Hardware Glossary

Learn common door hardware, lock, cabinet hardware, hinge, drawer slide, lighting, measurement, finish, and commercial hardware terms.

Hardware terminology can vary by manufacturer and application. Always review the dimensions, specifications, installation instructions, and compatibility information for the individual product before ordering.

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Door Hardware Terms

Backset

The distance from the edge of a door to the center of the bore hole for a knob, lever, or deadbolt. Common residential backsets are 2-3/8″ and 2-3/4″. The backset of the replacement hardware must match the door preparation. Learn more in our door backset measuring guide.

Bore Hole

The large round hole drilled through a door for a knob, lever, deadbolt, or other lock hardware. It may also be called the cross bore. Many residential locksets are designed for a 2-1/8″ bore hole.

Cross Bore

Another name for the large hole drilled through the face of a door to accept a lockset or deadbolt. The cross bore intersects the smaller edge bore that holds the latch or bolt.

Edge Bore

The smaller hole drilled into the edge of a door for the latch or deadbolt mechanism. A common residential edge-bore diameter is 1″, although requirements vary by product.

Door Thickness

The measurement from one face of a door to the other. Many residential locksets fit doors between 1-3/8″ and 1-3/4″ thick, while commercial and specialty doors may require different hardware or a thick-door kit.

Handing

The direction in which a door swings and the side on which its hinges are located. Hardware may be left-handed, right-handed, left-hand reverse, right-hand reverse, or reversible. Handing is especially important when choosing levers, mortise locks, exit devices, and some door closers. Learn how to determine door handing before ordering handed hardware.

Reversible

Hardware that can be configured for either a left-handed or right-handed door. Reversible hardware reduces the need to select a specific handing before installation.

Door Jamb

The vertical portion of the door frame that surrounds the door opening. Hinges attach to one jamb, while the strike plate is normally installed on the opposite jamb.

Door Stop

A device that limits how far a door can open or helps prevent the door and hardware from striking a wall. Common types include wall-mounted, floor-mounted, baseboard, hinge-pin, magnetic, and overhead door stops.

Door Holder

Hardware designed to hold a door in an open position. Door holders may be mechanical, magnetic, kick-down, floor-mounted, or incorporated into a commercial door closer or overhead stop.

Door Viewer

A small optical device installed through an exterior door that allows someone inside to see visitors outside. Door viewers are available for different door thicknesses and viewing angles.

Kick Plate

A protective plate installed near the bottom of a door to reduce damage from shoes, carts, luggage, and everyday traffic. Kick plates are commonly used on commercial, institutional, and high-traffic residential doors.

Push Plate

A protective plate installed where users push a door open. It helps protect the door surface from fingerprints, scratches, and wear.

Pull Plate

A door plate with an attached pull handle. Pull plates are often used on commercial doors, restaurant doors, utility rooms, and other openings that do not require a turning latch.

Flush Pull

A recessed pull installed nearly even with the surface of a door. Flush pulls are commonly used on pocket doors, sliding doors, bypass doors, and cabinets where projecting hardware would interfere with movement.

Door Sweep

A strip installed along the bottom of a door to help close the gap between the door and threshold. Door sweeps can help reduce drafts, light, dust, insects, and moisture.

Threshold

The horizontal component located at the bottom of a doorway. It provides a transition between floor surfaces and may work with a door sweep or weather seal to help close the bottom gap.

Weatherstripping

Material installed around a door or window opening to reduce air, moisture, dust, and sound passing through gaps. Common types include adhesive seals, compression seals, door-bottom seals, and perimeter gasketing.

Locks, Latches and Keying Terms

Latch

The spring-loaded component that extends from the edge of a door into the strike plate to keep the door closed. Turning a knob or lever retracts the latch so the door can open.

Latch Bolt

The beveled, spring-operated portion of a latch that engages the strike plate. Its beveled edge allows the door to close without manually retracting the latch.

Deadbolt

A locking bolt that extends into the door frame and is not spring-loaded. A deadbolt is operated with a key, thumbturn, keypad, or electronic control and is commonly used to provide additional security on exterior doors. Shop deadbolts and exterior door locks.

Single-Cylinder Deadbolt

A deadbolt operated by a key on the exterior side and a thumbturn on the interior side. This is a common configuration for residential exterior doors.

