Door hinges: types, features of selection and installation

Hinges are one of the most important door elements. They are needed to adhere the door leaf to the frame, and in addition, it is the hinges that provide the ability to open and close the doors. They are usually sold with a door structure. But sometimes there are situations in which the hinges need to be replaced and then it is very important to acquire the correct mechanisms and mount them with high quality.

The main function of door hinges is to provide easy opening and closing of any type of door leaf. Another important function of these elements is to ensure the fixation of the entire array in the door frame, therefore, the highest quality and reliability requirements are imposed on these hardware elements.

There is a wide variety of door hinges: removable, pendulum, frog, spring, with a door closer, adjustable, double, double-sided opening and many others. Moreover, the grounds for their classification are:

• place of fasteners;
• installation features;
• used material;
• type of main structure.

Several types of hinges are distinguished at the place of fasteners.

1. Accessories for entrance structures - they are characterized by a very high strength, which allows them to withstand the weight of the web and a significant amount of clean openings and closings. Such models determine the strength of the fastening of the canvas to the box, since they are entrusted with the function of protecting the shutters from illegal removal from the hinges by intruders - they become an obstacle to entering someone else's residential building. Traditionally, hidden (hidden) hinges are used for entrance doors.
2. Fittings for interior openings - these models are characterized by greater lightness and less strength than products for entrance openings.
3. Highlight right or left loops - the choice in this case directly depends on which direction the door will swing open. If the handle is located on the right side, then the door opens with the left hand towards itself - this design requires left hinges. Conversely, if the handle is attached to the right, and the door is opened with the right hand, then right hinges are needed.

But you should be careful if you purchase a product from European manufacturers, in these countries it is customary to use a different classification - there technologists are guided not so much by the hand with which the canvas is opened, but by its direction of movement. In addition, the doors there, as a rule, swing open from themselves. Thus, if you push the canvas with your right hand and it remains on the corresponding side, then the door is considered to be left.

By the method of installation, universal and detachable door hinges are distinguished.

The former are more common, they are cheaper and easier to install, however, they are non-separable. From time to time in the house there are situations when it is required to remove the entire door. If you have it attached with collapsible right or left hinges, then you just need to open the door, lift the main sheet and remove the doors. But if you used universal products, then you will need to unscrew the self-tapping screws with which they are fixed.

According to the design option, many different hinge options are distinguished, and their final choice depends entirely on the characteristics of the door itself. For example, there are products that are optimal for wood models. Other options are more suitable for plastic, while others are more suitable for metal sheets and even glass. In addition, when buying loops, you should take into account their required number, weight and dimensions of the array itself.

Overhead hinges are considered more familiar to the domestic user, which are a strong rod and hinges fixed on it, as well as plates that help in installation. Most often, both parts of such a model have completely identical plates, however, in recent years the model has been improved - one side has become a little longer, which greatly simplified installation.

Butterfly hinges are a more modern version of hinges, in which one part is cut into the second, and when the door is closed, the plates do not interfere with each other in any way. In the closed state, a flattened straight surface is achieved in these products, while its thickness fully corresponds to the parameter of a single plate. The installation of such devices does not require special skills and professional tools, so that even a beginner can install these accessories.

The advantages of overhead loops include:

• ease of installation;
• low price;
• long service life;
• versatility.

However, there are also disadvantages:

• the need to unscrew if necessary to remove the canvas;
• the likelihood of a skew of the structure;
• suitability for fixing only for canvases with a low weight;
• requirements for a perfectly aligned surface of the leaf itself and the entire door frame.

Mortise hinge models are no less popular. Outwardly, in appearance, they are very similar to invoices, and the principle of the structure is similar - card. But the differences lie in the method of installation - these hinges cut into the end of the door, due to which a fairly smooth movement of the canvas itself and an aesthetic appearance are provided.

Screw-in fittings have quite serious differences in comparison with the first two models. Here the axis is made in the form of a cylinder and several pins are attached to it, it is on them that the hinges are attached to the door and frame, and only the hinge remains visible.

As a rule, when installing such hinges, decorative caps are used for masking, they are selected to match the main canvas and as a result they completely merge with the door.

Such loops are attached to massive canvases. If the door is too lightweight, then the screwed-in mechanisms destroy the wood and cause chips and a significant number of cracks.

The pros are obvious:

• ease of installation;
• the likelihood of regulation to the desired height;
• versatility.

The cons are also significant:

• such hinges can only be attached to a door and a quarter;
• if it is necessary to remove the door, dismantling of the fittings is required.

Corner plates have a special feature - they are made in the shape of corners.Such hinges are truly universal, in particular, they can be used for rebated doors. But of the minuses, it is worth noting the lack of the ability to somehow hide them, thus, the general appearance of the door may be spoiled.

Hidden hinges are in great demand, when the canvas is in the closed position - they are invisible. As a rule, they are mounted on the most expensive models of interior doors and mounted inside the canvas itself. Unlike all other models, such hinges are able to withstand heavy doors, but their installation is rather complicated and requires professional skills.

