Level Plumb Square & True. What do they Mean?
What do they really mean?
Our clear-cut explanation of Level Plumb Square & True.
We hear these words used all the time, but have you ever taken the time to really think about what they mean? Equally important, these terms can have a major impact on your next door or window installation. Take a read below to make sure your fenestration terminology is up to par.
1. LEVEL
The best way to describe LEVEL is to imagine a straight line that is perfectly horizontal. Take a look at the picture above, the dotted green line represents LEVEL. If a door or window is installed out of LEVEL, it will tend to rub on the jamb and it will be hard to get the reveal (spacing between the door and frame) to line up. If the reveals don’t line up, the sash will not seat up properly with the weather-strip seals. As a result, you risk losing the Energy STAR rating your door or window came with.
2. PLUMB
To visualize what PLUMB represents, look at the dashed green line above. PLUMB is the term used to refer to a perfectly vertical line, thus why the clever tool used to find PLUMB is called a plumb-bob. If a door or window is installed out of PLUMB, it will cause a host of issues. Such as: sagging open in the corner, unwanted opening or closing doors, and binding during operating.
3. SQUARE
The definition of SQUARE is a 90 degree corner. A speed square, framing square, and T squares are all good examples of tools used to find SQUARE on a jobsite. Installing a door or window SQUARE involves being both LEVEL & PLUMB at the same time. This is important to prevent: binding during operation, springing open on the corners and again to insure proper sealing between the sash and frame. Take a look above for a visual explanation of SQUARE.
4. TRUE
By far, the most forgotten term of a door installation. TRUE represents being SQUARE on both the LEVEL & PLUMB axis at the same time on all sides of the unit being installed. The picture above describes TRUE. A door or window can be installed perfectly LEVEL, PLUMB & SQUARE on one side, but if the other side’s aren’t LEVEL, PLUMB & SQUARE, the unit will not be TRUE and will create many of the problems mentioned above.
These terms are hard to differentiate at first, but by gaining a good understanding of LEVEL, PLUMB, SQUARE & TRUE you are sure to get better results out of your next installation.
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