Double-Cylinder Deadbolt

A deadbolt that requires a key on both the exterior and interior sides. Local building, fire, and life-safety requirements should be reviewed before using a double-cylinder deadbolt because keyed interior operation can affect emergency egress.

One-Sided Deadbolt

A deadbolt with an operating thumbturn or mechanism on the interior side and little or no visible hardware on the exterior. It is sometimes called a half deadbolt.

Electronic Deadbolt

A deadbolt that can be operated using a keypad, touchscreen, mobile app, credential, or smart-home system. Many electronic deadbolts also include a traditional key cylinder or another backup-entry method.

Strike Plate

A metal plate installed on the door frame that receives the latch bolt or deadbolt. The strike plate helps guide the latch and can reinforce the frame around the opening.

Full-Lip Strike

A strike plate with an extended curved lip that helps guide the latch into the opening. Full-lip strikes are commonly used with residential knobs and levers.

Deadbolt Strike

A strike plate designed to receive a deadbolt. It normally has a larger opening and may use longer screws or a separate reinforcement component for added frame support.

Dust Box

A small box installed behind a strike plate. It helps create a finished appearance by concealing the opening in the door frame and may help keep debris out of the strike cavity.

Cylinder

The part of a lock that accepts a key and contains the components that recognize the correct key. Common types include key-in-knob cylinders, mortise cylinders, rim cylinders, and interchangeable cores.

Keyway

The shape of the opening in a lock cylinder into which the key is inserted. A key must have a compatible profile to enter the keyway.

Keyed Alike

A keying arrangement in which two or more locks operate with the same key. This can reduce the number of keys needed for a home, office, or property.

Keyed Different

A keying arrangement in which each lock operates with its own individual key. A key for one lock will not normally operate the other locks in the group.

Master Key

A key designed to operate multiple locks that may also have their own individual change keys. Master-key systems are commonly used in commercial buildings, multifamily properties, schools, and managed facilities.

Change Key

The regular operating key for an individual lock or a specific group of locks within a master-key system.

Control Key

A special key used to remove or install an interchangeable core. It is not normally used to lock or unlock the door.

Interchangeable Core

A removable lock core that can be replaced without removing the entire lock from the door. Interchangeable cores are frequently used in commercial key systems where rapid rekeying is important.

Small-Format Interchangeable Core

A standardized removable core commonly abbreviated as SFIC. The core can be removed with a control key and replaced while the surrounding lock hardware remains installed.

Large-Format Interchangeable Core

A removable core format commonly abbreviated as LFIC. Unlike SFIC, large-format core designs may be specific to a particular manufacturer or lock family.

Rekeying

Changing the internal keying of a lock so that it operates with a different key. Rekeying normally allows the existing lock hardware to remain installed.

Thumbturn

A small interior turnpiece used to lock or unlock a deadbolt, privacy lock, or other locking mechanism without a key.

Tailpiece

A component extending from the back of a lock cylinder that transfers the cylinder’s rotation to the lock mechanism.

Cam

A rotating component attached to the rear of certain cylinders or cabinet locks. Turning the key rotates the cam to engage or release the locking mechanism.

Door Knob, Lever and Handleset Terms

Passage Function

A non-locking function used on interior doors such as hallways, closets, and rooms that do not require privacy. The knob or lever operates the latch from either side.

Privacy Function

A locking function commonly used on bedrooms and bathrooms. It is normally locked from the interior and includes an emergency-release feature on the exterior rather than a keyed cylinder.

Keyed-Entry Function

A lock function typically operated by a key on the exterior and a turn button, thumbturn, or similar control on the interior. It is commonly used on exterior residential doors.

Dummy Function

Non-operating trim used as a fixed pull. Dummy knobs and levers do not turn or operate a latch and are commonly used on inactive double doors and some closet doors.

Single Dummy

One fixed knob or lever installed on one side of a door. It is frequently used on the inactive door of a double-door opening.

Dummy Pair

Fixed trim installed on both sides of a door. Neither side operates a latch.

Storeroom Function

A commercial lock function that is normally always locked from the exterior and requires a key for entry. The interior lever or knob generally remains free for immediate egress.

Classroom Function

A commercial lock function commonly locked or unlocked from the exterior with a key. The interior lever or knob generally remains free for egress.

