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The Daily Insight

What is a door tongue

Author

Nathan Sanders

Published Apr 05, 2026

The beveled “tongue” spring mechanism that extends from the edge of the door into the door jamb to hold the door shut when closed.

What is the tongue of a lock called?

Cam Usually a tongue fixed to the end of the plug of a cylinder lock or latch. Cam lock A complete locking assembly in the form of a cylinder whose cam is the actual locking bolt. Cap (of the lock) The removable cover to a lock mechanism.

What are the parts of a door lock called?

The main parts of a door lock are the cylinder, bolt, box and strike plate. It’s useful for any DIY-er to know how things around the home operate.

What is the thing that keeps the door closed called?

The latch is the mechanism that slides into the enge of the door and retracts or protrudes with the turn of the door knob. The latch keeps the door closed and when the knob is turned allows the door to open.

What is the door lock hole called?

The latch bore, also known as the edge bore, is the hole drilled from the side of the door into the cross bore to allow the latch of the lock to be installed and to accommodate the sliding of the deadbolt. The diameter of the latch bore is generally 1” to accommodate bolts from either mechanical or electronic locksets.

What is the metal thing on a door called?

The strike plate is the piece of metal that is fitted to the lock jamb where the latch is. When the door is closed, the latch hits the strike plate. The prevents the latch from damaging the jamb every time the door is opened or closed.

What is glass in a door called?

Door Lite(s) / Glazing The glass panel(s), or glass window(s) that are mounted inside a door.

How do you stop a keyhole?

Fill a keyhole you wish to permanently block with caulk. Scrape off any extraneous caulk with a putty knife. Allow one hour for the caulk to dry. Apply one layer of permanent epoxy over the keyhole.

What is the metal piece above a door called?

A lintel or I-beam is a piece of steel that spans an opening (e.g., a door or window) and supports the masonry above it.

What is a dead bolt lock?

Deadbolt locks: The deadbolt lock has a bolt that must be activated by a key or. thumb turn. It offers good security because it is not spring activated and cannot be. “jimmied” opened with a knife blade or credit card.

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What is a door striker?

A door strike is one of the primary components of a typical door locking system. … The door strike is fastened, usually by screws, onto the frame of a doorway, and it is carefully aligned with the lockset in order to give the latch a place to sink into when the door closes.

What is a door puller?

noun A handle used for opening or shutting a door.

What is a mortise plate?

A mortise refers to the pocket cut into the door where the lock is fitted. … Strike plate–the metal plate affixed to the door jamb with a hole for the bolt of the lock to slide into, keeping the door closed. A skeleton key to operate the locking and unlocking functions of the lock body.

What does double bore door mean?

Simply put, the top hole in a double bore hole door is for your deadbolt and the bottom is for your knob or lever. This is where smart locks come into play. … Then simply choose the knob or lever that matches your style for the bottom bore hole.

How much does a locksmith cost?

Locksmith Services Price ListMinimumMaximumCar key replacement plus new transponderR1700R3000Car key replacement (no transponder)R850R2000Car key replacement (including coding & new remote)R2300R4500Car key replacement (includes coding & remote)R1500R2500

What is a door latch?

Door latches are a type of mechanical hardware used to fasten doors and keep them shut. A door latch uses a fastener attached to two ordinarily separated surfaces, most often the door and the frame, to prevent the door from swinging while still allowing normal operation when the latch is released.

What is a French door?

French door (n.): A door, usually one pair, of light construction with glass panes extending for most of its length. They also can be referred to as French windows.

What is the wall above a window called?

lintel. noun. a piece of stone or wood that supports the wall above a door or window.

What is the space above a window called?

In architecture, a transom is a transverse horizontal structural beam or bar, or a crosspiece separating a door from a window above it. This contrasts with a mullion, a vertical structural member. Transom or transom window is also the customary U.S. word used for a transom light, the window over this crosspiece.

What is the wood around the door called?

What Is an Architrave? The architrave (sometimes also referred to as jamb casing) is part of the door casing and refers to the decorative trim that sits around the door frame. It is purchased separately to the frame, which is what the wood around the door frame is called.

What is a door leaf?

A “leaf” is just another term for a single door. Since there are two doors in a pair, there are two “leaves” in a double door opening.

What are window lintels?

A lintel is a type of structural support used in buildings. They are installed horizontally above opening such as doors and windows to support the load of the structure above. … They provide additional strength at weaker points – if a load-bearing lintel is damaged then it requires attention.

What is a French door Astragal?

Some may say an astragal is one of the most important parts of a French door system. The astragal is a vertical component between door panels that allows your French door system to lock out unwanted guests, seal out water and air, and keep insects outside your home.

What is a window jamb?

Jambs are the main vertical parts forming the sides of a window frame. Sill. A sill is the main horizontal part forming the bottom of the frame of a window. Jambliner. A jambliner is a strip which goes on the sides of a window frame that provides a snug fit for the window sash.

How do you lock a door with a penny?

Step 1: Lock Without a Key Start by pushing in the door near the top. Slide several pennies into the crack between the door and the jamb molding about 18″ above the handle. Repeat process below the handle. Keep adding pennies equally to the top and bottom until you can’t squeeze another one in.

What is a keyhole lock?

Description. A keyhole lock (which is a small cylinder lock) is inserted, and locked, into the keyhole of a door lock, after it has been locked. This prevents anyone from opening, or attempting to open, the door lock and can only take place once the keyhole lock is removed.

Should you leave key in locked door?

Don’t leave keys on the inside of door locks or window ledges near the door as burglars can break a window and reach inside and unlock the door. Remove keys from view and keep them in a safe place.

Can you kick down a door with a deadbolt?

Generally speaking, deadbolts are sturdy locks that can withstand kick in and other forced entry attempts. However, a door with a deadbolt can still be kicked down if the door itself is not solid. So, to protect your door against kick in, you want to make sure both the lock and door are of high-quality grade.

Are deadbolt locks illegal?

In the U.S., there is no single comprehensive law against dual-cylinder deadbolts. Individual cities and states have local property and fire codes that may prohibit the use of dual-cylinder deadbolts. The code may prohibit the use of dual-cylinder deadbolts in some buildings and allow them in others.

Do deadbolts prevent break ins?

While properly installed deadbolts provide reasonable protection, there are risks. With single cylinder deadbolts, burglars often break door-side windows to simply reach in and turn the latch. Double cylinder deadbolts can slow family members trying to flee from the house in case of fire or other emergency.

What is an electrified lockset?

Electrified Mortise Locks are simply standard mortise locks equipped with a solenoid that keeps the latchbolt from retracting (usually only from the unsecure side). … Most electrified mortise locks are ordered as fail-safe. Figure 9.3. Electrified mortise lock. Image courtesy of Security Door Controls.