What are the Three Types of Door Hinges?

Door hinges are crucial door hardware that attaches doors to their frames. They allow the doors to open and close. In this article, you’ll learn about three main types of door hinges and their uses. 

Three Common Types of Door Hinges

Many people think that all the hinges look the same. But that is not the case. There are many different types of hinges for doors. Let’s learn about three types of door hinges that are mostly used. 

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1. Butt Hinges

Butt hinges are the common types of hinges for doors. They feature two plates attached by a pin. The pin joins the two tables at the hinge’s knuckles. There are three types of butt hinges. These are:

I. Plain Bearing - These interior door hinges have no bearing space between the hinges’ knuckles. They are used for lightweight doors.

II. Ball Bearing - These are ideal heavy-duty door hinges. There are lubricated bearings between the hinge’s knuckles. It helps reduce friction caused by heavy-duty doors. 

III. Spring-loaded - They are typical butt hinges with a spring attached to the pin. The spring allows the door to close behind you automatically. 

Parliament door hinges, and projection hinges are also two other types of butt hinges. Projection door hinges can be used to open around an obstacle or architrave. Parliament door hinges are used for the same purpose, but the height of the knuckle joint is less than that of projection hinges. So they look more appealing.

2. Swing Door Hinges

Swing door hinges allow you to swing open the doors. There are three types of swinging door hinges. Here are the details. 

I. Off-set - These types of door hinges allow you to open the door away from the doorframe. So, you can open the door wide up to 2 inches. They are useful for people with disabilities, especially those who use wheelchairs. So, these hinges can be used for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant areas. 

II. Gate Hinges - These are heavy-duty door hinges. They feature L-shaped pins that are used to insert and rotate in a barrel. So, you can swing the door open and close. These types of door hinges are useful for barn gates, fences, metal gates, and exterior doors. 

III. Cranked Hinges - These are similar to off-set hinges. They feature double or single-cranked leaves or plates. These are useful for small doors, windows, and gates needing more open space.

3. Piano Hinges

These types of door hinges are also known as continuous hinges. They are bigger and narrower versions of butt hinges. They feature long, narrow plates or leaves. These leaves cover the full length of the door. Thus, they offer better support and strength.

These are also heavy-duty door hinges. These interior door hinges are mostly used for desk doors, cabinets, and various types of doors. 

Other Types of Door Hinges

1. Concealed Hinges

These are invisible hinges that are self-closing. They can’t be seen on the doors in a closed position. So no one can tamper with them. So, people use larger concealed door hinges for better security. 

2. Strap Hinges

These are one type of heavy-duty door hinges. These types of door hinges are available in brass or stainless steel. They can also be used for ornamental purposes. Strap hinges with long hinge leaves are used for heavy doors and gates.

3. Barrel Hinges

These types of door hinges can’t bear the load. They are compact and concealed. They are ideal for lightweight doors, cabinet doors, and small boxes. 

4. Overlay Hinges

The design of overlay hinges differs from other types of hinges. These are ideal for doors that lie on top of the cabinet when closed. The hinge folds back on itself. These are ideal for cabinet doors. 

5. Double-action Spring Hinges

These spring-loaded hinges allow doors to open in one direction. The door comes back to the closed position automatically. These hinges are useful for dining room doors.

Final Thought

Different types of door hinges have different uses. Choosing the right types of door hinges depends on a few factors. These are their applications, the door types, and the hinge’s finish. 

Residence Supply offers a variety of door hinges in different styles. Explore our collection and get a better idea about different types of interior door hinges.