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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sales Rep FAQ

Answers to the most common questions that come up during quoting, measuring, and order placement.
A slab is just the door panel — no frame, no hinges, no hardware. A prehung unit includes the door slab, a full frame (jamb, head, threshold), and hinges pre-installed. When a customer says “I just need a door,” always clarify: do they need a slab replacement (frame stays) or a full prehung (frame comes out too)?
The rough opening is the framed hole in the wall where the door unit will be installed. It is always larger than the door unit itself — typically 2” wider and 2” taller than the door slab size. Always get RO dimensions, not just the door size, when measuring for a replacement.
Stand outside the building facing the door (or at the exterior side of an interior door, facing into the room). If the hinges are on your left, it is a left-hand door. If hinges are on your right, it is a right-hand door. Add “reverse” (LHR/RHR) if the door swings toward you (outswing). Never rely on a customer’s verbal description — use the field method or a photo showing the hinge side and swing direction.
Jamb depth is the thickness of the wall (from interior drywall face to exterior sheathing face). The door frame must match this measurement exactly. Too narrow and the jamb won’t reach the wall surface; too wide and it will overhang. Standard is 4-9/16” for 2x4 walls, 6-9/16” for 2x6 walls — but always measure, never assume.
Inswing: the door swings into the building when opened. Outswing: the door swings away from the building. Most residential entry doors are inswing. Outswing is common in high-wind zones or where interior space is limited. Always confirm which the customer has — it changes the handing code (LH vs LHR, RH vs RHR).
Configuration width is the total width of the entire assembly — door slab plus one or both sidelites plus all frames. If a customer says they have a “6-foot opening,” that could be a 36” single door, a 60” door with one sidelite, or a double door with no sidelites. Always capture the full configuration before quoting.
The bore is the hole drilled in the door for the lockset. Backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of that hole — either 2-3/8” or 2-3/4”. Always confirm which backset the customer needs; using the wrong one means the hardware won’t fit or the door won’t latch properly.
An astragal is the vertical molding that runs down the meeting edge of a double door. It creates a seal between the two panels and provides a surface for the inactive panel to latch against. Some are fixed (attached to the inactive panel), others are removable. It is required for most double door applications.
IGU stands for Insulated Glass Unit — a sealed, dual-pane glass assembly used in exterior doors to provide thermal insulation. If a door is for an exterior application and has glass, always confirm whether an IGU is required. Single-pane glass on an exterior door is a red flag in most climates.
ADA-compliant thresholds have a maximum height of 1/2” and a beveled edge. They are required in commercial applications and any project where ADA accessibility is specified. When in doubt, ask the customer if the project is commercial or if ADA compliance was mentioned by their contractor or architect.

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Quoting & Process FAQs

Do not guess. Either schedule a field measurement, ask them to measure the rough opening themselves (provide a simple guide), or quote a range with a note that the final price is subject to verification. Quoting off an assumed RO leads to remakes.
You can use door size as a starting estimate, but always note it as unverified. Add 2” to width and 2” to height to estimate the RO. Before order submission, confirm actual field measurements.
Do not submit the order. A TBD finish is a red flag — the manufacturer will assign a default, and it may not match what the customer expects. Confirm at minimum whether the finish should match existing hardware (oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, matte black, etc.) or if a new finish is being chosen.
Never assume. If a customer asks for a “standard 3/0 door,” confirm: Is it a slab or prehung? Inswing or outswing? What handing? What material? What jamb depth? What hardware prep? “Standard” means different things to different customers and contractors.
The active panel is the door panel that is used for everyday entry — the one with the operating lockset. The inactive panel has a flush bolt (top and bottom) and is held in place until both panels need to be opened. Always specify which side is active: left or right (from exterior).

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Common Misunderstandings

False. Left-hand refers to the hinge location as viewed from outside. A left-hand door has hinges on the left — it opens to the right. Don’t confuse “which way it opens” with handing terminology.
False. A 3068 slab is 3’-0” x 6’-8”. The rough opening for a 3068 prehung unit is approximately 38” x 82” (2” wider, 2” taller than the slab). The prehung unit itself is wider than the slab due to the frame. Always use the RO, not the door size, when assessing whether a unit will fit.
False. Customers frequently describe handing from inside the building, at an angle, or based on which way the door knob faces. Always use the field method or request a photo showing the hinge location and swing direction from the exterior vantage point.
If your question isn’t listed here, check the relevant section in the training hub: Door Fundamentals, Measuring, Handing, Door Types, or Quoting Workflow. If it still isn’t answered, bring it to your manager — it may become the next FAQ.