Frame Components

Jamb:
The vertical and horizontal frame members surrounding a door opening, into which the door is secured and operated.

Head Jamb:
The horizontal top piece of the door frame.

Side Jamb (Leg):
The vertical members running along each side of the opening.

Rabbet:
A recessed step in the jamb where the door seats when closed. Hardware such as hinges and strikes are typically machined into the jamb adjacent to the rabbet.

Single Rabbet:
A jamb with one recessed step (rabbet) designed to receive a single door, where the door closes against an integral or applied stop.

Double Rabbet:
A jamb with two rabbets, allowing for flexibility in handing or double door applications.

Double Rabbet Equal:
A double rabbet jamb with equal-sized rabbets on both sides; allowing the door to be installed in either direction or accommodating paired door applications.

Double Rabbet Combo:
A double rabbet jamb with one full rabbet and one reduced rabbet, designed to accommodate different door thicknesses (1-3/4″ and 1-3/8”).

Kerf:
A narrow groove cut into the jamb to receive weatherstripping or seals.

Single Rabbet Kerf:
A single rabbet jamb with an integrated kerf for seals.

Stop (Applied / Integral):
The surface the door closes against.

• Applied Stop: Separate piece attached to the jamb
• Integral Stop: Machined directly into the jamb

Jamb Depth:
The width of the jamb, sized to match wall thickness (e.g., 4-9/16", 6-9/16").

Extension Jamb:
Material added to increase jamb depth for thicker walls.

 Trifit Jamb:

A one-piece jamb and casing system designed for fast installation, typically manufactured in MDF or finger-jointed primed material.

Split Jamb:

A jamb manufactured in two interlocking pieces that come together around the wall, allowing the frame to adjust to varying wall thicknesses and eliminate the need for separate casing.

Mull Post:
A vertical structural component used to join multiple door or window units into a single assembly.

Casing:
Finish trim applied to the face of the wall around a frame, concealing installation gaps and providing a finished appearance.

Trim:
A broad category of finish materials used to complete openings, including casing, base, and other architectural details.

Threshold:
The finished bottom piece at the base of an exterior door opening, designed to provide a transition between interior and exterior surfaces and help seal against weather.

Sill:
The bottom horizontal member of a door or frame assembly that provides structural support and a surface for the threshold, door, or glass to rest on.

Transom:
A window positioned above a door that allows natural light to pass into a space while maintaining separation. Transoms are typically fixed but can be designed as operable in certain applications.

Sidelite:
A vertical glazed panel installed alongside a door, allowing natural light into the space while maintaining separation and visibility.

Borrowed Lite:
A non-operable glass opening used to “borrow” light from one space to another, improving visibility and natural lighting while keeping areas separated.

Cased Opening:
An opening finished with trim but without a door installed.

Installation & Alignment

Plumb:
True vertical alignment, where a component is perfectly straight up and down.

Level:
Alignment in the horizontal plane, indicating a surface is even and not pitched.

Square:
A condition where components meet at a true 90° angle, ensuring proper alignment and fit.

Out of Plumb / Level / Square:
Conditions where components are not properly aligned, which can lead to improper fit, inconsistent reveals, and operational issues.

Reveal:
The visible gap between the door and the frame.

Margin:
The actual measured clearance between the door edge and the frame.

Clearance:
The space required between components to allow proper operation and prevent binding.

Consistent Reveal:
Uniform gaps around the door, indicating proper installation and alignment.

Shim / Shimming:
The use of thin materials to adjust and align the frame during installation.

Compression (Forced Fit):
Condition where a frame is installed too tightly into an opening, causing distortion, bowing, or joint stress.

Rough Opening (RO):
The framed opening size in the wall where the door and frame are installed, providing the necessary space for proper fit, alignment, and shimming.

Undercut:
The gap between the bottom of the door and the finished floor.

Wall & Opening Conditions

Drywall:

The finished wall surface applied over framing, which contributes to the final wall thickness and determines the required jamb depth.

Stud:

A vertical framing member within the wall that forms the rough opening and provides structural support for the door frame.

