Door Hinges: Types And Characteristics, Pros And Cons, As Well As How To Install Correctly

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Types of door hinges and their characteristics

One of the most important functional elements of the door is the hinge. They are necessary to connect the door leaf with the frame and provide door opening / closing. Without high-quality and reliable hinges, no door can function normally. In addition, it is also necessary to correctly install the door hinges, otherwise even the most expensive models will not be able to fully fulfill their functionality. Usually, door hinges come with a frame and door leaf, but situations often arise when they need to be replaced. This may be due to both breakage of the hinges and their inconsistency with the new design of the room.

Content

• 1 Purpose of door hinges

• 2 Types of door hinges: device description, pros and cons

  • 2.1 Site classification
  • 2.2 Left and right door hinges
  • 2.3 Detachable and universal hinges

  • 2.4 By design type

    • 2.4.1 Overhead door hinges
    • 2.4.2 Mortise door hinges
    • 2.4.3 Screw-in door hinges
    • 2.4.4 Corner door hinges
    • 2.4.5 Concealed door hinges
    • 2.4.6 Double-sided door hinges
    • 2.4.7 Bearing door hinges
  • 2.5 By material and type of coating
  • 2.6 Video: types of door hinges

• 3 Features of installing hinges on doors made of different materials

  • 3.1 Installation of hinges for PVC doors

  • 3.2 Installation of hinges for metal doors

    3.2.1 Video: installation of hinges on metal doors

  • 3.3 Installation of hinges for wooden doors

    3.3.1 Video: installation of patch hinges

  • 3.4 Installation of hinges for swing doors

  • 3.5 Installation of concealed hinges

    3.5.1 Video: installation of hidden hinges

  • 3.6 Installing hinges for rebated doors

    3.6.1 Video: Installation of screw hinges

  • 3.7 Fitting hinges for folding doors
  • 3.8 Installing roller shutter hinges
• 4 Reviews

Appointment of door hinges

In order for an entrance or interior door to work reliably and for many years, it must have a high-quality not only canvas and box, but all other elements, including hinges. The main purpose of these elements is to ensure smooth and easy closing or opening of the door leaf.

Door hinges connect the leaf and the frame, and also provide smooth door opening

In addition, the door hinges ensure that the door leaf is fixed in the frame, therefore high requirements are also placed on their strength and reliability. If weak hinges are installed on a heavy door, they will soon sag and will not be able to perform their functions. Both the entrance and interior doors are constantly in sight, so their canvas and other elements, including hinges, should harmoniously fit into the design of the room.

Types of door hinges: device description, pros and cons

When buying a door, you need to pay attention to the quality of the frame, leaf, door hinges. There are several types of awnings, their main qualification features will be as follows:

• place of installation;
• fastening method;
• material of manufacture;
• type of construction.

Now you can buy different types of doors. For plastic and metal structures, hinges and other accessories are already included in the kit, so you need to immediately pay attention to their quality. Interroom made of wood or MDF can be equipped with hinges or you have to buy them separately.

Installation site classification

At the installation site, awnings can be:

1. For entrance doors. They have high strength to withstand the weight of the curtain and a large number of opening and closing cycles. In addition, such hinges should provide security, that is, protect the sash from the possibility of removal and be an obstacle to unauthorized entry into the house.

   

   Hidden hinges are usually used for entrance doors.

2. For interior doors. They are less durable, but more elegant in appearance.

   

   Interior door hinges are less durable than canopies used for entrance doors

Left and right door hinges

If you decide to buy door hinges, you first need to decide whether you need right or left structures. This will depend on which side the door leaf opens.

If the handle is on the right side of the canvas and the door is opened with the left hand towards itself, then this will be the left structure, and vice versa.

Most European countries have adopted a different classification. Here they are guided not by the hand that opens the door, but by the direction of its movement. In addition, they open up from themselves. If you push the doors with your right hand and the canvas remains on the same side, then such structures are considered right, and vice versa.

There are left, right and universal hinges

This must be taken into account, so when buying loops, pay attention to the manufacturer. If you are not sure of your own knowledge, it is better to additionally consult with the seller.

When choosing a new door, it is necessary to take into account that its opening method complies with fire safety rules. In critical situations, a person usually pushes the canvas, rather than pulling it towards himself. Doors opening to the entrance should not block the exit of neighbors. Interior doors should also not block exits from other rooms. In addition, you must take into account that they do not interfere with you when moving large items.

Detachable and universal hinges

Now in stores you can buy universal hinges, but they are non-separable. Situations often arise when doors need to be removed. In the presence of left or right hinges, it is enough to open the canvas and raise it, and if universal models are installed, then you will have to unscrew the screws securing them.