Office Function

A commercial lock function that can generally be locked from the interior using a button or turn control and unlocked from the exterior with a key. Exact operation varies by manufacturer and lock series.

Communicating Function

A lock function used between adjoining rooms. It typically includes locking controls on both sides but may not include an exterior emergency-release feature, so it is intended for specific interior applications.

Handleset

An exterior entry set that usually combines a large decorative pull handle with a thumb-operated latch and a separate deadbolt. Interior trim may use a knob or lever.

Trim

The visible operating and decorative parts of door hardware, including knobs, levers, roses, escutcheons, pulls, thumbturns, and exterior handles.

Rose

A round or square trim plate installed behind a door knob or lever. It covers the bore hole and provides a finished appearance.

Rosette

Another term for the decorative plate behind a knob or lever. Rosettes may be round, square, rectangular, or decorative in shape.

Escutcheon

A decorative or protective plate surrounding a knob, lever, key cylinder, thumbturn, or pull. An escutcheon is often larger or more elongated than a rose.

Backplate

A plate installed behind a knob, lever, pull, or other hardware. Backplates may be decorative, may protect the mounting surface, or may cover existing holes and marks.

Spindle

A shaft that connects knobs or levers through the door and transfers their rotation to the latch or lock mechanism.

Set Screw

A small screw used to secure a knob, lever, spindle, or other component to its mounting post or shaft.

Door Hinge Terms

Hinge

Hardware that connects a door to its frame and allows the door to swing. A typical hinge includes two leaves joined by a pin and one or more knuckles.

Hinge Leaf

One of the flat plates that make up a hinge. One leaf attaches to the door and the other attaches to the frame or cabinet.

Hinge Knuckle

The rolled portion of a hinge leaf through which the hinge pin passes. Interlocking knuckles connect the two leaves.

Hinge Pin

The metal pin that passes through the hinge knuckles and holds the hinge leaves together while allowing them to pivot.

Plain-Bearing Hinge

A hinge in which the knuckles rotate directly against one another without separate ball bearings. Plain-bearing hinges are commonly used on lighter or lower-frequency doors.

Ball-Bearing Hinge

A hinge containing bearings between the knuckles to reduce friction and support smoother operation. Ball-bearing hinges are commonly used on heavier, wider, high-use, or commercial doors.

Spring Hinge

A hinge containing an adjustable spring that helps return a door toward the closed position. Spring hinges may be used where a separate surface-mounted closer is not desired, subject to the requirements of the opening.

Continuous Hinge

A hinge that extends along most or all of the door height. Continuous hinges distribute the door load across a larger area and are often used on high-use or heavy doors.

Pivot Hinge

A hinge system that allows a door to rotate on pivot points positioned at the top and bottom rather than relying only on conventional butt hinges at the door edge.

Mortise Hinge

A hinge designed to sit in recessed pockets cut into the door and frame so that the leaves are generally flush with the surrounding surfaces when installed.

Non-Mortise Hinge

A hinge designed to install without cutting full-depth hinge mortises. Its leaves may nest together when the door closes.

Radius Corner

A rounded corner on a hinge leaf, latch faceplate, or strike plate. Common residential corner radii include 1/4″ and 5/8″.

Square Corner

A hinge leaf, latch faceplate, or strike plate with 90-degree corners rather than rounded corners.

Removable Pin

A hinge pin that can be taken out to separate the door from the frame. Removable-pin hinges are commonly used when the pin is accessible from the secure side of the opening.

Non-Removable Pin

A hinge pin designed to resist removal when the door is closed. Non-removable pins are often used when hinge barrels are exposed on the exterior or unsecured side.

Cabinet Hardware Terms

Cabinet Knob

A compact piece of cabinet hardware generally attached with one screw. Cabinet knobs are used on cabinet doors, drawers, furniture, and built-in storage.

Cabinet Pull

A handle attached to a cabinet door or drawer using two or more mounting points. Pulls are available in many lengths, shapes, materials, and center-to-center measurements.

Center-to-Center

The distance from the center of one mounting screw hole to the center of the other. This is the most important measurement when replacing a cabinet pull using existing holes. Learn how to measure cabinet pull center-to-center before ordering replacement hardware.

Overall Length

The full end-to-end length of a cabinet pull, appliance pull, hinge, or other piece of hardware. Overall length is different from the center-to-center mounting measurement.

