Door Hinge Buying Guide: How to Find the Best Hinges
Keep your doors swinging smoothly by discovering what types of hinges you need.
Your doors are an integral part of your home. Exterior doors provide safety and protection while interior doors deliver privacy to the rooms of your home. Door hinges play an important role in making sure your interior and exterior doors operate properly.
Whether you’re installing a new door or simply trying to repair one in your home, it’s important to understand how the hinge works, and the integral role it plays in daily operation.
To help you learn more about this small, yet essential, piece of hardware, we’ve put together a detailed buying guide. Here are the main considerations you should be aware of when buying new door hinges for your home or office.
What Are Door Hinges?
The door hinge is the piece of hardware that connects your door to the frame, allowing it to open and close. When they’re working well, you don’t think much about them. When they’re not though, the door can get squeaky, start to sag, stick, and not open as smoothly as you want it to.
Parts of a Door Hinge
Before we can break down the different types of door hinges available, it’s important to understand the basic parts that comprise a door hinge.
- Leaf: Every hinge has two leaves. These are the flat plate portions of the hinge that attach to the door frame and the door itself.
- Knuckle: The knuckle is the looped portion at the end of each leaf. The knuckles are staggered so that the two leaves can be held together by sliding a pin through the knuckles.
- Pin: The pin is the long, skinny door hinge part that slides through the knuckles, securing the two leaves to one another. The hinges are able to rotate on the pin, allowing a door to open and close smoothly.
- Screw Hole: Each leaf will have a series of screw holes that allow you to secure the hinge to the door frame and to the door itself.
Door Hinges vs. Cabinet Hinges
Door hinges and cabinet hinges work in much the same way, but cabinet hinges perform their task on a much smaller scale.
- Cabinet hinges are only sturdy enough to support the weight and movement of a cabinet door.
- Door hinges feature a durable design that opens even the heaviest entry doors on an easy, sturdy swing with anywhere from two to four hinges.
Both cabinet and door hinges can be surface or mortise hinges, so learning about all types of door hinges will help you replace the hardware throughout your home.
Mortise vs. Surface Hinges
As you start to shop for door hinges, two terms you’ll see frequently are surface hinges and mortise door hinges. Understanding what each of these terms means and stopping to examine the hinges currently used on your doors will help you determine which ones make the best choice for your door. If your existing door already uses one of these installation types, make sure your replacement door hardware is designed for the same installation type to make the trade-out go as smoothly as possible.
If you’re buying door hinges and doors to be installed in a new house, you have more room to work with in choosing the door hinges you want. You will still need to make sure they work for the door you buy but won’t have to worry about them matching what came before. Let’s break down the difference between surface door hinges and mortise door hinges.
Surface Hinges
Surface hinges are installed right on the surface of the door frame and the door itself, making it the much easier route for installation. This type of hinge is commonly used on indoor, lightweight, hollow core doors.
Mortise Hinges
Mortise hinges are set into the surface of the door and the door frame, which can be an extra step during the installation process. However, that extra step can make the connection between the hinge, door, and frame more secure and durable.
If you’re looking for door hinges for a heavy or frequently used door, mortise hinges make a stronger and more reliable choice. Mortise hinges are more popular among exterior doors, as are mortise locks.
Types of Door Hinge Installations
There are four main types of door hinge installations:
- Full mortise: For these, the door hinge is designed to have a leaf each installed on the door and the frame, with each one sunk into the wood in a spot that’s been carved to fit.
- Half mortise: In this case, the leaf that’s installed on the door side is sunk into the wood in a spot carved to fit it, while the leaf installed on the door-frame side is connected to the surface of the frame.
- Full surface: Full surface mounting occurs when both the leaf on the door and the frame are connected to the surface of the wood.
- Half surface: Essentially the opposite of half mortise, a half surface mount is when the leaf attached to the door is applied to the surface and the one attached to the frame is installed in a spot carved to fit it.
Types of Door Hinges
One of the first things to figure out when buying new door hinges is the type you need. There are a lot of different types available, each of which are best suited for certain types of doors and uses.
If you’re simply replacing hinges that are worn out, you’ll probably want to stick with the same type of door hinge the door used before, so identify which category the current door hinges belong in and search for hinges within that same style.
Ball Bearing Hinges
Ball bearing hinges are a type of mortise door hinge, which means they’re designed to be installed sunk into the door and frame in a cutout made to fit. They’re a good choice for particularly heavy doors. They have bearings that are permanently lubricated to make opening and closing heavy doors smoother and ensure the hinges can stand up to frequent use with a heavy door. These are popular for exterior doors that are heavy, particularly doors at commercial businesses.
Plain Bearing Hinges
Plain bearing hinges are another type of mortise hinge. They’re a simple design and a common choice for both residential and commercial doors. A plain bearing hinge features a barrel made of multiple pieces that are held together by a pin. Sometimes the pin is removable to make removing the door easier, while other designs won’t be easily pried out. Nevertheless, a removable pin is still something to consider as you are browsing your options.
Butt Hinges
The butt hinge is one of the most popular types of plain bearing door hinges that are good for heavy doors. The butt hinge gets its name because both leaves are mortised into the door, allowing them to butt up against each other when the door is closed. They are commonly found on interior doors, but also have a use for exterior and commercial doors. These are easy to remove when needed and often have removable pins.
Spring Hinges
Spring hinges are a third type of mortise door hinge. Featuring a built-in spring within the barrel, this type of hinge is designed to automatically close the door after it has been opened.
Because they are designed to self-close, a spring hinge is a great fit for external doors, as it can keep the elements out and the air conditioning in. These are commonly found on garage doors because they help keep fumes from getting into the house.
