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Glossary of common architectural ironmongery terms.
2 LEVER / 3 LEVER / 5 LEVER – Refers to the number of levers used in a lock mechanism. The more levers used
the more secure the lock is.
4 / 6 / 8 TO THE INCH – The number of stitches per inch.
5 PIN / 6 PIN / 10 PIN – Refers to the number of pins used in a cylinder lock mechanism. The more pins used
the more secure the lock is.
ACTIVE DOOR – The door leaf in a pair of doors which opens first and one to which the locking mechanism is
fitted. The other door in the pair is known as the inactive or slave door.
AMALFINE™ – The trade name for Turnstyle’s unique range of composite blends.
AMERICAN CYLINDER – The type of cylinder used with several types of multi point lock sets in the USA. These
cylinders are attached to the escutcheon and do not vary in length, but the tail piece length varies according to
the door thickness.
ASTRAGAL – A moulding or strip attached to the active leaf of a pair of doors and overlapping the inactive leaf.
AUTOMATIC CLOSING – Otherwise known as self-closing. A door fitted with a closer or other device which
removes the need for manual closing.
BACKCHECK – The resistance provided by a door closer as a door is opened.
BACKPLATE – The backplate is the plate on which a set of lever lock or lever latch door handles is mounted for
fixing to the door surface.
BACKSET – The horizontal distance measured from the outside face of the forend to the centre of the keyway
(or cylinder) or to the centre of the follower.
BACK TO BACK – Fixing configuration where a pull handle is fitted on both sides of a door using a concealed
back to back spindle.
BARREL BOLT – A standard door bolt with a round shoot which runs through a continuous barrel or guide
attached to the backplate. Available in a wide range of sizes and metal finishes.
BATHROOM LOCK – A bathroom lock normally has two operational elements. A sprung latch bolt, operated by
handles to open / close the door from either side. Plus a deadbolt operated by a knob or thumb turn from the
inside to lock the door. Usually the opposite end of the thumb turn, on the outside of the door, includes an
emergency release.
BI-FOLD DOOR – A door with two or more sets of hinges, the additional set(s) allows the door to have an
accordion action when opened.
BI-PARTING DOORS – A term used to describe a pair of sliding doors that meet in the centre of an opening and
then open to opposite sides.
BOLT THROUGH FIXINGS – A bolt fixing used to secure one handle / knob through the door and onto the
corresponding handle / knob on the other side of the door. Often supplied instead of wood screws, they
provide an excellent fix as when the handle is pulled the force is against the handle on the other side rather
than against the screws in the door.
BOLT THROUGH HOLES – Small holes in a lock or latch case to either side of the follower which allow fixing
bolts to be passed through the case for securing lever handles / door knobs.
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BONING – The process for repairing small bruises in leather. Rubbing the leather in small circular movements
with a boning tool or the back of a spoon will cause the natural oils within the leather to come to the surface
thus removing any scratches or dents.
BUTT HINGE – The most popular type of hinge for domestic and commercial use, consisting of two equal leaves
connected by a knuckle and hinge pin. One leaf is morticed into the door frame and the other into the door.
When measuring hinges (e.g. 4” x 3” or 100mm x 75mm) the first measurement is the height of the hinge. The
second measurement is the width of the two leaves in the open position.
CABIN HOOK – A hook on a small backplate and an eye to hold a door in the open position. The hook should be
fitted to the wall, and the eye to the door at the appropriate height. The ‘silent pattern’ variety has a knuckle
swivel joint which prevents any rattling or potential damage to the wall surface when the hook is not engaged.
CABINET ROSE – A back plate behind a cabinet knob or pull.
CASE SIZE – The size of a lock case measured from the face plate to the rear of the lock case.
CASEMENT FASTENER – A pivoted fastener used to open and close a casement window. The fastener is shaped
like a handle and has a tongue which fits into a locking plate on the window frame. The locking plate required
will vary depending on the style of the window e.g. hook plate for flush windows where the hook plate is
mounted on the frame, or for a pair of windows without a central mullion. Mortice plate for a recessed window
where the fastener locks into the frame.