Finished Opening:

The final opening size after drywall, flooring, and finish materials are installed, used to verify proper frame fit and clearances.

Wall thickness:

The total thickness of the wall assembly, including studs, drywall, and finish materials, used to determine the required jamb depth.

Return:

The visible surface between the edge of the jamb and the wall or trim, providing a clean transition from the frame to the finished wall.

Header Stud:

A horizontal structural framing member above a door or window opening that supports the load above.

King Stud / Jack Stud:

Vertical framing members that define and support the rough opening. King studs run full height, while jack studs support the header.

Out of Plane Wall:

A wall condition where the surface is not flat or aligned, which can affect frame fit, reveal consistency, and installation quality.

Finished Floor:

The final floor surface, such as hardwood, tile, or carpet, used to determine door height and undercut.

Wall Overhang:

When the jamb extends past the wall surface.

Proud / Flush / Recessed:

Terms describing how the jamb sits relative to the finished wall surface—proud (extending past), flush (even), or recessed (set back).

Fastener / Anchor Point:

The location where the frame is secured to the surrounding structure, typically at studs or blocking.

Hardware & Machining

Backset (Door):
Distance from the edge of the door to the center of the borehole.

Backset (Jamb):
Distance from the edge of the stop to the start of hardware preparation.

Hinge Mortise:
A recessed cut in the jamb (and door) designed to receive hinges so they sit flush with the surface.

Strike Prep:
Machining in the jamb to receive the strike plate, allowing the latch or lock to properly engage.

Pre-Machined:
Hardware preparation completed at the factory for consistent fit and faster installation.

Field Machined:
Hardware preparation completed on-site to accommodate field conditions or changes.

Door & Frame Configurations

Handing:
The direction a door swings and the location of its hinges, determining how the door is configured and installed.

Pre-Hung:
A door that is factory-installed into a frame, complete with hinges and prep, ready for installation as a single unit.

Knock Down (KD):
A frame shipped in separate components for assembly in the field, allowing easier transport and flexibility during installation.

Set (Jamb Set):
A complete frame package for a door opening.

Assembly (Unit):
A complete system consisting of the door, frame, and associated components installed together.

Inactive Door:
The fixed or secondary leaf in a pair of doors, typically secured and not used for regular operation.

Flush Bolt:
A concealed bolt installed in the edge of the inactive door to secure it at the top and/or bottom.

Astragal:
A component typically applied to the inactive door in a pair, used to seal or cover the gap between doors and improve performance.

Materials & Construction

FJ (Finger Jointed):
Wood joined together using interlocking “fingers” for stability and efficiency.

MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard):
Engineered wood commonly used for paint-grade applications.

SCL (Structural Composite Lumber):
Engineered wood product designed for strength and consistency.

Solid Wood:
Natural lumber with no engineered composition.

Paint Grade:
Material intended to be painted like Poplar, Maple, Birch.

Stain Grade:
Material selected for visible wood grain and finishing.

Fire-Rated Components

Fire-Rated Jamb:
A frame tested and certified to resist fire for a specified duration.

Intumescent Seal:
Material that expands under heat to seal gaps during a fire.

Smoke Seal:
Seal designed to prevent smoke infiltration.

Label:
Certification tag indicating compliance with fire-rating standards.

Manufacturing & Quality

Tolerance:
Acceptable variation in size or dimension during manufacturing.

Allowance:
Designed space for proper function (e.g., door clearances).

Net Size:
The actual finished size of the door or frame.

Lead Time:
The time required from order placement to shipment.

Custom vs. Stock:

• Custom: Built to project-specific requirements
• Stock: Standard sizes and configurations kept in inventory

Wood Movement & Characteristics

Moisture Content (MC):
The amount of moisture present in wood.

Warp (Includes Bow, Cup, Twist):
Distortion in wood due to moisture or stress.

• Bow: Curve along the length
• Cup: Curve across the width
• Twist: Rotation of the ends

Crown:
A natural curvature along the length of a board.

Final Note

Victory Millwork products are manufactured to precise tolerances. Proper installation—including ensuring plumb, level, and square conditions—is critical to achieving optimal performance and long-term durability.