So you’ve bought the perfect door for your space, it has exactly the theme you’re looking for and the finish is better than you have ever seen. But, now that you’re taking a closer look, you forgot to get the right Door Hinges to go with it. You go back to the store and find a massive selection of designs and materials and suddenly you find yourself standing in the aisle, confused. How does one go about picking the right door hinge? Hopefully, this article will be able to break down this daunting task and provide you with the tools you need to make this decision!
First things first: What are door hinges?
Hinges are the mechanical hardware used to attach a door to its frame. They serve as the pivot point for opening and closing the door. Replacing an old door or hanging a new one, hinges are an important part of the structure and the type you choose depends on where you’ll install them and what finish you’re trying to achieve.
Now: What are the different types of door hinges?
Generally, the types can be divided into two main categories
1. Interior Door Hinges
These refer to the Door Hinges used on doors within your home. A variety of styles are available, each with its respective benefit and drawback. Here are the main ones you should be aware of:
2. The Double Action Spring
Although these are one of the most popular types of door hinges, they aren’t suitable for the outdoors as they can’t hold the weight of a steel or fiberglass door. Other names for this hinge include the café, sway, swing, and saloon door hinge. It is most commonly used in the kitchen and dining room. This type of hinge allows your door to swing both ways and is constructed from two cylinders that come together against a square hinge leaf.
3. The Butterfly
These are another common type, used due to their decorative features. Similar to the double action, this hinge cannot hold the weight of external heavy doors and hence is reserved for interior installment. If you’re looking to add a bit of flair and spice up your spaces, the glamorous designs for customized butterfly hinges should be of interest. As well as doors, this type of hinge is pretty well suited to most home project ideas such as cabinets and closets.
4. The Bi-Fold
The Bi-Fold hinge is less common when it comes to your average door hinge, and for good reason! For the instances when one may need a hinge with multiple leaves of varying lengths, such as for any application where two doors or panels are expected to swing in two directions, the design of the Bi-Fold will be able to accommodate that purpose. All Bi-Fold hinges feature three leaves, two knuckles, and two pins. The outer leaves are attached to the surfaces and the center leaf is what allows for multidirectional motion.
5. The Concealed
A concealed hinge allows for pivoting motion without being seen. This hinge is best for when you are trying to draw attention to the design of the door without attracting any attention to the way it is installed. The hinge consists of a bracket and a pivot. The latter is installed in the recess of the door where it will be unseen from the outside whereas the former allows the door to be opened at a 90-degree angle. Usually, these are more suited to rooms that will not receive much movement and use, but rather will be showcased for a specific purpose.
6. The Flag
This type of hinge is less common and typically found attached to PVC doors. It is designed to swivel around a pin, giving a range of 360-degree movement. This is often only applicable in specific situations for example rotating doors found in malls.
7. Exterior Door Hinges
If you’re looking for Exterior Door Hinges, some qualities you should consider are strength, durability, and the ability to resist harsh weather conditions. An additional requirement may be security for your home against burglars Let’s discuss a few of the best options in this category:
8. The Butt
One of the most common options is called the butt hinge. These hinges consist of two identical leaves; one is able to move while the other is fixed in place. These leaves are then attached to a curled barrel allowing the door to open and close. One main advantage is the ability of this hinge to withstand and support a lot of weight often found in steel or fiberglass doors.
9. The Flush
Flush hinges are another popular option, particularly for small rooms. They are designed to save space and are quite durable despite their small, compact size. One leaf compresses against the other when the door is shut, saving space. However, they do not have the strength like butt hinges and will break if the door is too heavy.
10. The Ball Bearing
This is different from the ball-bearing butt hinge. This hinge is one of the most durable options on the market, designed to work with heavy and wide doors. The design of a ball-bearing hinge reduces the friction between the two knuckles of the hinge which tends to wear it down with use over time. These are best suited for entry doors which tend to be larger and used more often. Another great advantage of this design is reduces squeaking, allows for smoother movement and is a suitable option for gates as well.
What are the different colors of Door Hinges?
Keep in mind that this is subjective to the trends of the market and your personal taste. We can break down the variety into the material used as well as the finishing has given. Typical materials include:
- Brass
- Chrome
- Nickel
- Bronze
- Stainless Steel
The finishes available on the market include:
- Satin
- Polished
- Antique
- Stainless
It is important to note that whilst these are the commonly available materials and finishes, there are others such as powdered matt and electro. The combination you pick depends on the door itself, the Door Knob, and the room to the door will be attached.
How much do door hinges cost?
Ironmongery Solutions offers a large selection of door hinges in every color and finish you may desire for your project. They range from as little as £1.51 to £83.47 depending on size, material, design, and finish.
How do fit door hinges?
Replace your door hinges yourself in as few as four steps! You will need a Phillips screwdriver and tape measure. Leave the door in place as you work and replace the hinges one at a time.
Step 1: Firstly, you’ll need to remove the screws on both leaves of the existing hinge using your screwdriver.
Step 2: Now remove and replace the old hinge with the new hinge.
Step 3: Screw the new hinge in place.
Step 4: Repeat this process for each remaining hinge, one at a time!
That’s it! We hope this article has given you what you’ve been looking for and we wish you the best on your door hinge-finding journey. Ironmongery Solutions has over 10 decades of experience with over 30,000+ satisfied customers. Our website provides trusted quality products for your home and business, from the experts of Ironmongery and furnishing.
