Types of Hinges for Doors and Cabinets
Door hinges are essential pieces of hardware that connect a door to its frame or a cabinet to its body. They allow the door or cabinet to swing open and closed, while also providing stability and support. In this guide we’ll show you different types of hinges, how they work and how to choose the best ones for your project.
How to Choose Door Hinges
When selecting the right door hinge for your project, you’ll need to consider a few factors:
- Vertical load, or how much your doors weigh will factor into your decision. Choose a hinge that is rated to hold the expected weight of your doors.
- Horizontal load, or the door height-to-width ratio combined with the door weight and location of your hinges.
- How much usage your doors will get will also help to determine they type of hinge you should use.
Most Common Types of Hinges for Doors
Butt Hinge
A butt hinge consists of two metal plates, one of which is attached to the door or cabinet and the other to the frame, which are joined together by a pin that runs through their knuckles. This allows the door or cabinet to swing open and closed smoothly.
Ball-Bearing Hinge
Ball-bearing hinges resemble traditional butt hinges but have small ball bearings encased within the knuckles, which help to reduce friction and provide a smoother, quieter operation when the door is opened or closed. The ball bearings also distribute the weight of the door more evenly across the hinge, making it a more durable option for heavy use.
Spring Hinge
A spring hinge is a type of hinge that features a spring mechanism built into it, allowing the door or gate to close automatically when it is released from an open position. This type of hinge is ideal for doors that need to be self-closing. A double-action spring hinge is a type of spring hinge that allows the door or gate to swing in both directions, making it ideal for use in areas with heavy foot traffic where doors need to open in both directions.
Concealed Hinge
A concealed hinge is a type of hinge that is designed to be completely hidden from view when the door or cabinet is closed. This type of hinge is typically used in modern or minimalist interiors where the design calls for a clean, uncluttered look. Concealed hinges are also a popular choice for cabinets, as they allow the doors to open fully without obstruction and can be adjusted to ensure a smooth, precise operation.
Offset Hinge
An offset hinge is a type of hinge where the pivot point is not centered, but rather located to one side of the hinge plates. This creates an offset between the door or frame and the hinge, allowing the door to swing clear of the frame. Offset hinges are commonly used on doors that require extra clearance, such as doors that need to swing over thick carpets, raised thresholds, or other obstacles.
Strap Hinge
A strap hinge is a type of hinge that consists of a long, narrow metal strip (or "strap") attached to the door or gate and to the frame. This type of hinge is commonly used on gates, barn doors, sheds, and other outdoor structures that require a sturdy and durable hinge. They are often used in traditional or rustic settings, where their exposed design adds to the overall aesthetic.
How to Choose Cabinet Hinges
When choosing a cabinet hinge, it's important to consider the style of your cabinet and the type of door overlay you have. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
- For frameless cabinets, choose a Euro-style hinge, which is designed to attach to the inside of the cabinet and allows for full adjustability of the door position.
- For framed cabinets, choose a traditional hinge, which is designed to attach to the face frame of the cabinet.
- For full-overlay doors, choose a full-overlay hinge, which is designed to cover the entire face of the cabinet and door.
- For partial-overlay doors, choose a partial-overlay hinge, which is designed to cover part of the face of the cabinet and door.
- For inset doors, choose an inset hinge, which is designed to mount to the inside of the cabinet and door.
Overall, it's important to choose a hinge that is compatible with your cabinet style and door overlay, and to look for features that make installation and adjustment easy and convenient.
Most Common Types of Hinges for Cabinets
Full-Overlay Hinge
A full-overlay hinge is a type of cabinet hinge that is designed to cover the entire face of the cabinet and door. This type of hinge is commonly used with full-overlay cabinet doors, which are doors that cover the entire front of the cabinet. Full-overlay hinges are available for both framed and frameless cabinet styles.
Partial Overlay Hinge
A partial-overlay hinge is a type of cabinet hinge that is designed to cover part of the face of the cabinet and door. This type of hinge is commonly used with partial-overlay cabinet doors, which are doors that cover only part of the front of the cabinet, leaving a gap between the doors when they are closed. Partial-overlay hinges are available in both framed and frameless cabinet styles.
