Page 5 - Dominic Anderson
Dominic Anderson specializes in foundational commercial door education, helping teams understand door types, ratings, and basic hardware coordination. His expertise includes fire-rated and hurricane-rated doors, certification requirements, and institutional applications such as schools and healthcare facilities. By translating technical standards into clear, practical guidance, Dominic helps ensure commercial door projects begin with accurate specifications and realistic performance expectations.
Commercial door and hardware terminology covers the specialized vocabulary used across hollow metal doors, steel frames, locksets, hinges, closers, and fire-rated assemblies. This reference guide defines over 100 terms organized by category, giving contractors, facility managers, and specifiers a single resource for understanding the language used in door schedules, hardware specifications, and architectural drawings. Each category below groups related terms so you can quickly find the definition you need during takeoffs, submittals, or field installation.
CDF Distributors provides complete commercial door, frame, and hardware assemblies shipped from its Nashville, Tennessee headquarters. You can configure and order online using CDF’s ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com. For assistance selecting the correct components for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
About This Guide
This glossary is compiled from CDF Distributors’ technical documentation, industry
Door handing identifies the swing direction of a commercial door and determines which side receives the hinges, latching hardware, and strike preparation. Every commercial door assembly is manufactured as either left hand or right hand, and swings either inward (standard) or outward (reverse). Correctly identifying door handing before ordering ensures that hinges, locksets, exit devices, and closers are factory-prepared on the correct side of the assembly.
CDF Distributors’ ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com guides handing selection during assembly configuration, displaying visual references for each option. For assistance determining the correct handing for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
How to Determine Door Handing
The standard method for determining door handing uses the hinge jamb as the reference point. Stand in the doorway with your back against the hinge jamb (the side where the hinges are or will be mounted). The direction the door opens from
Commercial door frames fall into three primary construction types: knocked down (KD), welded, and drywall slip-on (also called wrap-around). Each frame type is designed for a specific wall construction and installation sequence. Knocked down frames ship as separate pieces and assemble on-site, making them the standard choice for drywall and metal stud walls. Welded frames arrive fully assembled with welded corners and are set into masonry or concrete block walls during construction. Drywall slip-on frames install after the wall is finished by wrapping around the completed drywall opening. The anchoring method used with each frame type depends on the wall construction, fire rating requirements, and structural loads.
CDF Distributors fabricates and ships hollow metal frame assemblies from its Nashville, Tennessee facility. You can configure frame assemblies online using CDF’s ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com. For assistance selecting the correct frame type and anchoring method for your
Jamb depth is the total width of a door frame’s cross-section, measured from the face of the frame on one side of the wall to the face on the opposite side. Throat size is the inside measurement between the two returns of the frame, which equals the wall thickness the frame is designed to wrap around. On a drywall wrap-around frame, the jamb depth is always 1 inch greater than the throat size because each side of the frame extends ½ inch beyond the wall surface to create the wrap. Selecting the correct jamb depth ensures the frame sits flush against both sides of the finished wall with no gaps or overhangs.
CDF Distributors’ ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com automatically calculates the correct jamb depth based on the wall thickness you enter during configuration. For assistance determining your jamb depth or throat size, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
About This Guide
This reference guide is published by CDF Distributors, a commercial door and frame manufacturer
Nominal size is the size of the door without undercut. Exact size is the size of the door with undercut applied. Understanding the difference between nominal and exact dimensions is essential for ordering the correct commercial door and frame assembly. This reference guide explains the CDF Distributors model numbering system, undercut dimensions, and how nominal sizes translate to exact measurements for standard commercial doors.
CDF Distributors’ ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com displays both nominal and exact dimensions for every door and frame configuration. For assistance with door sizing or ordering, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
CDF Model Numbering System
CDF door and frame model numbers use feet, not inches. This is a common source of confusion when reading specifications or placing orders. A model number consists of two pairs of digits representing the width and height in feet.
