What door hinge do I need?
Shopping for door hinges and don't know where to start? Check out our handy guide to your options.
Door hinge starting to squeak or looking a bit on the rusty side? It's high time to get a replacement.
"Simple", you say to yourself. You'll just pop to the nearest DIY store or log into Amazon and get a duplicate. Soon, your door will be gliding open and shut with the grace of a figure skater.
Then you get to the store and are met with an array of shapes and sizes. There are butt hinges, barrel hinges, parliament hinges and blunderbuss hinges (OK, we made that last one up). There are different thicknesses to consider. There are different hinges for different door materials.
What to do? Well, before you decide that you can probably do without doors altogether, take a look at our guide to the wonderful world of hinges.
How do you choose a door hinge?
Before you take a hinge to the counter, you need to take three things into account.
First, what kind of door is it for? Some types of hinges work with both internal and external doors. Others, however, are for internal or external doors only.
Secondly, you need to know what your door is made of. Wood or composite doors will usually take screw-type hinges. Metal doors, by contrast, will need weld-on hinges.
Finally, you need to think about the door's weight. Heavy doors call for heavy-duty hinges. Brass just isn't going to cut it.
Types of door hinges
Picture a door hinge, and you're probably thinking of a butt hinge. This two-sided hinge is ideal for lightweight doors, both internal and external. They're not suitable for fire doors or heavy doors.
A more heavy-duty variety of the butt hinge is the ball bearing hinge. These tend to last longer and aren't so prone to squeaking. However, they also tend to require more maintenance.
2. Spring hinges (self-closing hinges)
Spring hinges, also known as self-closing hinges, close the door behind you by pulling the door into the frame with a spring. These are often used on external doors and internal glass doors.
3. Flush hinges
A flush hinge is a small, lightweight hinge. One side – or "leaf" – fits into the other, resulting in a flush finish. This makes them ideal for cupboards, cabinets and lightweight doors.
They're extremely easy to install. Unlike butt hinges, there's no need to cut a recess into the door. Instead, they're simply screwed into place.
4. Parliament hinges
Parliament hinges come under different names, including projection hinges and wide-throw hinges. This last term tells you all you need to know. This type of hinge throws the door wide, projecting it away from the frame until it swings flat against the wall.
As well as working wonders for outward-opening French doors, parliament hinges can make doorframes accessible for people in wheelchairs.
5. Stop hinges
The purpose of a stop hinge is to prevent the door from opening too wide and hitting the wall. There are several different versions of stop hinges, but they all achieve the same thing.
Size matters
Now you know what style of door hinge your door will take, you need to figure out the size you need.
The size of your door hinges will depend on how big and heavy your door is. Find out the size you need by unscrewing the middle hinge and measuring the height and width with a measuring tape. If the hinge isn't square, you need to measure the corner radius instead.
The size and weight of your door will also determine how many hinges you need. Most doors need three. However, some smaller, lighter doors can be fitted with just two. Bigger, heavier doors will need four.
If the door is fire-rated, you need to fit three four-inch fire-certified hinges.
Most of the time, the top hinge will be screwed five inches from the top of the door and 10 inches from the bottom, with a third hinge halfway between where appropriate.
How can I stop my door hinges from squeaking?
If your home is plagued by squeaking door hinges, you've got options. Here are five of them.
- Lubricate the hinges with silicone spray, petroleum jelly or a bar of soap.
- Remove the hinge and clean off any dirt, rust or grime with a solution like WD-40 until they're un-squeaky clean.
- Tighten the screws until the squeak stops.
- Apply olive oil to the hinges using a pipette or spray can.
- Spray extra-strong hairspray directly onto the hinges.
If none of these methods work, it's time to buy a new hinge.
Unlike door installation, replacing a screw-on hinge can be done DIY with relative ease. You just need a method to follow, doorstops to keep the door steady as you replace the hinges, a tape measure and a screwdriver or drill.
If the door itself needs replacing, you will almost certainly need a professional
door fitting service (leaving aside any DIY kings and queens!)
How long have hinges been around?
Hinges have been unearthed from as long ago as Ancient Egypt. Different specimens are made from stone, marble, wood and bronze.
The Romans hung their door on pivot hinges. Known as "cardo", these gave their name to Cardea, the ancient Roman goddess of the hinge.
Of course, not all doors have hinges – think of roller shutters or sliding doors. Nevertheless, a world without hinges is hard to imagine. They're one of those little things that make all the difference.
If you need to replace more than just a hinge, we can help. At Calder Windows, we've been installing and replacing windows and doors in West Yorkshire for more than three decades.
So, whatever your requirements, don't hesitate to
request a free quote today. We'd love to help you make your dream home that little bit dreamier.
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