Terms & Definitions

Learn common hardware and home improvement terms, from speciality cabinet pulls and hook types to handrails, anchors, and more.

ANCHORS & INSTALLATION

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  • A blue camping tarp anchored with an orange ground sleeve and silver carabiner, set up over grass in the rain with a trailer visible in the background.

    Ground Anchor

    A device that screws or secures into the soil to help hold outdoor items firmly in place. Ground anchors can be used to secure tents, tarps, canopies, seasonal decorations, landscaping materials, outdoor furniture, pet leads, and other equipment exposed to wind or movement. Also commonly known as screw-in ground anchors, spiral ground anchors, ground screw anchors, yard anchors, and garden anchors.

  • Loop Strap

    An accessory strap that attaches items like soccer goals or grill and cooking sets to the ground anchor. It replaces the need for ropes and makes tie-downs easier and more secure for certain items.

  • Screw-In Anchor (Spiral Anchor)

    A metal, spiral-shaped ground anchor that inserts into the ground to provide tie-down security. The top has a C-loop or other attachment point for ropes, chains, cords, or straps attached to the item needing to be secured. Spiral anchors tend to be more heavy-duty.

  • Yard Anchor

    A ground anchor designed to secure outdoor items such as signs, stakes, garden decor, or landscape accessories. Typically used for more lightweight duty with a stake-style or screw-in design.

BATH HARDWARE

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  • Allen Wrench

    A small L-shaped tool used to tighten or loosen set screws on bath accessories and hardware. Also called a hex key.

  • Free-Standing Toilet Paper Holder

    A portable toilet paper holder that stands on the floor and does not require wall installation. Many also offer storage for backup rolls. Benefit: easy to place anywhere in the bathroom, making it ideal for renters, remodels, or bathrooms without convenient wall-mount locations.

  • Mounting Posts

    The decorative portions of a bathroom accessory that attach to wall-mounted brackets and support items such as towel bars or toilet paper holders.

  • Open-Arm Toilet Paper Holder

    An open toilet paper holder with one hook arm that holds rolls. Also known as a swing arm toilet paper holder, it allows rolls to slide on and off without removing a roller or pivoting arm. Benefit: provides the fastest and easiest roll replacement while offering a modern, streamlined look.

  • Pivoting Toilet Paper Holder

    A toilet paper holder with a pivoting arm that swings open, making it easy to replace the roll without removing any parts. Benefit: quick and convenient roll changes with a secure hold that helps keep the roll in place.

  • Set Screw Installation

    A mounting method that secures bath accessories using a small screw tightened against a mounting bracket, typically with an Allen wrench.

  • Simple Snap™

    An innovative Delta® installation system designed to simplify bathroom accessory installation and replace traditional set-screw mounting methods. Accessories click firmly into place using a bracket system.

  • Single Post (Euro) Toilet Paper Holder

    A toilet paper holder supported by a single mounting post with an open-ended arm. Often called a European-style toilet paper holder. Benefit: makes changing rolls simple while delivering a clean, minimalist design that complements modern bathrooms.

  • Spring-Loaded Toilet Paper Holder

    A toilet paper holder that uses a spring-loaded roller bar. The roller compresses to remove and replace toilet paper rolls. Benefit: a classic, widely compatible design that securely holds standard toilet paper rolls.

  • Toilet Paper Holder

    A bathroom accessory that stores and dispenses toilet paper. Common styles include pivoting, spring-loaded, open-arm, freestanding, and recessed holders.

DECORATIVE CABINET HARDWARE

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  • Adjusta-Pull™

    An adjustable cabinet pull designed to fit multiple center-to-center hole measurements, making it ideal for replacing hard-to-find or non-standard pull sizes.

  • Bail Pull

    A decorative pull with a swinging handle attached to two mounting points, commonly found on classic furniture and cabinetry.

  • Bar Pull

    A straight, elongated cabinet pull that provides a modern look and comfortable grip. One of the most popular pull styles.

  • C Pull

    A cabinet pull shaped like the letter C, creating a comfortable grip while maintaining a clean, contemporary appearance.

