Door reveal
A door reveal is the lining that finishes the sides and head of a door opening, forming the visible face of the frame between the wall and the door stop.
Ask Chalkline about this →A door reveal (also called door lining) is the flat board that lines the sides and head of a door rough opening, bridging the gap between the wall framing and the finished wall surface. The reveal sits flush with (or slightly proud of) the plastered or sheeted wall face and forms the visible frame around the opening on both sides of the wall. Architrave moulding is then applied over the junction between the reveal face and the wall lining to cover the gap and provide a finished appearance.
Internal door reveals are typically 18 mm primed MDF or 19 mm finger-jointed pine. The reveal must be set plumb on the hinge jamb and level across the head, shimmed off the rough framing, before the door leaf is hung. An out-of-plumb reveal causes the door leaf to drift open or closed under its own weight. The gap between the door leaf edge and the face of the door stop is also called the reveal, typically set at 2 to 3 mm all round at practical completion.
Also known as: reveal, door lining, door frame lining
Category: Joinery and finishing
Related
- Internal doors: hollow core vs solid core, door types, hardware and install sequence
- Skirting and architrave installation
See also
Last updated: 2026-05-10. Verified: 2026-05-10.