CASEMENT STAY – The casement stay partners the casement fastener in wooden casement windows. The stay
is fitted horizontally at the bottom of the window and is used to hold the window open at varying angles.
CASEMENT WINDOW – A casement window is a hinged window (single or pair) which opens outwards and is
normally opened and closed by a casement fastener (window handle), and a casement stay which can hold the
window open at different angles.
CENTRE TO CENTRE – The measurement between the centre of one fixing point and the centre of another fixing
point. This is the standard method used for determining sizes of pull handles and cabinet handles.
CLOSER SIZE – A numerical value related to the applied force of a door closer, with a larger number being a
stronger force.
COORDINATOR – A device used on a pair of self-closing doors designed to cause the inactive leaf to close first.
COUNTERBORE – To cut a hole that allows the head of a bolt or screw to sit flush with or lie below the surface.
COUNTERSINK – To cut a tapered recessed that allows the head of a screw to lie flush with a surface.
CREMONE BOLT – A vertical bolt used to secure double casement doors or windows. It has two half bolts that
slide in opposite directions at the same time. Sometimes known as an espagnolette bolt.
DEADBOLT – A lock which is designed to be morticed into the door and operated by a spindle and thumb turn
rather than a key.
DEADLOCK – A deadlock is a standard lock operated only by a key which throws a square ended deadbolt into a
keep or strike plate on the door frame in order to secure the door. Deadlocks are available in both mortice and
rim variants. In some models the deadlock is operated by a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the
inside.
DELAYED ACTION – Applied to a door closer, this is a time lapse that can be preset before closing takes place.
DOOR CHAIN – A security device that allows the door to be part opened to see who is on the other side.
DOOR FURNITURE – A catch all term to cover the additional items required to operate a lock or latch.
DOOR SECURITY BOLT – A bolt fitted into the door which can only be opened from one side with a splined key.
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DOOR STOP – A device to limit the opening swing of a door. Also, the part of a door frame against which the
door closes.
DOOR SWING – The direction and degree to which a door opens.
DOOR VIEWER – A device with one or more lenses, mounted in a door at eye level, which allows a limited view
through a door (interior to exterior).
DOUBLE ACTION DOOR – A door equipped with hardware that permits it to swing to either side of the plane of
its frame.
DOUBLE ACTION SPRING HINGE – A device for hanging a door, permitting the door to swing in either direction
and return to a closed position.
DOUBLE CROSS – A decorative style of stitching for leather based products.
DUST BOX – A box to line the bolt cavity behind a strike plate.
EDGE PULL – Morticed into the leading edge of a pocket door. Used to retrieve the door from its pocket.
ELECTRIC STRIKE – An electrical device that replaces a regular lock strike and allows opening of the door from a
remote location or by special access equipment.
ELECTROPLATING – The coating of metal by the action of an electric current passing through a chemical
compound solution.
ESCUTCHEON – Otherwise known as a keyhole cover, escutcheons are fitted over / around the keyhole to
match the rest of the door furniture.
ESPAGNOLETTE BOLT / LOCK – A window or door fastening which has a bolt running vertically the full height of
the door / window, operated by a centrally positioned handle. Also known as a multi point lock because the
bolts shoot vertically and horizontally into the door or window frame when operated.
EURO PROFILE – A cylinder lock shape commonly used throughout Europe. The Euro profile is an oversized
large key hole shaped cylinder.
FACEPLATE – The visible part of a latch or lock mechanism once it has been morticed into the door, through
which the latch or bolt(s) protrude. Maybe an integral part of the case or a detachable thin plate.
FANLIGHT CATCH – A fastener designed specifically for inward opening fanlight windows (horizontal pivot
window or a window hinged along the bottom edge). The catch includes a ring, and when pulled, the ring
releases a spring catch.