Detachable hinges allow you to quickly remove the door leaf

By construction type

There are many different designs of door hinges, their choice depends on the type of door on which they will be installed. There are models that are only suitable for wood products, others are used for plastic, metal, aluminum, glass. When choosing hinges, one must take into account their number and placement, the material from which they are made, the dimensions and weight of the door leaf.

Overhead door hinges

The most common are overhead loops. They represent a rod and a hinge, plates are attached to it, with which the installation is performed. A classic option is considered when both parts of such a loop have the same plates. Now such models have been improved. They have one longer side, which makes installation much easier.

Modern overhead butterfly hinges are made in such a way that one part is cut into the other, so when closing the canvas, they do not interfere with each other. In such models, when they are in the closed position, a flat, straight surface is formed, the thickness of which corresponds to the thickness of one plate. To install such loops, you do not need to have special skills and tools, so even a beginner can cope with their installation.

The folded butterfly hinge has the same thickness as one plate

Advantages of overhead hinges:

• ease of installation;
• low cost;
• long service life;
• universality, they are not divided into right and left.

Among the disadvantages of this design, it is worth noting:

• the need to unscrew the loops when removing the canvas;
• increased risk of door skewing;
• the ability to use only for lightweight canvases;
• the need for a perfectly flat surface of the canvas and the box for installation.

Mortise door hinges

Such a design in its appearance resembles overhead hinges, it also has a card principle of structure. Between themselves, these two types differ in the way of installation. Such models cut into the end of the door leaf. They provide smooth opening and closing and do not spoil its appearance.

Mortise hinges have a card principle of structure

The main advantages of mortise hinges are their versatility, low cost and relatively simple installation. If we talk about the shortcomings, they will be the same as those of overhead structures.

Screw-in door hinges

Screw-in or screw-in hinges differ in their design compared to the previous versions. Several pins are attached to the hinge axis, which looks like a cylinder or a barrel, and with their help the elements are attached to the canvas and the box. Once installed, only the hinge remains visible.

To hide such hinges, there are special decorative caps. They are selected to match the door leaf, which is why after installation they merge with the door surface.

Screw-in hinges are fixed with pins

Screw-in hinges can only be installed on strong leaves, otherwise they can destroy the structure of the door and lead to cracks and chips.

Benefits:

• ease of installation;
• the ability to adjust in height, not all models have this characteristic;
• versatility;
• the ability to change the position of the door in two planes.

Disadvantages:

• the ability to use only on doors with a quarter;
• the need for dismantling to remove the door;
• impossibility of installation on fragile canvases.

Corner door hinges

If you look at the design of the corner awnings, it becomes clear that this is a kind of straight card models. They differ not in their functionality, but in their appearance. Instead of flat plates, corners are attached to the axial rod.

A feature of corner hinges is plate in the form of corners

If we talk about the advantages of corner awnings, then they will be the same as with other card loops, but in addition, there is the possibility of mounting on a canvas with a rebate. The main disadvantage is that they cannot be hidden, so they can spoil the appearance of the door.

Concealed door hinges

Hidden or hidden hinges are popular due to the fact that they are not visible when the canvas is closed. They are usually installed on entrance, luxury and expensive interior doors. Unlike card options, such models are mounted inside the canvas and box.

This type of awning has at least three pivot axles. To carry out their installation, you need to have special skills and tools. If you have never done this, then it is better to invite a specialist.

With closed doors, hidden hinges are not visible

Benefits:

• high safety, it is impossible to cut them when the doors are closed;
• long service life;
• external appeal, with closed doors they are not visible;
• increased strength, they can withstand heavy canvas.

Disadvantages:

• limited opening angle, which complicates the movement of large items;
• the complexity of installation, dismantling and repair;
• susceptibility to impacts, as a result of this, the blade may be skewed and jammed;
• high price.

Double sided door hinges

Double-sided hinges are widespread in public buildings, although they can also be used in a house or apartment. They have a special design, thanks to which they allow you to open the doors both towards yourself and away from you.

In terms of appearance, they are similar to card models, but have three plates. On the sides of the additional third plate there are two axes of rotation, which ensure the opening of the web in both directions.

Double-sided hinges allow doors to open in both directions

The main advantage of double-sided door hinges is the ability to open the door leaf in both directions, but this is rarely required in houses or apartments. If we talk about their shortcomings, then it should be noted the high cost and susceptibility to shock loads.

Bearing door hinges

This solution allows you to evenly distribute the weight of the web. Rolling or sliding bearings can be used, but in either case they ensure smooth movement of the door. For a light blade, you can use rolling bearing hinges. The sliding option provides low friction, but is not suitable for mounting lightweight blades.

Bearing loops distribute the weight of the blade evenly

Benefits:

• easy blade movement;
• ease of repair and replacement;
• even load distribution.

The disadvantages of this design are in their unattractive appearance, so they are usually used for mounting doors in utility rooms. With poor quality bearings, they can quickly fail.

