Hinges are a vital component in doors, windows and cabinets. They are made of flat surfaces or leaves pierced and joined by a pin or rod. The knuckles on the hinge allow the pin to move freely between two parts. There are several types of hinges, depending on the application. Below are some of the common ones and when to use them:
Butt Hinges
Adjustable friction hinges are one of the most common types of hardware found in many applications. Their versatility has made them one of the most useful inventions to date. Essentially, they join two bodies, allowing angular movement in one direction while prohibiting translations and rotations in other directions. Butt hinges are a type of this kind. They are produced utilizing several methods, such as forming, extrusion, casting, cutting and milling. Depending on the hinge size, the source material, the cost, and the technology available, a certain approach is selected. The key features of a butt hinge include the leaf (flat portion), knuckle or barrel, and pin. The leaf width and length are also important considerations, as is the paint clearance.
Pivot Hinges
Pivot hinges are typically used on extra-heavy or high-traffic doors. They support the door weight from both the bottom arm and floor, reducing stress on the frame assembly and helping to prevent the sagging of the door or frame. Some offer a series of offset pivot hinges that provide a larger range of motion for doors with protruding trim, beaded edges or other features that might limit the opening of a typical butt hinge. These hinges are designed to meet ADA requirements and offer a clean, streamlined appearance. Choose from stainless steel, brass, and wrought iron. These durable materials can be fire-rated and are rust-resistant. You can also find compatible options for shower applications and offer a 90deg hold open feature.
Spring Hinges
Hinges are a basic mechanism that keeps doors and gates open or closed, but they can also be custom-modified to suit your application. Hinges can be trimmed, offset, swaged, bent, and finished in the finish of your choosing. Spring hinges are commonly used in hospitals, rest homes and offices to ensure door privacy and confidentiality. They keep the door shut and can be adjusted to control the speed at which it closes. Hinges are commonly made from steel or stainless steel and can be plated in your color. They are usually rated for use indoors, in low-humidity environments and can be fire-rated. The number of knuckles can vary depending on your hinge type.
Concealed Hinges
Industrial concealed hinges, or “hold door closed” hinges, are used in work locations to keep doors closed and out of the way for workers. They use spring tension to close and stay closed without needing a latch. Concealed hinges are fully covered European-style hinge that offers a clean look to cabinet and furniture doors. They are typically used in face-frame and frameless cabinets with overlay or 3/8″ inset doors. When selecting a concealed hinge, determine how much of the cabinet or face frame the door covers to find the correct bore distance. Hinge datasheets include the mounting plate thickness and hinge crank (an offset built into the hinge arm) to help you select a proper bore value for a desired overlay.
Side-Mount Hinges
One side of this shower door hinge is anchored to the frameless glass panel, and the other is mounted on either a wall or another glass panel. This type of hinge is a good option for lighter-weight glass shower doors and cabinets. It also helps eliminate the need for a top header, which detracts from a frameless look. For a door or cabinet to revolve around a center point, pivot hinges are attached at the top and bottom of the object. It is the only hinge type that allows a true revolving entry. Pivot hinges are heavier than side-mount hinges and require more clearance space on the sides of the door. They also work best with larger and heavier doors, and you may need a support bar to help prevent the door from swinging out too far.