Projection

The distance that installed hardware extends outward from the mounting surface. Projection helps determine hand clearance and whether the hardware may interfere with adjacent doors, drawers, walls, or appliances.

Diameter

The measurement across the widest point of a circular knob, rose, cylinder, or other round component.

Appliance Pull

A larger, heavier pull designed for appliance panels, oversized cabinet doors, or large drawers. Appliance pulls often use larger mounting hardware and should not be assumed to be interchangeable with standard cabinet pulls.

Cup Pull

A cabinet pull with a curved, enclosed, or partially enclosed shape that is typically gripped from underneath. Cup pulls are also commonly called bin pulls.

Edge Pull

A low-profile pull mounted along the top, bottom, or side edge of a cabinet door or drawer. Much of the pull may remain concealed behind the cabinet front.

Finger Pull

A small pull designed to be operated with one or more fingers. Finger pulls are commonly used on sliding doors, pocket doors, cabinets, and minimalist furniture.

Cabinet Backplate

A decorative or protective plate installed behind a cabinet knob or pull. A backplate may also help cover old screw holes or surface marks.

Cabinet Catch

A device that helps keep a cabinet door closed without using a keyed lock. Common types include magnetic catches, roller catches, friction catches, and touch latches.

Touch Latch

A cabinet latch that releases when the door is pushed inward. It is commonly used on cabinets without visible knobs or pulls.

Magnetic Catch

A cabinet catch that uses a magnet and metal strike to hold the door closed.

Cabinet Overlay

The amount by which a cabinet door overlaps the cabinet frame or opening. Correct overlay measurement is important when selecting replacement cabinet hinges.

Full-Overlay Cabinet Door

A cabinet door that covers most or nearly all of the face-frame edge or cabinet side when closed, leaving only a small reveal between adjoining doors.

Partial-Overlay Cabinet Door

A cabinet door that covers only part of the face frame, leaving a visible portion of the frame around the door.

Inset Cabinet Door

A cabinet door that sits within the cabinet opening and is generally flush with the face frame when closed.

Overlay Hinge

A cabinet hinge designed for a door that overlaps the cabinet frame or cabinet side. The hinge must match the door’s overlay dimension and cabinet construction. Shop overlay cabinet hinges.

Concealed Hinge

A cabinet hinge that is largely or completely hidden when the cabinet door is closed. Many concealed hinges provide adjustment for door alignment.

European Hinge

A common style of concealed cabinet hinge, often using a circular cup bored into the back of the cabinet door. European hinges may offer adjustment, soft-close operation, and different opening angles.

Hinge Cup

The round portion of a concealed cabinet hinge installed in a bored recess on the back of the cabinet door. A common cup diameter is 35 mm, but product requirements vary.

Face-Frame Cabinet

A cabinet constructed with a frame attached to the front of the cabinet box. Doors and hinges mount to or overlap this frame.

Frameless Cabinet

A cabinet constructed without a separate front face frame. Hinges and mounting plates normally attach directly to the cabinet sides.

Soft-Close Hinge

A cabinet hinge with a damping mechanism that slows the door during the final portion of closing to reduce slamming.

Self-Closing Hinge

A cabinet hinge that pulls or holds the door in the closed position during the final part of its travel. Self-closing and soft-closing are not always the same feature.

Drawer Slide Terms

Drawer Slide

A hardware system that allows a drawer to move in and out of a cabinet. Drawer slides are available in side-mount, undermount, center-mount, and other configurations. Shop drawer slides and cabinet slide hardware.

Side-Mount Drawer Slide

A drawer slide installed on the sides of the drawer and cabinet. Side-mount slides are usually visible when the drawer is open and require clearance on both sides.

Undermount Drawer Slide

A drawer slide installed beneath the drawer. Undermount slides are generally concealed when the drawer is open and often require a drawer box made to specific dimensions.

Center-Mount Drawer Slide

A single slide installed beneath the center of a drawer. Center-mount slides are commonly found in furniture and lighter-duty applications.

Ball-Bearing Drawer Slide

A drawer slide that uses ball bearings to provide smooth movement and support the drawer load.

Roller Drawer Slide

A drawer slide that uses wheels or rollers rather than rows of ball bearings. Roller slides are commonly used in residential cabinetry and light-duty applications.