FAUX LEATHER – A material that looks like leather but is actually made out of other materials.
FLUSH PULL – Recessed pulls used on a sliding door. Minimal or zero projection from the face of the door.
FOLLOWER – The part of the lock or latch which, when turned by a spindle, operates the bolt. The square hole
is usually 8 x 8mm to suit a standard spindle which extends from the handle to the follower. On a bathroom
lock there is often a second follower to accept a spindle from a thumb turn, which controls the deadbolt. The
thumb turn may have a 5 x 5mm hole to accept a 5mm spindle.
FOOT BOLT – A bolt designed for attachment to the bottom of a door. Release of the trigger permits the spring
to move the bolt into the locking position. Usually the bolt is controlled by a trigger, which holds the bolt
against a spring.
FOREND – The part of a mortice lock or latch through which the bolt(s) protrude, and by which the lock or latch
is screwed to the door.
FRENCH DOOR – A door with glass panes throughout its length, usually with narrow stiles.
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FRICTION HINGE / STAY – A mechanism with in built friction functioning as a hinge for casement windows.
FULL DUMMY – A set of door levers or knobs that are inoperable and function as push / pull handles only.
Typically in conjunction with roller catches.
GLASS PREPARATION – A term to describe any holes or notches that must be made on a glass door before
toughening. These holes may be to accept through bolts, back to back spindles etc.
GRAND MASTER KEY – The key which operates two or more separate groups of locks, which are each operated
by a different master key.
GRUB SCREW – A small threaded screw with no external head. It is inserted into location by means of an
integral hexagon / allen socket for driving with a key. Commonly used to help provide a secure fit for lever
handles and knobs. On the underside of a handle to help it fix onto a spindle.
HANDED – Hardware that is manufactured only for the application on doors with a specific direction or
orientation.
HARDWARE SCHEDULE – A listing of the door hardware used on a particular job, it includes the types of
hardware, manufacturers, locations, finishes and sizes. It should also include a keying schedule specifying how
each locking device is to be keyed.
HINGE STILE – An ordinary door has two stiles. The door stile to which the hinges are fixed is the hinge stile.
HOLD OPEN – A door closer, or separate device which allows the door to be retained in the open position.
HOOK BOLT – A lock bolt shaped in the general outline of a hook. Normally used on sliding doors or where
spreading of the frame and door is a possible attack.
INACTIVE DOOR – Also known as the slave leaf. The door of a pair which is secondary in usage and is normally
locked by surface or flush bolts.
JAMB – The vertical side member of a door or window frame.
KEEP – Alternative word for a staple or strike plate i.e. the part of the lock which receives the bolt and secures
the door.
KEYED ALIKE – Two or more locks or cylinders which have the same combination and are operated by the same
key. KA is often used as an abbreviation.
KEYED TO DIFFER – A group of locks or cylinders each of which is keyed differently from the others.
KICK PLATE – A protective plate mounted on the bottom of a door to prevent damage.
KNUCKLE – A term used to describe the joint of a hinge.
LACQUER – Lacquer is the general term for a hard and durable coating which can be coloured or clear. More
specifically, lacquer is made up of a resin which is dissipated in a quick drying solvent. To distinguish lacquer
from varnish, the general rule ‘if you spray it, its lacquer – if you brush it, it’s varnish’ is applied.
LATCH – A latch is a bevelled, spring loaded bolt commonly used on both external and internal doors to secure
a door in the closed position i.e. closed but not necessarily locked. A latch is usually operated by a pair of lever
handles or door knobs.
LATCHING SPEED – The final closing speed of a door just prior to closing, usually determined by the closing
device.
LEVER ACTION FLUSH BOLT – A flush bolt designed to be morticed into either the leading edge of the door or
the door face. The lever is also in a recess within the bolt to achieve the flush surface. Commonly used to
secure the inactive leaf in a pair of doors.
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LEVER LATCH – Door handle on a backplate variation which defines a plain backplate with no key hole.
