Jun. 05, 2025
Hinges are commonly used to connect doors to frames. Typically consisting of two leafs and a pin-secured knuckle, they allow for a limited angle of rotation. You can connect a door to the surrounding frame with a set of hinges. You can then swing the door open and push it shut. If you’re planning to use them on a door, though, you’ll need to choose the right hinges.
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While most door hinges are made of stainless steel or brass, you can find them in different finishes. Some of them feature a black paint finish. Other door hinges feature a yellow zinc, white primed or stain chrome finish. There are over a dozen finishes from which you can choose, each of which offers a unique appearance that distinguishes it from the rest.
Spring hinges have become a popular alternative to standard hinges in recent years. They still consist of two leafs and a knuckle. Spring hinges simply have a built-in spring. This eliminates the need for pushing doors shut. You’ll still have to open doors, but spring hinges will force them to close automatically.
Door hinges are available in different sizes. Common sizes for residential door things include 3×3, 3.5×3.5 and 4×4. Commercial door hinges are also available in these same sizes, but you can find them in other, bigger size as well.
In addition to the size, you should consider the shape when choosing door hinges. Some door hinges are rectangular, whereas others are oval. Most door hinges use the same method of operation, regardless of their shape. But the shape of a door hinge will still affect the way in which it’s installed. You’ll have to cut out a shallow section of the wooden surface on the door and frame to install a hinge. The shape of these cutouts must match the shape of the hinge.
How many hinges are you looking to buy? Most residential doors require at least two hinges. You can use standard hinges or spring hinges. As long as it’s a residential door, two hinges will suffice. Commercial doors, though, may require more hinges. Commerial doors are typically bigger and heavier than residential doors. As a result, they may require more hinges. Rather than two hinges, you may need to use three hinges when connecting a commercial door to a frame.
You might not give much thought to the door hinges in your home until it comes time to replace them. To help you make the right choices, in this article we will share our complete guide to choosing the right door hinges for your home.
Door hinges are the hardware used to affix your door to your door jamb, allowing it to open and close. They are an essential part of your door installation and come in a number of sizes, types, and designs to suit your needs.
Because they are so varied, it’s important to choose the right type of door hinge for your door type to ensure they stand up to the weight and provide years of smooth operation.
There are several signs that tell you it’s time to replace your door hinges, including the following:
There really isn’t a recommended replacement time for door hinges. Instead, you really only need to replace your door hinges based on the above issues, or when replacing your door handles with a different colour finish.
Interior doors come in many different sizes and styles that impact the weight of the door. Hollow doors are far more lightweight than solid doors and require a heavier-duty style of hinge. The same goes for the door size. A larger hollow door, for example, might require the same heavy-duty hinges as a small solid door.
As well, while the standard size for an interior door hinge is 3 inches, solid doors or doors with heavy glass inserts require a taller hinge of about 4.5 inches to help manage the weight. You can also consider adding a third middle hinge for heavier doors instead of just a top and bottom hinge.
When replacing a door or door hinges, measure your existing door hinge size based on its height, width, and radius. The radius refers to the curved CORNER of the hinge. Curved hinges come in either a ¼-inch or ⅝-inch radius.
Not all door hinges have a curved corner, so if your hinge is squared off, then you don’t have to worry about this measurement. The easiest way to measure the radius is to consider if the curve is closer to the size of a dime or a nickel.
You’ll find that most standard interior door hinges are about 3 inches, but this can vary depending on the age of your home, the weight and size of the door, and the workmanship of the door installation.
There are many DIYers who have installed the incorrect door hinges, leading to issues with door jamb damage and operation. If the door hinge is smaller than 3 inches, we highly recommend replacing the hinges with a standard 3-inch hinge to be safe!
Follow these steps to get accurate measurements:
We always recommend taking your existing hinge to the hardware store to make sure you find the right match.
When installing a new door, the most important measurement is the door thickness. The average interior door purchased at your local home improvement store is hollow and 1⅜ inches.
They typically won’t be much wider than about 30 to 32 inches for most rooms. In this case, you require a 3-inch door hinge. A door that is thicker, wider, or heavier, such as a solid or glass door, will require a larger hinge based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
There are basically two main categories of door hinges: interior and exterior. This is the first thing to look for when choosing your door hinges, as exterior hinges are much larger at an average of 4 inches and have a heavier duty than what is needed for interior doors. Also, as mentioned, a standard interior door is 1⅜ inches thick while an exterior door is 1¾ inches thick, which means an exterior hinge will be too deep.
It can be confusing knowing whether you need a radius or square door hinge when installing a new door. There really isn’t a difference between the two other than that it is easier to create a square inset when installing the door than it is to match the hinge radius!
If you’re replacing the door, choose the hinges that will fit in the existing door jamb to make life easier, unless the door you’re installing is heavier and requires a taller size hinge.
Butterfly door hinges have an insert in the metal strap that resembles a butterfly wing, hence the name. They are designed to provide a wider door opening than a standard door hinge.
They are most commonly used on closet doors or doors that open outwards, providing enough room to open the door fully and out of the way for easier access.
Today, door hinges are available in different finishes including edgy, modern black. Black hinges are also suitable for the modern farmhouse look, creating a bold accent against white doors.
Although hinges are not too noticeable, choosing the right finish can add a more polished, intentional look to your doors. For example, you can match the hinges on doors leading off your kitchen are, a such as a mudroom, pantry, or laundry room to your kitchen cabinet handles.
By choosing the right door hinges for your doors, you’ll ensure they operate properly, last longer, and provide a more pleasing look to your home.
Thanks for reading! As you consider your next move, keep in mind the insights shared here aboutYour 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.
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.
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.
Door hinges and cabinet hinges work in much the same way, but cabinet hinges perform their task on a much smaller scale.
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.
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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 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 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.
There are four main types of door hinge installations:
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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