Full Extension

A drawer-slide travel length that allows the drawer to open approximately the full length of the slide, providing access to most or all of the drawer.

Three-Quarter Extension

A drawer slide that opens only part of the drawer’s total depth, leaving a portion of the drawer inside the cabinet.

Overtravel

A drawer slide that extends beyond full extension, allowing the drawer to move past the front of the cabinet. Overtravel can improve access when a countertop or cabinet edge projects above the drawer.

Soft-Close Drawer Slide

A drawer slide with a damping mechanism that catches the drawer near the end of its travel and closes it slowly.

Self-Closing Drawer Slide

A drawer slide designed to pull the drawer into the fully closed position during the final portion of travel.

Push-to-Open Drawer Slide

A drawer-slide mechanism that releases when the drawer front is pushed inward. It allows drawers to operate without visible knobs or pulls.

Disconnect

A drawer-slide feature that allows the drawer member to separate from the cabinet member so the drawer can be removed. Common disconnect types include lever, rail, and friction disconnects.

Load Rating

The amount of weight a drawer-slide pair is designed to support under specified installation and operating conditions. The rating can vary depending on slide length, mounting orientation, and application.

Slide Length

The nominal front-to-back length of a drawer slide when closed. Replacement slides should be selected according to the available cabinet depth and the manufacturer’s installation requirements.

Commercial Door Hardware Terms

ANSI

The American National Standards Institute, an organization that coordinates voluntary standards in the United States. Door hardware may be designed or tested to standards developed through ANSI-accredited processes.

BHMA

Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association. BHMA develops and maintains performance standards for builders hardware and administers certification programs for qualifying products.

Grade 1

A performance grade commonly associated with the highest level of operational and strength requirements within the applicable BHMA product standard. The exact tests and requirements depend on the type of hardware.

Grade 2

A performance grade commonly used for many light-commercial and higher-use residential applications. The meaning of Grade 2 depends on the applicable product standard.

Grade 3

A performance grade commonly associated with residential applications under the applicable BHMA product standard. Grade designations should only be compared within the relevant hardware category and standard.

ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act. In hardware descriptions, ADA compliance often relates to operability, opening force, clearances, and accessible routes. Compliance depends on the complete opening and installation, not solely on one hardware component.

Fire-Rated Door

A door assembly designed and tested to help resist the spread of fire and smoke for a specified period. The door, frame, glazing, hardware, and installation must work together as a listed assembly.

Positive Latching

The requirement that a door latch securely engages the strike when the door closes. Positive-latching hardware is commonly required on many fire-door assemblies.

Door Closer

A device that controls a door as it closes. Door closers may regulate closing speed, latching speed, backcheck, delayed action, and opening resistance depending on the model.

Closing Speed

The adjustable speed at which a door closer moves the door through the main portion of the closing cycle.

Latch Speed

The adjustable speed during the final portion of a door closer’s closing cycle, where the latch must engage the strike.

Backcheck

A door-closer control that cushions or resists the door as it approaches the fully open position. It is intended to help control the opening motion rather than act as a rigid door stop.

Delayed Action

A door-closer feature that delays closing for part of the closing cycle. It can provide additional time for people, carts, or equipment to pass through the opening.

Parallel-Arm Mounting

A door-closer installation in which the closer arm rests approximately parallel to the door when the door is closed. It is commonly used on the push side of the opening.

Regular-Arm Mounting

A door-closer installation typically placed on the pull side of the door, with the arm projecting away from the door when closed.

Top-Jamb Mounting

A door-closer installation in which the closer body is mounted to the frame header and the arm attaches to the door. It is commonly used when the closer cannot be mounted directly to the door face.

Exit Device

Door hardware that releases a latched door when a push bar or touchpad is pressed in the direction of egress. Exit devices are commonly used on commercial, institutional, and assembly-occupancy doors.

Panic Hardware

An exit device designed and listed for use where panic hardware is required by the applicable building or life-safety code.

Rim Exit Device

An exit device with a latch mechanism mounted on the surface of the door that engages a strike mounted on the frame.

Surface Vertical Rod Exit Device

An exit device with rods mounted on the door surface that extend toward latches at the top and, depending on the configuration, the bottom of the opening.

Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Device

An exit device with vertical rods installed within the door rather than visibly mounted on its surface.

Mortise Exit Device

An exit device that operates a mortise lock case installed in a pocket cut into the door edge.

Dogging

A feature that holds an exit-device push bar or touchpad in the retracted position so the door can operate without relatching. Dogging may not be permitted on certain fire-rated exit devices.

Electric Strike

An electrified replacement for a mechanical strike plate. When activated, it releases the keeper so the door can open without retracting the lock’s latch in the usual manner.

Electromagnetic Lock

An access-control lock that uses an energized electromagnet and an armature plate to secure a door. Its installation must address power, release controls, egress, and applicable code requirements.

Request to Exit

A device or signal used by an access-control system to detect or authorize egress. It may come from a motion sensor, push button, switch in exit hardware, or other approved device.

Mortise Lock

A lock with a rectangular case installed in a pocket cut into the edge of a door. Mortise locks are frequently used in commercial, institutional, and higher-end residential applications.

Cylindrical Lock

A lock installed primarily through round holes bored in the face and edge of a door. Cylindrical locks are widely used in both residential and commercial applications.

Door Coordinator

A device used on certain pairs of doors to help the inactive leaf close before the active leaf. This allows overlapping astragals and related hardware to align correctly.

Flush Bolt

A bolt installed in the edge or face of the inactive leaf of a pair of doors. It secures that leaf at the top, bottom, or both.

Astragal

A vertical component installed along the meeting edge of a pair of doors. It can help close the gap between the doors and may support security, weather, smoke, or fire-door functions depending on its design.

Mullion

A vertical member located between adjacent doors or openings. A removable mullion may be used with rim exit devices on a pair of doors and can be removed when a wider clear opening is needed.

Lighting and Ceiling Fan Terms

Lumen

A unit used to describe the amount of visible light produced by a light source. Higher lumen output generally means more light.

Watt

A unit of electrical power. For lighting, wattage describes energy consumption rather than brightness, so LED products with similar lumen output may use fewer watts than traditional lamps.

Color Temperature

The appearance of white light, measured in kelvins. Lower values generally appear warmer or more yellow, while higher values generally appear cooler or more blue-white.

Kelvin

The measurement unit used to express a light source’s color temperature. Common residential lighting values include approximately 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, and 5000K.

Color Rendering Index

A rating, commonly abbreviated as CRI, describing how naturally a light source renders colors compared with a reference source. A higher CRI generally indicates more accurate color appearance.

Dimmable

A light fixture or lamp designed to operate at different brightness levels when used with a compatible dimmer and electrical system.

Integrated LED

A light fixture with LED components built into the fixture rather than using a conventional replaceable bulb. Replacement options depend on the fixture’s design.

Wet Location

A location where electrical equipment may be directly exposed to water, rain, or other liquids. Products installed in wet locations should carry an appropriate listing or rating for that use.

Damp Location

A location subject to moisture or condensation but not normally exposed to direct water saturation. Covered porches and some bathrooms may be considered damp locations depending on the installation.

Dry Location

An indoor location not normally subject to dampness or water. Products rated only for dry locations should not be installed where moisture exposure requires a damp- or wet-location rating.

Ceiling Canopy

The decorative cover installed against the ceiling over the electrical box and mounting hardware of a pendant, chandelier, or other ceiling fixture.

Pendant Light

A light fixture suspended from the ceiling by a cord, stem, rod, or chain. Pendants are commonly installed over islands, counters, sinks, tables, and work areas.

Chandelier

A suspended decorative light fixture with multiple arms, branches, lamps, or light sources.

Sconce

A light fixture mounted to a wall. Wall sconces are commonly used in bathrooms, hallways, bedrooms, entryways, and exterior applications.

Vanity Light

A wall-mounted light fixture designed for use near a bathroom mirror or vanity. It may be installed above or beside the mirror.

Flush-Mount Light

A ceiling fixture installed directly against or very close to the ceiling with little or no visible gap.

Semi-Flush-Mount Light

A ceiling fixture suspended a short distance below the ceiling, providing more visual separation than a flush-mount fixture while remaining relatively compact.

Ceiling Fan Downrod

A metal rod used to suspend a ceiling fan below its mounting canopy. Downrod length affects the installed fan height and must be compatible with the fan and ceiling conditions.

