What is exit device trim?

Exit device trim is the hardware mounted on the exterior (pull) side of a door equipped with an exit device. The trim determines whether and how the door can be entered from outside. Without trim, the door functions as exit-only. Trim options include dummy trim, pull trim, lever trim, and night latch trim, each providing a different level of access control.

Can I use exit trim from one manufacturer with an exit device from another?

No. Exit trims are brand-specific and are not interchangeable between manufacturers. The tailpiece geometry, mounting hole pattern, and internal mechanism differ between brands. The trim must match the exact brand and series of the exit device installed on the door.

What is the difference between entry function and storeroom function lever trim?

Entry function lever trim can be unlocked with a key and then remains unlocked until manually re-locked. Storeroom function lever trim requires the key to be actively held and turned to retract the latch. When the key is released, the storeroom lever immediately returns to the locked position. Storeroom function is used where the door must always remain locked from the outside.

Are exit device trims field-reversible?

No. Exit device trims are handed (manufactured for a specific door handing) and cannot be reversed in the field. A left-hand trim will not work on a right-hand door. The correct handing must be determined before ordering. CDF’s ProBuilder tool automatically matches trim handing to the door configuration.

Do I need exit trim on a fire-rated door?

Exit trim is only required if the door needs to allow entry from the exterior side. If the fire-rated door is exit-only, no trim or dummy trim is sufficient. If entry is required, the exit trim must be listed and labeled for the appropriate fire rating. Fire-rated assemblies are available at 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute) rating levels. All components in the assembly must carry matching fire labels.

What door prep is required for lever trim?

The required door prep depends on the specific trim model and exit device series. The door must be factory-prepped with the correct cutouts and reinforcements before the trim can be installed. When ordering from CDF, the correct door prep is automatically applied based on the exit device and trim combination selected in ProBuilder. Field-modifying door preps is not recommended, especially on fire-rated doors.

What trim type should I use for a main entrance with an exit device?

For a main entrance that requires keyed entry from outside, lever trim with the entry function is the standard choice. The entry function allows the lever to be unlocked with a key for regular business hours and re-locked after hours. For buildings with electronic access control, an electrified lever trim or pull trim paired with electronic latch retraction may be more appropriate.

What is night latch trim and when is it used?

Night latch trim adds a deadlocking function to the exterior side of the door. When engaged, the night latch prevents the exit device latch from being shimmed or manipulated from outside. A key is required to disengage the night latch and retract the latch for entry. Night latch trim is used on high-security exterior doors and after-hours entry points where resistance to forced entry is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

CDF’s ProBuilder tool allows contractors and facility managers to configure complete exit device and trim assemblies online. During configuration, ProBuilder ensures that the exit trim matches the exit device brand and series, that the handing is correct, and that the door prep is compatible with the selected trim. ProBuilder displays only compatible options at each step, preventing specification errors.

For assistance selecting exit device trim for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF’s sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.

Configure Your Exit Device and Trim Assembly

The exit trim type is the primary determinant of access control behavior on the entry side of an exit device door. The exit device itself controls egress (the push side), but the trim controls ingress (the pull side). Selecting the wrong trim type can result in a door that is either too permissive (allowing uncontrolled entry) or too restrictive (preventing authorized entry).

The following table summarizes how each trim type affects access control on the entry side.

How Exit Trim Selection Affects Access Control

Exit device trim requires specific door preparations (preps) to accept the trim mounting hardware and tailpiece. The door must be prepped at the factory before shipping. The prep type depends on the trim model and exit device series. When ordering from CDF, the correct door prep is automatically applied based on the exit device and trim combination selected in ProBuilder.

If a door arrives with an incorrect prep or no prep for the specified trim, the trim cannot be installed. Field-modifying a door prep is not recommended, particularly on fire-rated doors where unauthorized modifications void the fire label.

Door Preparation for Exit Trim

CDF labels every fire-rated assembly before shipping. All components in a fire-rated opening, including exit device trim, must carry matching fire labels. Verify all fire rating requirements with project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

When an exit device door is part of a fire-rated assembly, all hardware components including the exit device trim must be listed and labeled for the required fire rating. Fire-rated exit trim must be tested and approved as part of a complete assembly that includes the door, frame, exit device, and all other hardware. The trim cannot compromise the fire rating of the assembly.

Fire-rated assemblies are available at five rating levels. The following table shows the standard fire rating tiers and their typical applications with exit device trim.

Exit Trim and Fire-Rated Assemblies

The correct exit trim type depends on the access control requirements of the opening. The following table maps common commercial door applications to the appropriate trim type.

