Last Updated on May 15, 2023 by Pro Handyman Editorial Team
Unveiling the Art of Selecting The Perfect Cabinet Hinges
Though small, cabinet hinges play a substantial role in your cabinets’ overall appearance and functionality. They’re as significant as the wood or finish you choose. However, with many options available, deciding on the perfect hinges for your cabinet project can be challenging. This comprehensive guide will illuminate the process, equipping you with the necessary information to make the best choice.
Understanding Cabinets and Their Hinges
The initial step in choosing the right hinge for your project is understanding your cabinets and doors, as hinges are typically categorized based on these aspects.
Building from Scratch
If you’re starting a new project, you can select the hinges you prefer. However, remember to make this decision before you commence building. The choice of hardware should be an integral part of the initial design stage, as it’s easier to adjust the design to fit the hardware rather than reworking a project in progress.
Replacing Existing Hinges
When replacing existing hinges, attempt to identify the manufacturer—often, their name is stamped on the hinge. If it’s not, navigate the buying process as if you’re purchasing a new hinge, which should guide you to the ideal replacement. Don’t forget that you can upgrade replacement hinges with identical functionality but with added features such as soft-closing mechanisms.
Size of Your Cabinet Doors
You must also consider the size of your cabinet doors. While you want to install only a few hinges on a door, you need enough to support the door over time. For more oversized cabinet doors, you may need more than the typical two-hinge configuration.
Cabinet Construction Types
To choose the right hinges, you need to understand the different types of cabinets. There are primarily two types:
Face Frame Cabinets
Face frame cabinets feature a frame, typically made from solid wood, attached to the front edges or face of the cabinet. Semi-concealed hinges mount to this face frame, making this the most common style in American cabinets.
Frameless Cabinets
Frameless cabinets are boxes with an open front. The exposed front edges of the plywood, MDF, or particleboard panels are covered with edge banding. In this style, hinges are mounted to the cabinet interior, making them Euro-style cabinets.
Cabinet Door Overlay Options
To determine the correct type of hinges, you might need to measure the overlay of your cabinet door—the distance the cabinet door overlaps the opening on the side where the hinges are placed. There are different types of cabinet door overlay options: Overlay, Half Overlay, Full Inset, and 3/8″ Inset.
Overlay Door
Overlay doors overlap the cabinet sides or face frame and extend past the cabinet opening by a specified dimension. The overlay dimension is listed for each hinge and refers to the amount that the door overlays the cabinet opening.
Full Inset Door
Full-inset doors, often called “inset doors,” fit entirely within the cabinet opening and sit flush with the face of the cabinet sides or face frames when in the closed position.
3/8” Inset
3/8″ inset doors, often called “lipped” doors, have a rabbet around the edge and sit halfway inside the cabinet. These doors are typically installed in face frame cabinets.
Door Swing Options
The degree to which a hinge opens a door is called the degree of opening. For example, some cabinet hinges permit the door to extend just beyond 90°, but others offer a much greater space.
Hinge Closing Options
There are various hinge closing options available, each with its own benefits.
Soft-Close Hinge
Soft-close hinges ensure your cabinet door closes smoothly and silently, irrespective of the force with which it is closed. Integrated into the hinge cup, there’s no need for additional hardware on the hinge or mounting plate.
Snap-Closing Hinge
Snap-closing hinges, sometimes called “self-closing,” feature a design element, often a spring, that pulls the door in and keeps it shut once it is within a few inches of closing.
Free-Swing Hinge
Free-swing hinges allow the hinge to move freely from open to closed. There is no closing assist or catch feature to keep the door shut. They’re often used with self-closing hinges when the self-closing force would otherwise be too abrupt.
Common Types of Cabinet Hinges
Having covered the foundational knowledge, you can select the perfect cabinet hinges for your project. But first, let’s delve into some of the standard hinges available.
Butt Hinges and No-Mortise Hinges
Butt hinges, the epitome of traditional hinges, comprise two pivoting plates whose interlocking fingers form a barrel held together by a pin. One plate attaches to the door, the other to the cabinet. Butt hinges sometimes require a mortise in the door and the cabinet to prevent excessive gaps. No-mortise hinges, a style of butt hinge, minimize the gap between the edge of the door and the wardrobe by folding within themselves when closed, which allows them to be surface mounted.
European Hinges
European hinges, a popular type of concealed hinge, are especially popular on frameless Euro-style cabinets but are also available for face-frame applications. One of the main benefits of Euro-style hinges is that they offer adjustment in two and sometimes three directions, making it easy to fine-tune the door’s alignment.
Semi-Concealed Hinge
A semi-concealed hinge is partly visible from the outside of the cabinet when the door is closed. It may incorporate decorative details such as a ball tip or finial tip.
You should refer to a hinge glossary to aid your decision. This will include all the essential terms related to hinges and hinge installation.
Comprehensive Guide to Cabinet Door Hinge Replacement
When cabinet doors refuse to close, or hinges sustain damage, your kitchen or bathroom’s functionality suffers. This guide will walk you through an in-depth procedure for cabinet door hinge replacement, ensuring your cabinets are in peak condition.
Identifying Cabinet Door Hinge Issues
When your cabinet door is not closing properly, the culprit may be a damaged or misaligned hinge. Often, this issue can be rectified by simply tightening the hinge screws. However, if your hinge is damaged or overly worn, it must be replaced.
- Preliminary Troubleshooting
Before replacing the hinge, could you take a moment to examine it closely? Sometimes, a quick tightening of the screws can resolve the issue. However, a hinge replacement will be necessary if this does not solve the problem.
Cabinet Door Hinge Replacement
If a hinge replacement is required, follow the steps for Cabinet door and hinge Replacement. Someone assisting you during this process will make it easier and safer.
Before you start, ensure you have the necessary tools on hand. These include:
- Screwdriver or power drill
- New hinges and screws (matching the size and type of the current ones)
- Level for checking alignment
- Detach the Cabinet Door
Begin by unscrewing the cabinet door from the existing hinges. Keep the screws and hinges safe if you plan to reuse them.
- Remove the Old Hinge
After you’ve detached the cabinet door, it’s time to remove the old hinge. Unscrew it from the cabinet frame and set it aside.
- Attach the New Hinge
Now, attach the new hinge to the cabinet frame. First, ensure the hinge’s orientation matches the one you removed. Next, use your screwdriver or power drill to secure the hinge to the edge.
- Reattach the Cabinet Door
Next, align the cabinet door with the new hinge and screw it in place. Use your level to ensure the door is properly aligned. If it is not, adjust as necessary until the door is level.
- Test the Door
Finally, test your cabinet door to ensure it opens and closes smoothly. Make any final adjustments to the hinge screws for a perfect fit if necessary.
Conclusion
A well-maintained cabinet door hinge is essential for the functionality and longevity of your cabinets. With this comprehensive guide to cabinet door hinge replacement, your cabinets should be back in shape quickly. Remember, keeping your hinges in good condition improves usability and enhances the aesthetic appeal of your cabinetry.