Double-action spring hinges work both ways – automatically closing the door whether you open it in or out. They are more popular for lightweight doors like those at the entrance to a kitchen or dining room, especially in restaurants and other commercial businesses.
Concealed / European Hinges
European hinges, sometimes called concealed hinges or flush hinges, are mounted on the inside of the door, which means you don’t actually see them from the outside of the door. They are primarily used for cabinet doors, but some door hinges are made in this style because of their clean and modern look.
Continuous / Piano Hinges
Piano hinges, sometimes called continuous hinges, run the full length of the door, distributing the full weight of the door along the whole hinge. This is the type of hinge used for piano lids, hence the name. However, it’s also common to find these used on smaller household items, such as a jewelry box or storage chest.
For doors specifically, continuous piano hinges are the top choice for blast doors, commonly used on home safes, bank vaults, and bomb shelters.
Flush Hinges
Flush hinges are another common choice for cabinets or other lightweight interior doors. They’re partially hidden on the outside, but not entirely concealed like European hinges. They don’t require a cutout to be installed like mortise hinges; they can be attached to the surface of the door with screws, making them quick and easy to install.
Swing and Sway Hinges
Swing and Sway hinges are sometimes called café door hinges because that’s their main use. They hold the door away from the door frame slightly, so that when it swings open, the door stacks behind the door frame instead of in front of it. This saves a few extra inches for the door pass-through and makes it easier for wheelchairs to fit in a doorway without bumping into the open door. They’re designed to provide perfect door alignment by using in-out lateral adjustment. These hinges work quietly and make it easy to remove the door when needed.
Knuckle Hinges
Knuckle hinges have a small ball bearing in the middle, connected to two narrow strips that are attached to the door and frame. These are often used for decorative doors since only the knuckle is visible when the door is closed. They can be used for both light and heavy doors.
Ornate / Designer Door Hinges
Sometimes door hinges can be as fashionable as they are functional. When you want to jazz up the look of your door, consider shopping for ornate hinges.
One of the most common type of ornate hinges is the strap hinge, which can be featured on doors, cabinets, fence doors, and more. Barn door hardware is another type of specialty door hardware that may feature a type of strap hinge. They often have finial or scrolling design details in keeping with the architecture of the home.
Ornate hardware is especially prevalent in historic homes, as antique door hardware has a focus on artistry and craftsmanship. When you’re looking to replace antique door hinges in your home, turn to designer hinges that display that same attention to detail.
Measure the Height and Width of the Door Hinge
Door hinges come in a wide variety of sizes, but 3.5” is the most common size you’ll see for internal doors in your home, while 4” is more common for external doors.
If you’re replacing hinges, take a quick moment to measure the dimensions of the current door hinges from top to bottom, as well as side to side. Once you do, you can buy door hinges that meet those same measurements. 3-inch and 4.5-inch door hinges are also popular sizes.
Measuring the Corner Radius
Once you know the height and width, it’s time to measure the radius of the corner. If your door hinge has a corner that’s a 90° angle radius, then you have a square corner hinge, and no more measurements are necessary.
However, if your hinge has a rounded corner, then you will need to know the size of the radius of the corner. The easiest way to measure the corner radius is to use a dime or quarter. Simply place the coin on top of the hinge and see which one fits neatly into the corner.
- 5/8’’ radius: The edge of a Quarter will fit nicely along the curve.
- ¼'’ radius: A Dime will fit along the curve.
The height, width, and corner radius dimensions are all important to know. These measurements will enable you to choose new door hinges that will fit with the door and frame you already have.
Measure the Door Thickness & Weight
The door hinges you select need to be hearty enough to accommodate the weight of the door. Standard hinges are ideal for interior doors. When you have a particularly heavy exterior door or commercial door, heavy-duty hinges or commercial-grade hinges may be in order. As you shop for door hinges, look at the total weight capacity of the hinges to ensure they are built to hold up to the weight of your door.
The door thickness will help determine the proper width for the door hinge you’re considering. A door that’s especially thick or large will work better if you go with hinges that are five or six inches, rather than trying to make a smaller one work with it. Make sure that the door frame is also wide enough to accommodate the hinge size you’re choosing.
Door Hinge Materials
Door hinges are crafted from a few main materials, all of which are chosen for being durable and resistant to wear and tear.
- Stainless Steel: An affordable option that’s known for being strong and rust resistant.
- Brass, Iron, & Bronze: Generally considered a step up from stainless steel in terms of strength and durability, but also cost a bit more to account for it.
Many of these materials will be available in a variety of finishes, so choose the material you prefer to customize the look for your space according to the door hinge finish you select.
Door Hinge Style & Finish Options
One of the biggest considerations to make when buying door hinges is how they look.
For some styles of hinges, the main point is that they are not seen at all. They remain fully concealed within the frame. If you want the door itself to be more the focus, choose a style of door hinge that is largely invisible from the outside.
On the other end of the spectrum, you can choose door hinges that draw attention to themselves with styles and finishes that add a little something to the overall look of the door itself. For example, choosing a brightly colored finish, such as gold or silver, on an otherwise basic door may just provide the needed contrast to make it more striking. Or you can go even further and look for decorative hinges that include designs that add a touch of charm and seamlessly blend into the rest of the decor in your home.
Many door hinges fall in between these two options. They’re visible, but they’re designed not to draw too much attention to themselves. You won’t really notice them unless you’re paying attention, or the door starts to malfunction.
This is the most common option for most homeowners and will often be the most affordable and practical one to go for. When in doubt, choose a door hinge finish that coordinates with the doorknob finishes and the metallic tones of other elements throughout the home.
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