What is the frame around a door called?

• A. skirting
• B. casing
• C. jamb
• D. pilaster

Answer: (C)

The frame around a door is called the jamb. The jamb is the structural part of the door frame that the door closes into and is anchored to, with vertical pieces on the sides and a top piece forming the opening. Hinges attach to the jamb, and it also houses the latch strike. The trim that surrounds the jamb is known as casing, which is decorative rather than the actual frame. Skirting refers to baseboard along the floor, and pilaster is a decorative, column-like projection on the wall. So, the jamb is the door’s frame itself, while the other terms describe surrounding trim or decorative elements.