LEVER LOCK – Door handle on a backplate variation which defines a backplate with a key hole cut into the
plate.
LIFT OFF HINGE – A hinge having only two knuckles, to one of which the pin is fastened permanently, the other
containing the pinhole, whereby the two parts of the hinge can easily be separated. These hinges are handed.
LIFT & SLIDE – Large glazed sliding doors. Lift and slide doors create a moving wall of glass.
LOCK CENTRE – The distance measured from the centre of the follower to the centre of the keyway or cylinder.
LOCK STILE – The stile on the free edge of a door that the lock is fitted into.
LOOSE PIN HINGE – A hinge having a removable pin to permit the two leaves of the hinge to be separated.
MAGNETIC CATCH – A cupboard catch that uses a magnetized strike to hold the door closed.
MASTER KEY – A key that opens every one of a designated set of locks.
MEETING STILE – The vertical edge of a door or window, in a pair, which is adjacent to the other door or
window.
MORTICE – A hole or pocket cut into a door or window to accommodate a lock or latch mechanism.
MORTICE CYLINDER – Mechanisms that are threaded into mortice locks, secured by a set screw through the
edge of the lock and varying in length for different door thicknesses.
MORTICE LOCK – A mortice is a recess or pocket cut into the leading edge of a timber or metal door. A mortice
lock is fitted into the recess which is cut into the door edge. Once fitted the only visible part of the lock is the
faceplate or forend when the door is in the open position.
MULLION – A vertical element that forms a division between units of a window, door or screen.
MULTI POINT LOCK – A lock comprising of more than one locking point between the door leaf and the door
frame, interlinked and centrally operated. Lever handle generally require to be supplied unsprung for this type
of locking mechanism.
NIGHTLATCH – A nightlatch is normally rim style (surface mounted) and has a bevelled spring loaded latch bolt
which secures the door closed. Usually operated by a key from the outside and turnpiece inside. There is often
a snib which can hold back the latch. If being used on the external door of a property it is recommended that
the night latch is used in conjunction with a mortice deadlock.
OPENING SIZE – The size of a door frame opening, measured horizontally between jamb rebates and vertically
between the head rebate and the finished floor level. The opening size is usually the nominal size and is equal
to the actual door size plus clearances.
OVAL PROFILE – A term referring to a cylinder lock shape. The oval profile is a large oval (lozenge) shaped
cylinder.
PARALLEL STITCH – A style of stitching for leather based products. This is the standard for the Turnstyle range.
PARLIAMENT HINGE – A parliament hinge is a wide scalloped butt hinge designed so that a door may swing
through 180 degrees and have clearance over projecting architraves or skirting boards. Parliament hinges and
projection hinges both provide this clearance benefit. Projection hinges have a greater load bearing capacity.
Parliament hinges look better but sacrifice some of the load bearing capacity because of the scalloped design
and shortened knuckle. Check the weight of the door before specifying.
PASSAGE – A non locking set with operable lever handles or knobs. Typically used on doors that do not require
privacy or security.
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PATCH FITTING – A small mechanical fixing for glass doors to allow clamps or pivots to be attached.
PATINA – A natural process whereby the original finish develops character as it ages.
PATIO – This is a lock set with operable handles that is locked by a turn piece from the interior side but has no
keyed access from the exterior.
POCKET DOOR – A sliding door that slides into a pocket or cavity so that the door appears to disappear into the
wall.
PRE-BORE – A system commonly used in North America. A pre bored door is supplied with a face and edge
bore and requires a specific type of hardware.
PRIVACY LATCH – A mortice tubular latch that can be locked by depressing a push button on the internal lever
handle and release by means of hole on the external rose. Available as an option for all Turnstyle Design lever
handles.
PROJECTION – The distance measured from the surface on which the item is mounted to the furthest point of
the item from the surface.
PUSH PLATE – A plate placed on the surface of a door to protect it from wear and soiling.