Blade Span

The diameter of the circle created by a ceiling fan’s rotating blades. Blade span is commonly used when selecting a fan size for a room.

CFM

Cubic feet per minute, a measurement used to describe the volume of air moved by a ceiling fan or ventilation product.

Measurement and Product Specification Terms

Height

The vertical measurement of a product from its lowest point to its highest point.

Width

The horizontal side-to-side measurement of a product.

Depth

The front-to-back measurement of a product. For hardware, depth may describe the overall body dimension rather than how far the installed product projects from a surface.

Length

The end-to-end measurement of a product or component. The exact orientation represented by length depends on the type of hardware.

Base Diameter

The measurement across the mounting base of a knob, stop, hook, or other piece of hardware.

Centerline

An imaginary line through the center of a component or opening, used as a reference for measuring, drilling, positioning, and alignment.

Gauge

A measurement used to describe material thickness. The relationship between gauge number and actual thickness depends on the material and applicable gauge system.

Load Capacity

The amount of weight a product is designed to support under specified installation and use conditions. Proper mounting and adherence to manufacturer instructions are necessary to achieve the stated capacity.

Hardware Finish Terms

Finish

The visible surface color, texture, and treatment applied to hardware. Finish names may look similar between manufacturers but can vary in tone, sheen, texture, and aging characteristics.

Living Finish

A finish intentionally designed to change in appearance as it is exposed to handling, air, moisture, and time. Variations and patina are considered part of the finish’s natural character.

Patina

A surface appearance that develops over time through oxidation, handling, moisture, and environmental exposure. Patina is especially associated with brass, bronze, and copper.

Polished Finish

A smooth, reflective finish with a bright or mirror-like appearance. Examples include polished brass, polished chrome, and polished nickel.

Satin Finish

A smooth finish with a softer sheen and less reflectivity than a polished finish. Satin nickel and satin chrome are common examples.

Brushed Finish

A finish with fine directional lines created through an abrasive brushing process. It generally has a lower sheen than a polished surface.

Antique Finish

A finish created to produce an aged or time-worn appearance. Antique finishes often include darker shading in recesses and lighter highlights on raised areas.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze

A dark bronze-toned finish that may include copper or warm-colored highlights. Appearance varies significantly by manufacturer, and some versions are living finishes that change with use.

Matte Black

A low-sheen black finish commonly used on modern, transitional, industrial, and farmhouse-style hardware.

Polished Chrome

A bright, highly reflective silver-toned finish commonly used on door, cabinet, bath, and plumbing hardware.

Satin Chrome

A silver-toned finish with a softer, less reflective surface than polished chrome.

Polished Nickel

A reflective nickel finish that often has a warmer tone than polished chrome.

Satin Nickel

A softly reflective nickel-toned finish commonly used throughout residential door, cabinet, bath, and lighting hardware.

Polished Brass

A bright, reflective gold-toned finish. Depending on the product, it may have a protective coating or may be designed to develop a patina.

Antique Brass

A warm brass-toned finish with aged shading, darker accents, or reduced reflectivity.

Unlacquered Brass

Brass without a protective clear coating. It is generally expected to darken, spot, and develop a natural patina over time.

Stainless Steel

A corrosion-resistant metal used for many types of hardware. Stainless steel may be the product’s base material rather than merely a decorative finish.

Powder Coat

A dry finishing material applied electrostatically and cured to form a protective surface. Powder-coated finishes are available in many colors and textures.

Choosing Compatible Hardware

Hardware terms and dimensions are not always used identically by every manufacturer. Before ordering replacement hardware, compare the product’s function, measurements, door or cabinet preparation, handing, material, finish, and installation requirements.

For door locks, verify the backset, bore-hole diameter, edge-bore diameter, door thickness, handing, latch faceplate, strike configuration, and keying requirements. For cabinet pulls, verify the center-to-center measurement rather than relying only on overall length. For hinges and drawer slides, identify the cabinet construction, mounting style, overlay, clearances, dimensions, and load requirements.

Building, fire, accessibility, and life-safety requirements can vary by location and application. Commercial and fire-rated openings should be reviewed as complete assemblies, and hardware should be selected and installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable requirements.

Visit our Hardware Learning Center for additional measuring guides, product explanations, and help choosing compatible hardware.