These hinges provide a fairly small swing angle, which can be difficult when moving large pieces of furniture. Under strong mechanical stress, the hinges are warped and even jammed. Well, one more drawback is the high cost, which is an order of magnitude higher than the prices for other hinge models.

Double-sided hinges have become widespread in public complexes, however, if desired, they can also be fixed in residential premises. They have a rather peculiar design that allows you to open the door both from yourself and to yourself.

But their cost is very high, so in houses such accessories are rarely used, and there is no point in it.

Bearing loops are quite effective - they help to evenly redistribute the mass of the entire blade. It is based on the principle of using plain or rolling bearings, such doors move very smoothly due to the reduced friction.

The disadvantages of fittings lie in an unattractive design, therefore, most often they are fixed in utility rooms and other unimportant rooms. In addition, if the product is of poor quality, then such hinges fail quite quickly.

Traditionally, door hinge heights range from 11 to 15 cm and width ranges from 2.7 cm to 3.5. The thickness of the device usually does not exceed 3 mm.

More constructively speaking, the standard hinge sizes can be:

• height: 11 cm, 13 cm, 15 cm;
• width: 2.7 cm, 3 cm, 3.5 cm;
• thickness: 2.5mm, 2.8mm, 3mm.

There are some nuances. So, hinges 11 cm high on each of their cards have 4 small screw holes, hinges 13 and 15 cm high, and wide hinges have 5 holes, which is important to increase the reliability of fastening the hinge in the doorway.

A rather limited list of materials is used to create door hinges.

• Brass - these hinges are made by forged casting and are in the greatest demand. Brass doors are characterized by increased strength and good ductility, they can withstand a large door weight.

• Steel - these are the strongest and most reliable elements that are distinguished by a long service life and durability. Iron products can withstand the most massive doors, so they are most often installed in entrance devices.

• Zinc and aluminum alloys Are inexpensive hinges, but they wear out very quickly.

In Soviet times, stainless steel hinges were most common, although at that time they did not look very aesthetically pleasing. Nowadays, products are covered with special anti-corrosion and decorative coatings, which makes them quite attractive, thanks to which the fashion for steel hinges is rapidly returning.

However, these days they are trying to make the rest of the hinges more aesthetic - they can be black, white, golden, and also imitate the color and texture of wood in brown shades.

That is why everyone can choose the best version of these devices for themselves, which will look the most aesthetically pleasing when the door is open.

Door hinges are considered one of the most important elements of the fittings, it is necessary that they correspond to their functional purpose, as well as optimally match the decor of the entire door installation.

When buying a door, there are several fundamental points to take into account:

• door leaf parameters: weight, width, as well as thickness and height;
• the material from which the door is made;
• door style;
• the way of fixing the loops - right or left;
• door functionality - entrance or interior;
• frequency of use - it can be low, high and medium;
• features of the design of the end of the canvas - it can be smooth and folded;
• technical features of fixing the selected hinge model, characteristic features of the leaf - a book door, as well as a folding door, traditional.

The number of loops is calculated based on the calculated value according to the following principle:

• two levels of fixation for canvases not exceeding 25 kg;
• for structures weighing 25–60 kg, three levels of door hinges are required;
• sashes up to 80 kg require the use of four levels of hinge fixation at an equal distance.

Experts recommend giving preference to the following manufacturers.

• Palladium Is a brand specializing in the production of high-precision hardware that guarantees comfortable and high-quality door opening and closing. As a rule, this manufacturer produces hinges from brass and steel, while the surface is varnished in different shades in two layers.
• Apex - furniture for interior doors is produced under this brand. The basic kit includes both the hinges themselves and the self-tapping screws required for their fastening. Products are made of stainless steel and coated with a decorative compound that simultaneously performs protective functions.
• Dr. Hahn - this company sells very attractive white door hinges, which are distinguished by a number of important operational features:

1. the ability to adjust in horizontal and vertical planes;
2. the ability to withstand a load of up to 140 kg;
3. versatility of use.

The features of fastening the hinges largely depend on the main material from which the canvas is made.

Replacement of hinges in plastic models takes place in several steps.

1. First you need to remove the decorative protective strip.
2. Then the door itself should be removed - it is first opened slightly, and then the completely protruding fragment of the cylinder is recessed with a bump stop and removed with pliers. Then the canvas is slightly bent towards itself, lifted up and to the sides, after which the door can be easily removed.
3. Using a hex key, the loops themselves are removed by unscrewing.
4. In place of the damaged hardware, a new one is fastened; it is optimal to choose products from the same manufacturer so that the fastening holes completely coincide.
5. After all the hinges are screwed on, you need to put the door in its old place - for this purpose, all the work described above is repeated in reverse order.

Mortise loops are usually installed on wooden canvases; for this, they first mark all the seats - usually they are placed 20-30 cm from the upper and lower edges. It is important that there are no chips and knots in this area, if any, it is better to shift the loops a little.

After that, it is necessary to cut a recess for the hinge, while its depth must fully correspond to the thickness of the plate, and the loop is attached to it. Metal doors involve the use of welding when installing hinges.

In the following video, you will learn how to choose door hinges and how they differ.