  • Center-to-Center (CTC)

    The distance between the centers of two mounting holes on a cabinet pull. Also called hole-to-hole measurement.

  • Decorative Cabinet Hardware

    Visible cabinet hardware designed to enhance the look of cabinets and furniture, including knobs, pulls, cup pulls, finger pulls, and specialty hardware.

  • Finger Pull

    A low-profile pull designed to be grasped with your fingertips. Often used on modern or minimalist cabinetry.

  • Hollow Cabinet Hardware

    Hardware made with a hollow interior to reduce weight and material while maintaining appearance and functionality.

  • L-Knob

    A hybrid between a knob and a pull that mounts with a single screw. Its L-shaped profile provides additional grip compared to a traditional knob. Often called a one-hole cabinet pull.

  • Rear-Mount Installation

    A mounting method where the hardware or accessory attaches to the back of the cabinet or face frame instead of the cabinet side. Common with face-frame drawer slide installations.

  • Solid Cabinet Hardware

    Hardware made from solid metal throughout the product, often offering greater weight and potential durability, depending on the intended use.

  • T-Knob

    A knob shaped like the letter T that installs using a single screw. Also known as a one-hole cabinet pull because it combines the look of a pull with the simple installation of a knob.

FUNCTIONAL CABINET HARDWARE

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  • 3/4 Extension Drawer Slides

    Drawer slides that allow the drawer to open 75% of the way, limiting some access to the back of the drawer contents. Best used on shallow drawers or ones where items can be pulled easily from the front half of the drawer.

  • Ball Bearing Drawer Slides

    A type of side-mount slide that uses steel ball bearings for smooth operation. Most ball bearing slides are side-mount and offer full extension and higher weight capacities.

  • Bottom-Mount Drawer Slides

    Drawer slides mounted beneath the drawer edges. Often called roller slides, they are commonly used in light- to medium-duty applications.

  • Drawer Slide Extension

    The percentage or distance a drawer can open relative to its length. Common options include 3/4 extension and full extension drawer slides.

  • Face Frame Cabinets

    Cabinets with a wood frame attached to the front of the cabinet box. This is the most common cabinet style in the United States.

  • Face Frame Drawers

    Drawers installed inside a face frame cabinet. These often require special brackets or rear-mount sockets when installing drawer slides.

  • Frameless Cabinets

    Cabinets without a front face frame. Often called European-style cabinets, they offer a clean, modern appearance.

  • Frameless Drawers

    Drawers installed in frameless cabinets, where drawer slides typically mount directly to the cabinet walls.

  • Full-Extension Drawer Slides

    Drawer slides that allow the drawer to open completely, providing access to the entire drawer contents. Best for deep drawers or ones used multiple times a day.

  • Functional Cabinet Hardware

    Hardware that helps cabinets and drawers open, close, and operate smoothly, including drawer slides, hinges, catches, and mounting accessories.

  • Roller Drawer Slides

    A budget-friendly drawer slide that uses rollers instead of ball bearings. Roller slides are typically bottom mounted and offer 3/4 extension.

  • Self-Closing Drawer Slides

    Drawer slides that automatically pull a drawer closed when it is pushed most of the way in.

  • Side-Mount Drawer Slides

    Drawer slides installed along the sides of a drawer. They are commonly used in residential cabinetry and are available in standard, self-close, and soft-close options.

  • Slide Member

    An individual rail or component of a drawer slide assembly that allows the drawer to move in and out smoothly.

  • Soft-Close Drawer Slides

    Drawer slides with a built-in damping mechanism that slows the drawer before it closes, helping prevent slamming.

HOOKS

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  • Hat & Coat Hook

    A wall-mounted hook with two prongs vertically stacked. The top prong is longer and the bottom prong is shorter to allow layered hanging, such as a hat on top and coat on bottom. Coat and hat hooks can be used to hang coats, hats, bags, pet leashes and harnesses, and other accessories.

  • J Hook

    A hook shaped like the letter J that provides quick and easy hanging for lightweight items.

  • Post Hook

    A hook mounted to a decorative base or post that projects outward from the wall, commonly used for towels, robes, bags, or coats.