Inset Hinge
An inset hinge is a type of cabinet hinge that is designed to mount to the inside of the cabinet and door, allowing the door to sit flush with the face frame of the cabinet. This type of hinge is commonly used with inset cabinet doors, which are doors that are set into the face frame of the cabinet, creating a flush surface. Inset hinges are available in both framed and frameless cabinet styles.
Semi-Concealed Hinge
A semi-concealed hinge is a type of cabinet hinge that is designed to be partially visible from the outside of the cabinet, while the other half is concealed inside the cabinet. This type of hinge is commonly used with overlay cabinet doors, which are doors that cover part of the face frame of the cabinet, leaving a gap between the doors when they are closed. Semi-concealed hinges are typically used with framed cabinets.
Scissor Hinge
A scissor hinge is a type of cabinet hinge that is designed to allow the cabinet door to swing out and away from the cabinet at a wider angle than traditional hinges. This type of hinge is commonly used with flush-mounted cabinet doors that are set into the cabinet frame. Scissor hinges are typically used with framed cabinets.
Piano Hinge
A piano hinge, also known as a continuous hinge, is a type of hinge that runs the entire length of a door or lid, providing continuous support and strength. This type of hinge is commonly used for heavy-duty applications, such as on piano lids or large cabinet doors. Piano hinges can be used with both framed and frameless cabinets.
Specialty Door and Cabinet Hinges
Heavy-Duty Gate Hinge
A heavy-duty gate hinge is a type of hinge that is designed to support heavy gates or doors, such as those found on barns, gates and sheds. These hinges are typically made from durable materials such as steel or stainless steel and are designed to handle heavy weights and frequent use.
Garage Door Hinge
A garage door hinge is a type of hinge that is used to attach the individual sections of a garage door together. These hinges are typically made from durable materials such as steel or aluminum, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit different types of garage doors. Garage door hinges are designed to provide smooth and reliable operation of the garage door, allowing it to open and close with ease.
Garage door hinges are typically numbered according to their size and position on the door. The numbers indicate the gauge of the metal used to make the hinge, as well as the hinge's location on the door.
Soft-Close Hinge
A soft-close hinge is a type of cabinet hinge that is designed to close the cabinet door slowly and softly, without slamming or making a loud noise. These hinges are typically used in kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as other types of furniture. Soft-close hinges typically feature a hydraulic mechanism that controls the speed and force of the closing action, and they may also include adjustable settings to allow for fine-tuning of the closing speed and angle.
Self-Closing Hinge
A self-closing hinge is a type of hinge that is designed to automatically close a door once it has been opened. Self-closing hinges typically use a spring mechanism to provide the necessary force to close the door, and they may also feature adjustable tension settings to allow for fine-tuning of the closing force.
Types of Hinge Mounts
There are two ways to mount your cabinet hinges: surface mount, or mortise mount. The main difference between surface mounting and mortise mounting your cabinet hinges is the way they are installed on the cabinet.
Surface mount hinges are attached to the surface of the cabinet frame or door, while mortise mount hinges are recessed into a cut-out or mortise in the cabinet frame or door.
Surface mount hinges are easier to install and require less preparation work, making them a popular choice for quick and simple cabinet upgrades. Mortise mount hinges, on the other hand, offer a more streamlined appearance since they are hidden from view, but they require more effort and skill to install since the mortises need to be cut to a precise depth and size to ensure a proper fit.
Hinge Material and Finishes
Door hinges come in various materials and finishes to suit different design and functional requirements.
Stainless steel is a popular choice for its durability and resistance to corrosion, making it ideal for outdoor and high-moisture environments. Brass is another popular material for its elegant appearance and versatility, while bronze offers a rustic and timeless look. Pewter and copper are less common but still used for their unique appearance and durability.
As for finishes, primed hinges are typically unfinished and ready for painting, while polished finishes offer a shiny and smooth appearance. Plated finishes are applied over a base metal, such as brass or steel, to achieve a desired appearance, while rust-resistant finishes are applied to prevent corrosion and maintain the appearance of the hinge over time.