Types of hinges and where to use them

There are a wide variety of hinge types available and every hinge type has a different use in different applications. In cabinet doors, interior doors (or internal doors) and exterior doors, you need to be using different types of hinges. In this article, we cover:

Understanding door hinges
What are the different types of hinges?
Exterior hinges vs. interior hinges

Understanding door hinges

What are the different types of door hinges? First, you need to understand doors and we mean more than just asking yourself are they heavy doors? Often issues with doors can be blamed on the wrong hinge being used and assuming the hinge is simply a 'door hinge'. All standard and industrial hinges have to contend with several factors regarding doors:

• Vertical load, which is determined by gross door weight
• Horizontal load, which combines door height-to-width ratio, door weight and where the hinges are placed

Another often-overlooked area is the frequency of use. This requires you to estimate how often the door will open and close through the course of a day. Considering the type of door is crucial - ask yourself what type of door is it you are fitting the hinge to. Is it entry doors or cabinet doors or heavy entryway doors? You can break this down into three categories:

• Low frequency: doors used ten times or less each day
• Medium frequency: doors used 10 to 24 times each day
• High-frequency: doors used more than 25 times daily

You then need to know what weight capacity suits your applications. Combine the frequency with your door's weight. This will help you determine whether you need standard or heavy-duty hinges.

When do you need heavy-duty door hinges?

Use this as a general guide for choosing a standard or heavy-duty hinge.

For more in-depth information on the relationship between doors and hinges, please see our guide, How to size hinges.

Cabinet doors, however, aren’t the only application for hinges, which is why you’ll also find different cabinet-hinge types. An outdoor telecom equipment cabinet needs hinges. So does an outdoor utility cabinet, a rack mount cabinet, a data centre server cabinet, an outdoor electrical junction box – hinges are also an HVAC system component. You’ll find it helpful to check out our guide, Choosing the right enclosure hinge.

What are the different types of hinges?

Not all hinge types are right for every application, which is why it helps to understand what your choices are. To help you determine what type of hinge you need, here are some common hinges, along with their applications.

Corner hinges

Typically used: metal cabinets and machine covers

A corner hinge sits flush to the surface. To prevent tampering, they’re mounted internally, although external metal corner hinges - usually used on machines – are an exception. Corner hinges contain a pin that you can take out when the door is open. This, in turn, allows you to remove the door for maintenance or access.

Lift-off hinges

Typically used: HVAC systems, industrial generators

Think of doors that see frequent use. For applications like this, you want lift-off hinges that simplify the removal of doors when you need easy access to maintenance and repair. When the panel that the hinge is attached to is opened, the top part of the hinge lifts off from the bottom part. These are also known as door-removal hinges.

Offset hinges

Typically used: hospital doors, warehouse doors

Types of offset hinges are designed to add extra clearance to doorways. Also known as swing-clear hinges, you can open the door so that it’s out of the way, giving you complete access to the entire width of the doorway. Offset hinges move the hinge pin farther away from the doorjamb. When the door is opened to 90 degrees, it is set back at least two inches from the doorway, making the opening larger. Without these hinges, you’d need to create a larger opening and install a larger door.

Continuous hinges

Typically used: Barn doors, fire doors, electrical doors, cabinets, enclosures, furniture making

Also known as piano hinges, which stems back to their original purpose: to secure a piano lid to the piano body. Today, they’re also used to distribute weight and minimise stress on the door or cabinet in light, medium and heavy-duty industries. A continuous hinge is great for applications that are constantly being opened and closed, and subject to intense wear and tear.

You can learn more in our Guide to piano hinges, including how to install them.

Leaf hinges

Typically used: Server cabinets

Concealed mounting screws prevent external access to the hinge, making it ideal when security matters. Leaf hinges suit plain/flush-mounted doors and left- and right-handed applications.

Concealed hinges

Typically used: Enclosures, machinery covers

Concealed hinges are installed inside enclosures such as an outdoor telecom equipment cabinet to stop anyone from tampering with them from the outside. Aesthetically, concealed hinges provide a minimalist look and feel by not showing any hardware.

Side hinges

Typically used: IP electrical enclosures, wall-mount rack enclosures, server cabinet

Side-mount hinges are another high-security option, ideal for applications that present awkward space. These also work well when a standard hinge can’t give you the opening that you need.

Weld-on hinges

Typically used: Vault doors, armoured vehicles, fire doors, shipping containers and construction projects.

If your application is permanent and not to be tampered with, opt for weld-on hinges. Their life span is longer than screw-on door hinges. The designs are simple, and you can use them on different types of materials. There’s also the added bonus that they’re non-obtrusive and can be painted to match the metal surface to which they’re applied.

Exterior hinges vs. interior hinges

Interior doors are typically made of wood while exterior doors are often metal. Exterior door hinges tend to be thicker than indoor hinges (or interior doors hinges) to support the heavier doors. Because exterior doors have to withstand the elements, their hinges have to work harder. Materials play an important role in any hinge, but especially those that have to perform outdoors.

Hinge materials

The constant opening of doors and cabinets wear hinges down. Environmental factors can also affect hinges. Choosing the right material for your hinge helps prolong its life. For instance, stainless steel hinges resist rust – an important factor if your application is near the ocean or will be exposed to the outdoors – and have the strength to bear heavy doors. However, stainless steel doesn’t take to coating materials, so it’s more common to use this material for hidden hinges.

Hinges are made in a wide variety of materials with different properties. The one you choose depends on your application. For instance, brass vs steel piano hinge? Brass is a good option when appearance matters, while steel is stronger.

Aluminium, for instance, is ideal for automotive applications due to its lightweight characteristics, while stainless steel is perfect for pharmaceutical, kitchens and hospitals, as it’s easy to maintain and keep clean. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a plastic with a low melting point and high resistance to most chemicals, so it’s typically used on indoor protective housings.

Typical hinge materials

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