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Choosing the right type of hinges according to your needs can be a daunting task, especially if you do not know all the different types of hinges available in the market. Whether it is cabinet hinges, door hinges, kitchen cabinet hinges or self closing door hinges, this comprehensive guide will take you through the pros and cons, efficient features and special characteristics of each hinge type. The style of each hinge is varied, which is why making the right choice will directly impact the feel, environment and function of your home. Depending on the situation of interior or exterior doors in your house, this handy guide will provide you with the proper tools to identify your hinge needs and help you in making your final decision.
Different Types of Hinges Available in the Market
The first question that comes to our mind when we aim to install hinges at our house is, what are the different types of hinges? Not every hinge will be right for all your applications, which is why it is imperative to understand your choices in today’s market. In order to help you determine the type of hinge you need, we have made a list of all the common hinges and their proficient uses below.
1- Exterior Door Hinges
Doors can be classified into exterior doors and interior doors, both of which provide different environments for hinges. Exterior doors are manufactured with metal and they are engineered to be adaptable of the changing weather conditions and withstand environmental hazards, thus exterior door hinges must be suitable for withstanding such external conditions. Not only should they have the ability to resist extreme conditions, they should also be strong enough to hold heavier metal doors. Exterior door hinges also have features such as rust-resistant and corrosion-free properties and they are constructed with stainless steel, which is a more affordable and durable option than other materials.
2- Interior Door Hinges
Interior doors are less thick in terms of size in comparison to exterior doors and are majorly constructed with the material of wood. Though every room has a specified purpose, interior door hinges are used mostly for privacy-protected functions in households due to the lack of soundproofed rooms. In terms of materials, they are available in a wide variety of options including copper and iron. They offer smoother opening and closing than exterior door hinges and can be installed in bathroom doors, closet doors, basement doors and bedroom doors.
3- Offset Hinges
These types of hinges are generally used for hospital doors or warehouse doors due to their elevated design and special features for exterior purposes. Not only do they add extended clearance to doorways, but they also provide access to the whole width of the doorway. They are popularly known as swing-clear hinges. Offset hinges are crucial for doors with large openings and are designed to move the hinge pin away from the doorjamb, setting back a few inches from the doorway as a result. They are most commonly known for this special feature and are considered one of the most adjustable options in the market due to the essential characteristics.
4- Butt Hinges
Butt hinges are one of the most common hinges in the world and are also known as mortise hinges. They come with two identical leaves and can be constructed in many different materials. Butt hinges work like many other hinges but they are installed with threaded fasteners. While one leaf of the butt hinge is connected to the object, the other leaf is fixed to a door. This allows them to rotate smoothly and ensures the rotation for an extended time between two objects.
5- Concealed Hinges
Concealed hinges lay flush on the interior doors in order to provide an aesthetic appearance of the doors or cabinets. They are also popularly known as European hinges and they come with a wide selection that offer unique features such as different pin sizes, lengths, designs, soft-close, and adjustable arms. They are constructed with a variety of metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and zinc. Concealed hinges are engineered with the strength to withstand different kinds of weights for many different industrial applications and the specifications of each door type.
Final Word
Though environmental factors play a huge role in choosing the right hinge for your portals, finding the right material is also a contributing factor to its prolonged durability and functionality. The construction of the hinges can determine its qualities, features, properties and strength. For example, anti-rust properties can only be found in metal hinges that are made of stainless steel.
If you are looking to install black door hinges in an outdoor setting, corrosion-free and rust-resistant should be on the top of your checklist. Therefore, hinges are made with many different materials and each material is designed for a specific function. If you are looking for an aesthetic design, brass can be the right choice for you while steel provides more strength and reliability than other materials. Before you make your choice, be sure to specify your needs and choose the type of hinge that your house applications require.
