Introduction
Hinges are an essential part of the door hardware or lid that allows
the opening and closing of doors. Hinge comprises of two metal plates
that are attached together with a removable pin. The metal plates are
fixed to the door and door jamb with screws. Hinges are designed to hold
the door securely to the door jamb and allow it to swing open and
closed.
Hinges are available in various designs and styles to complement the
door furniture. Available in variety of options and finishes, hinges can
be installed both on the interior as well as exterior doors. Hinges are
either surface mounted or recesses (mounted). They can be either
right-handed or left-handed.
Materials Used
A
wide variety of metals and metal alloys are used for casting hinges.
Some of the commonly used materials are:
- Brass
- Stainless Steel
- Cast Iron
- Aluminum
Finishes
In order to enhance their look and prevent them from tarnishing, hinges
are given various finishes. To name a few, polished brass finish, satin
chrome finish, antique nickel finish, oil rubbed bronze finish are some
of the finishes available in door hinges.
Door hinges are available in various sizes and shapes. They can have
either round corner or square corners.
Types of Hinges
Door Hinges are basically of the following types:
Door Hinges Buying Tips
The hinge size should be the main consideration while buying
hinges. The size of the hinges depend upon the following parameters:
- Door Height
- Door Weight
- Door Width
- Door Thickness
- Trim Dimension Required
Knowledge of the exact radius corner is also very important
while buying hinges for doors and windows.
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Installation Tips
While replacing an old door with a new one, the installation of hinges
is a key step in the process. Some of the common installation tips
include:
- Surface-mounted hinges are mounted on the surface of the pieces
being hinged. On the other hand, recessed hinges require the removal
of wood to allow the hinge to be mortised into the wood. Also there
are some hinges that are a combination of hinge types. In this case,
one leaf is surface-mounted while other is mortised or recessed.
- Apart from the type of hinge being used, accurate measurements
are also a must. This requires the careful measurement of all
dimensions.
- Clearance is yet another important step to be taken care of while
installing hinges. Proper clearance should be allowed between
surfaces, such as the door or lids and frames. These clearances
prevent dragging, binding or a sloppy fit.
- Using proper tools and techniques are also very important for
installing hinges on a door.
Related Resources
Introduction