- 3070: 3’ wide x 7’ tall (not 30 inches x 70 inches)
- 3080: 3’ wide x 8’ tall
How Lockdown Hardware Selection Affects AHJ Approval and Campus Security
This guide answers: How School Door Hardware Selection Affects Lockdown and AHJ Approval
How Hardware Selection Affects Lockdown Capability
The selection of door hardware for K-12 schools directly determines whether a facility can execute an effective lockdown. Hardware that does not meet classroom security function requirements — or that requires a teacher to open the door, reach into the corridor, and use a key — creates a critical delay during an active threat event.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) reviews hardware selections during the plan review and inspection process. Hardware that does not satisfy the jurisdiction's lockdown requirements will be rejected, requiring replacement at the contractor's expense.
Classroom Function vs. Classroom Security Function
Standard classroom function locksets require the teacher to use a key from the corridor side to lock the door. This means the teacher must open the
When you’re working on a commercial project, fire-rated doors aren’t optional, they’re essential. They protect occupants, meet code requirements, and help buildings pass inspection. But ordering the right fire rated door can sometimes feel more complicated than it should.
Between fire ratings, hardware requirements, glass limitations, and frame compatibility, there are a lot of details to get right. The good news? It doesn’t have to be difficult.
With CDF’s ProBuilder platform, ordering commercial fire rated doors is more streamlined than ever.
Do you prefer a video? Check out our Fire Rated Doors Explained video at the end of the page.
Understanding What Makes a Fire-Rated Door Compliant
A fire rated door isn’t just a slab. It’s a complete, tested assembly. That includes the door, frame, hinges, closer, and even the glazing kit if the opening includes glass.
Every component must carry the appropriate rating — whether it’s 20, 45, 60, or 90 minutes — and they must be approved to work
Commercial doors might seem like simple barriers, but in reality, they’re tiny traffic managers, safety enforcers, and style statements all rolled into one. Imagine a busy office where a door swings the wrong way, colliding with a wall or blocking a hallway. Choosing the incorrect door handing can create awkward bumps, blocked passageways, and frustrated customers.
Understanding door handing isn’t just a technicality but a vital part of planning any building or renovation project. Due to this, it’s important you understand what door handing is, why it’s so critical for businesses, and the practical tips for selecting the perfect swing for every doorway.
What Is Door Handing?
Door handing refers to the direction a door swings and the side the hinges are on. It determines how people move through your space and how your doors interact with walls, furniture, and traffic patterns. Below are the key types of door handing to consider:
Understanding this ensures doors operate efficiently, reduce
When you think of doors, you probably picture wood, metal, or glass simply marking the entryway into a space. But doors can be so much more, and they can actually be
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Champions of sustainability
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Reduce environmental impact
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Protect your building
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Enhancing efficiency.
That’s exactly what Forte, formerly known as Masonite, has been doing for over 90 years. Their focus is innovating with eco-conscious practices while never compromising on strength, beauty, or functionality. This article will explore why Forte commercial doors are not just doors, but statements of responsibility and innovation for your business.
Forte: Innovators in Doors
Forte has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of interior and exterior doors. Their products can be found in hospitals, schools, retail stores, hotels, and offices across the globe. But what makes them stand out isn’t just their durability, it’s their commitment to green innovation. By choosing Forte commercial doors, businesses
When customers walk into your store, the first thing they see isn’t the display shelves or your front desk, it’s the doorway that welcomes them in. Your storefront doors are more than just an entrance, they provide safety in emergencies and can even help shape your brand’s image.
In short, the right commercial door does more than open and close, but it can protect, secure, and impress all at once. So, how do you make sure your storefront doors are working as hard as you are? Let’s explore the different ways to maximize security and safety without compromising on style.
Choosing the Right Door
Not all doors are created equal. A lightweight or poorly constructed door can be an easy target for intruders. For maximum protection, invest in commercial steel doors that offer durability, fire resistance, and superior strength. Pairing the right frame with the right door also ensures your entryway can handle heavy foot traffic.
However, steel doors can be more expensive than other types of doors,