By material and type of coating

If we talk about the materials used to create door hinges, then their choice will be relatively small:

1. Brass. Such hinges are the most popular, as they have high strength, ductility and can withstand the heavy weight of the door. Brass hinges are made by casting.
2. Steel. Hinges made of this material have the highest strength, reliability and durability. Stainless steel awnings are the most expensive. This solution is able to withstand the heavy weight of the door, therefore it is usually used for entrance structures. In Soviet times, steel hinges were made without decorative and anti-corrosion coating, so they did not look very attractive. Now they are becoming popular again.
3. Aluminum, steel, zinc alloys. They differ in low cost and wear out quickly.

Now there are a lot of counterfeit products. Unscrupulous manufacturers imitate popular brands, but the quality of such door hinges is very low, so they can collapse at any time.

Video: types of door hinges

Features of installing hinges on doors made of different materials

Before proceeding with the installation of door sheds, you need to prepare all the necessary tools:

• pencil or marker;
• roulette;
• caliper with a depth gauge;
• chisel;
• building level;
• carpentry square;
• hammer and mallet;
• a set of screwdrivers or screwdriver;
• welding machine;
• wooden wedges.

You will need both hand and power tools to install the door hinges.

Installation of hinges for PVC doors

PVC doors in the kit already have hinges, but over time, the door leaf may start to close poorly. This is due to the malfunction of the door sheds, and if their adjustment did not bring the desired result, then replacement will be required.

Usually plastic doors have overhead adjustable hinges. The sequence of their replacement is as follows:

1. Removing the decorative trim. This must be done.

   

   The decorative strip must be removed from the hinges.

2. Removing the door. It is opened slightly. Using a punch and a hammer, the protruding part of the cylinder is sunk on the upper hinge, after which the cylinder is removed with pliers. The canvas is slightly tilted towards itself, after which it is lifted up. It remains to take the canvas to the side.

   

   To remove the plastic door, pull the pin from the upper hinge

3. Removing loops. Using a hex wrench or screwdriver, unscrew them.

4. Installation of hinges. A new one is installed in place of the broken loop. It is recommended to select parts from the same manufacturer so that they match the mounting holes.

   

   The hinge is fixed to the door frame and leaf with fasteners

5. Installation of the canvas. It remains to install the door in its place, while all work is carried out in the reverse order.

Installation of hinges for metal doors

Installation of hinges on metal doors can be done by welding or threaded connections.

The mounting of the bearing hinges is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Placement of the box and door leaf. The door frame must be placed on a horizontal surface, after which the door leaf should be inserted into it. It is necessary to ensure that the gaps between the box and the canvas are the same on all sides.

2. Filling the loop with grease. To prevent the two halves of the part from joining during welding, it is necessary to fill in with grease.

   

   So that during the welding of the hinges they do not join, grease is stuffed inside

3. Installation of hinges. After installation in the right place, they are welded to the canvas and frame.

   

   The hinges are reliably welded to the canvas and the box

If the installation of hidden hinges is carried out, then:

1. In the canvas and the box, you must first make special holes for their installation.
2. After that, fix the mounting boxes in them by welding, into which the hidden hinges are then fixed.

For the installation of hidden hinges in the box and frame, holes are made for their installation

Video: installation of hinges on metal doors

Installation of hinges for wooden doors

For wooden doors, mortise structures are most often installed. This can be done in the following sequence:

1. Layout of seats. The hinges should be located at a distance of 20–25 cm from the top and bottom of the door leaf. There should be no knots or chips in this place. If they are, then the loop must be slightly displaced. The part is applied to the selected place and outlined with a pencil.

   

   The markup is done using a tape measure and a pencil.

2. Preparing the seat. Using a hammer and a chisel, a recess is cut out for mounting the hinge according to the finished marking. The depth must match the plate thickness of the part to be installed.

   

   Using a chisel and a hammer, prepare a seat

3. Loop fixation. Using self-tapping screws, the part is attached to the door leaf.

   

   The hinge is fixed with self-tapping screws

4. Door frame markings. The door is installed in the box, exposed in the vertical and horizontal directions, and then fixed with wedges. If there is a lock, then it must be closed. Mark the top and bottom of the loop on the box, then remove the canvas and outline the loop on the box.

5. Preparing the seat on the frame. Here they also make a seat for the loop, as previously cut out on the canvas.

   

   On the frame, the seat is prepared in the same way as on the canvas

6. Installation of the canvas and fixing the hinges. Put the door leaf again, it should be in a slightly open state, and wedges are used to fix it in the desired position. It remains to fix the hinges in the box.

