Astragal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An astragal is molding profile composed of a half round surface surrounded by two flat plains (fillets). An astragal is sometimes referred to as a miniature torus. It can be an architectural element used at the top or base of a column, but is also employed as a framing device on furniture and woodwork.

An astragal is commonly used to seal between a pair of doors. Exterior astragals are kerfed for weatherstripping. Also flush bolt hardware is commonly mortised into the astragal to hold the inactive door in place at the top and bottom.

Also known as “Meeting Stile Seals”, astragal is a term used for the seal that seals the central join of two swinging doors. An astragal is designed to be applied to one or both doors of a pair at their meeting edges (meeting stiles).The astragal closes the clearance gap for the purpose of either providing a weather seal, minimising the passage of light between the doors, or retarding the passage of smoke or flame during a fire.