REBATE KIT – Rebate kits are required when you wish to fit a mortice lock to a pair of doors which have rebated
meeting stiles. Stepped forends enable the body of the lock to be correctly morticed into the centre of the stile.
REBATED DOOR – A door having an edge contoured with an offset, creating two surfaces which form an
overlap at their butting edge. When used in pairs any lock fitted must have components to suit this design.
RESTRICTED KEY – A key that cannot be duplicated and distributed without the owners consent.
REVERSIBLE LOCK – A lock with components that can be readily adapted to enable the lock to suit doors of
either hand, opening in or out.
RIM LOCK – A rim lock is surface mounted on the inside face of a door.
ROLLER LATCH – A sprung roller bolt system used to hold a door shut. The spring is usually adjustable to allow
a variation in the tension holding the door and therefore the level of force required to open it. Designed to
operate with a simple push / pull handle or dummy lever handles / knobs.
ROSE – A small shaped plate on which the door handle or door knob is mounted, mainly to enhance the
appearance and improve the fitting of the door furniture on the door.
SASH WINDOW – A window with one or two sashes which can be slid vertically to make an opening.
SASHLOCK – A sashlock is a mortice lock which combines a latch (operated by a pair of lever handles or door
knobs) to open / close the door, and a key operated deadbolt which locks / unlocks the door.
SCANDINAVIAN FIXING – Lever handles are configured with offset thru bolt locations. Rather the being set at
12 and 6 or 3 and 9 o’clock the thru bolts are set at approximately 2 and 8 o’clock.
SINGLE CROSS – A decorative style of stitching for leather based products.
SINGLE DUMMY – An inoperable lever handle or knob on one side of the door. Typically used with roller latch.
SLAVE DOOR – Also known as the inactive leaf. The door of a pair which is secondary in usage and is normally
locked by surface or flush bolts.
SPINDLE – A square metal bar that passes through the door connecting the handles or knobs together and
operates the latch or lock mechanism.
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SPLIT SPINDLE – A multi-piece spindle, which allows a pair of levers or knobs to be installed on one side of a
door, and be operated independently of the other (requires special split follower locks).
SPRUNG – A term used to indicate that a door handle or knob is fitted with a spring in the backplate or rose to
return the lever / knob once released.
STRIKE PLATE – A flat metal plate fixed to the door frame into which the bolt or bolts shoot. There is a shaped
or bevelled lip on one side to guide the springbolt. A strike plate is always provided with a mortice lock or latch
and with rim locks on an outward opening door.
SWAN NECKED – A bolt with a cranked end for outward opening doors.
THROW – The distance that a lock bolt will protrude from the face of the lock when fully extended.
THUMB LATCH – A thumb latch is a piece of door furniture whose assembly is operated by the thumb to
facilitate the opening of the door. It is a little simpler and more old fashioned than modern door handles. A
good choice for rustic settings.
THUMB TURN – The name give to any small fitting which is gripped between thumb and finger for turning.
TURN AND RELEASE – Used with a bathroom mortice lock to operate the deadbolt instead of a key, in order to
provide privacy. The bathroom door is locked from the inside by the thumb turn. From the outside a coin
release will unlock the door in case of emergency.
TILT AND TURN – Type of opening window which hinges at the side and the bottom and can thus be opened in
two different ways.
TOP HUNG – A casement window that is hinged at the top.
TUBULAR MORTICE LATCH – A tubular latch is a compact and efficient latch, morticed into the door and
operated by a pair of lever handles or door knobs. Ideal for internal doors which need to be closed but are
never locked.
U.S. CYLINDER – The type of cylinder used with several types of multi point lock sets in the USA. These cylinders
are attached to the escutcheon and do not vary in length, but the tail piece length varies according to the door
thickness.
UNSPRUNG – A term used to indicate that a door handle or knob is not fitted with a spring in the backplate or
rose. Therefore the handle or knob will spin freely. An usprung handle / knob will require a heavy sprung latch
or lock. Unsprung lever handles are also used with multi point locks.
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