The non-rising pin is defined in Start Remodeling website's glossary.

Lock reinforcement

Lock reinforcement in metal doors refers to the material used to prep the door for extra security lock measures, such as cylindrical locks, mortise, panic and electrical lock devices.
Try: The lock reinforcement process is explained at R&S Overhead Door Company. It also explains how the reinforcement is used for added security.

Lap seam weld

A lap seam weld is a weld that overlaps, creating one continuous piece without seams. In metal doors, the lap seam weld creates a look of one continuous piece of metal or steel on the door and around the edges.
Try: Read about the lap seam weld available on doors sold at Republic Door.