

Panel: The glass and supporting pieces around it together form the panel. A traditional gliding patio door has two panels — one that moves and one that doesn’t.
Frame: The outer structure of a door that holds it in place and connects it with the wall.
Stiles: Vertical pieces of a panel found outside the glass on the left and the right sides of a panel. Also called “side stiles.” On a French door, the side stiles may also be wider than on a contemporary-style panel.
Rails: Horizontal pieces of the panel found outside the glass at the top and the bottom of a panel, and called, respectively, the top rail and the bottom rail. A French door typically has a high bottom rail.
Trim/casing/millwork: Although it’s not technically a part of the door, it’s a key component of its finished look. On the interior, the decorative framing that outlines a door bridging the gap between the door and the wall is called casing. On the exterior, decorative trim around the door is referred to as the “exterior trim.”
Hardware: The handle and lock that allow a door to be moved and secured.
Glazing: The glass in the door panel.
Sill: The horizontal piece at the bottom of a door frame aligning with the floor.





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