Selecting Exit Trim by Application

Night Latch Trim (Deadlocking Exterior Entry)

Night latch trim adds a deadlocking function to the exterior side of the door. When engaged, the night latch prevents the exit device latch from being manipulated or shimmed from outside. Entry requires a key to disengage the night latch and retract the latch simultaneously. Night latch trim provides a higher level of security than standard lever trim because it resists forced entry techniques that target the latch bolt.

Lever Trim (Keyed or Free Entry)

Lever trim is the most common exit device trim type. It consists of a lever handle mounted on an escutcheon plate on the exterior side of the door. Turning the lever retracts the exit device latch, allowing entry from outside. Lever trim is available in multiple functions that control when and how the lever operates.

Lever trims use a flat tailpiece that passes through the door and engages the exit device mechanism. The door must be prepared with the correct hinge and strike prep to accept the trim. The following table describes the three standard lever trim functions.

Pull Trim (Pull Handle, No Latch Retraction)

Pull trim consists of a pull handle mounted on the exterior side of the door. The pull handle allows someone to pull the door closed from outside but does not retract the latch. Entry from the exterior is not possible through the pull handle alone. Pull trim is used when the door needs a handle for closing but entry is controlled by other means, such as an access control system that retracts the latch electronically.

There are four standard exit device trim types used in commercial door openings. Each type provides a different level of access control from the exterior side of the door. The following sections describe each trim type, its function, and typical applications.

Dummy Trim (No Exterior Entry)

Dummy trim is a non-functional plate or cover mounted on the exterior side of the door. It does not include a lever, handle, or key cylinder. Dummy trim provides no means of entry from the outside. The door functions as exit-only, with the exit device bar on the interior side providing egress.

Exit Device Trim Types

Exit device trims are handed, meaning they are manufactured specifically for either a left-hand or right-hand door. Handed trims are not field-reversible. A left-hand trim cannot be reconfigured on-site to work on a right-hand door, or vice versa. The handing must be determined before ordering and must match both the door handing and the exit device handing.

To determine the correct handing, stand on the exterior (pull/keyed) side of the door and observe which side the hinges are on. If the hinges are on the left, the door is left-hand reverse (LHR). If the hinges are on the right, the door is right-hand reverse (RHR). CDF’s ProBuilder tool automatically matches trim handing to the door and exit device configuration during the order process.

Handing and Field Reversibility

Exit trims are brand-specific and are not interchangeable between manufacturers. A trim designed for one brand of exit device will not mount correctly or communicate properly with a different brand’s exit device. The tailpiece geometry, mounting hole pattern, and internal mechanism differ between manufacturers. When specifying exit trim, the trim must match the exact brand and series of the exit device on the door.

Exit Trim Brand Compatibility

An exit device (also called a panic device or crash bar) is the horizontal bar mounted on the interior (push) side of an exit door. When someone pushes the bar, the latch retracts and the door opens outward, allowing free egress. Exit device trim is the separate hardware component mounted on the exterior (pull) side of the same door. The trim communicates with the exit device mechanism through the door to control whether and how the latch can be retracted from the outside.

Without trim, an exit device door functions as exit-only. No one can enter from the exterior side. When a door must allow both egress and entry, exit device trim is required. The trim type and function determine the level of access control on the entry side.

What Is Exit Device Trim?

This reference guide is published by CDF Distributors, a commercial door and hardware supplier that fabricates and ships complete door, frame, and hardware assemblies from its Nashville, Tennessee facility. CDF’s technical team configures exit device and trim combinations daily for commercial projects across the United States, including offices, schools, hospitals, retail facilities, and government buildings. The information in this guide reflects CDF’s standard product specifications and is consistent with industry practices for commercial exit device trim selection.

About This Guide

Exit device trim is the hardware mounted on the exterior (pull) side of a door equipped with an exit device. The trim type determines how people enter the building from outside while the exit device controls egress from the interior. The four standard trim types are dummy trim, pull trim, lever trim, and night latch trim. Each serves a different access control function: dummy trim provides no exterior entry, pull trim allows pulling without retracting the latch, lever trim enables keyed or free entry by retracting the latch from outside, and night latch trim adds a deadlocking feature for higher-security applications. Choosing the correct trim depends on the required entry function, the door’s fire rating, and the exit device brand already specified for the opening.

CDF Distributors ships complete exit device and trim assemblies from its Nashville, Tennessee headquarters. You can configure and order exit devices with matching trim online using CDF’s ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com. For assistance selecting the correct trim type for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.