Video: installation of overhead hinges

Installation of hinges for swing doors

In the case of pendulum or spring hinges, the installation process is not very different from the installation of conventional overhead hinges:

1. Markup. Places for each half of the hinge are marked on the door leaf and on the frame.

2. Preparation of loops. To release the spring in the pendulum hinge, the stopper must be removed from both cards.

   

   Spring hinges installation diagram: 1 - spring, 2 - hole in the bushing, 3 - stopper, 4 - screw, 5 - top nut

3. Installation of plates. They are fixed with self-tapping screws.

   

   The plates are fixed to the door leaf and box with self-tapping screws

4. Compression of springs. The doors are closed and the spring is pulled with a knob, after which it is fixed with a stopper.
5. Functionality check. It remains to check the operation of the door, and, if necessary, adjust the hinge springs.

During the operation of the door, the springs will weaken, so it is necessary to periodically adjust the hinges. If such parts are installed correctly, then the doors should open freely and independently return to their original position.

Installation of hidden hinges

First you need to decide how many loops you will install. It depends on the weight of the canvas. For a wooden door, two hidden hinges are enough, and for a metal structure there should be at least three of them.

Installation process:

1. Sash marking. To do this, put a loop in the place where it will be installed, and circle it with a pencil. There should be two contours: an internal one for the loop, and an external one for its lining.

   

   It is imperative to mark the places for installing the hinges

2. Box marking. The sheet is inserted into the door frame and marks are made on the box opposite the places marked on the sheet.

3. Milling of seats. The place for the lining is made with a chisel and a hammer. Next, a hole for the loop is drilled with a drill with a milling nozzle in accordance with its dimensions. The indentations should be both in the canvas and in the box.

   

   A place is prepared for the lining with a hammer and a chisel, and for the loop - with a router

4. Installation of hinges on the canvas. They are inserted into the recess and fixed with self-tapping screws.

5. Fastening the hinges to the door frame. Install the canvas and fix it in a slightly open state using wedges. The loop is inserted into the prepared recess on the box and fixed with self-tapping screws.

   

   The hinges are inserted into the prepared holes and fixed with self-tapping screws.

After the installation of the hidden hinges has been completed, it is necessary to adjust them.

Video: installation of hidden hinges

Installation of hinges for rebated doors

For rebated doors, screw hinges are most often used. The quantity is determined depending on the weight of the canvas. For lightweight structures, two screw-in loops are enough, and for heavy canvases you need to put 3-4 of them.

Installation process:

1. Marking of places on the door leaf. For the convenience of performing such work, you can use special racks.

2. Creation of places for fastening loops. The template is fixed on the canvas with a clamp. It usually comes with screw-in hinges or is purchased separately. Holes for the pins are drilled with an electric drill. Their depth and diameter must correspond to the dimensions of the fasteners.

   

   A template for creating holes for pins is usually supplied with screw-in loops

3. Installation of hinges. The corresponding parts of the hinges are mounted on the box and the canvas. For this, the pins are tightened with a screwdriver or screwdriver.

4. Hanging the canvas. It remains to put the canvas in place and put on decorative caps.

   

   After installing the hinges, the door is hung

Video: installation of screw hinges

Fitting hinges for folding doors

First you need to decide on the type of folding door design. It can be of two types:

• "Accordion" - is a combination of blinds and a folding door;

  

  Accordion doors consist of several strips of small width

• "Book" - consists of two asymmetric halves and has more powerful and wider panels than the previous version.

  

  Book doors have more powerful and wider panels

As such, there are no hinges for such a door. It moves along the guide installed at the top of the door. When you open it, the panels are stacked on top of each other.

Plates of the "accordion" door are already connected to each other and open by moving along the upper guide

Folding doors of the "book" type have two asymmetric leaves. For their manufacture, natural wood or MDF is used, so the weight of the structure is small. Such doors can be fixed on the door frame using overhead or mortise hinges. The canvases are connected with each other using butterfly loops.

Butterfly hinges are used to connect the door leaves "book"

Installation of hinges for blind doors

Louvered doors have recently begun to be used frequently as interroom doors. Instead of a solid canvas, they have louvers in the form of blinds. Such doors can have both pivoting and stationary lamellas. For their manufacture, natural wood, MDF, chipboard are used, so they are lightweight.

Louvered doors are a structure in which the door leaf consists of lamellas

Since the door leaf is lightweight, overhead, mortise, hidden, double-sided hinges can be used to fix it in the box.

Reviews

There are many options for hinges for installing interior and exterior doors. In order to make the right choice, one must take into account the material from which the canvas is made, its weight and dimensions. Having familiarized yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each type of door hinge, you can make the right choice. Only by properly installing them, you will ensure that they regularly perform their functions for many years. Door hinges can withstand a large weight of the curtain, and are also constantly subject to stress, therefore, they must be strong and reliable. Although the process of replacing them is not very time-consuming, it still takes some time and effort, so you should not save on this type of fittings.