Whilst some doors come with hinges for you to install, others will require you to supply your own. This may prove a challenge for first-time DIYers, with the market for door hinges growing by the year, with more and more different styles, designs and makes becoming available. More choice is always a good thing unless you don’t know where to start. 

This guide has been put together to help streamline your shopping. We’ll be looking at the different hinges available, the materials they can be made from, and the doors that they’re designed for. We’ll also be dipping into installation and maintenance, to help you ensure your new hinges last as long as possible.

Size

This is one of the most important aspects of choosing your hinges, as they can vary a lot not only in width and length but also depth, which may make them incompatible with your chosen door or doorway. Hinge sizes will also differ between styles, with overlay hinges for example requiring more room to operate properly than butt hinges. Size will also affect the weight of the hinge, which should be noted especially when applying them to internal doors, which tend to bear less weight than external or fire doors.

Shape

Hinge style will directly influence both size and weight of the hinge, as mentioned above. There are several different styles, the most common of which we will cover later in the guide. 

Certain hinge styles will be better suited to exterior doors than interior and vice versa. Be sure to read up on compatibility when purchasing both doors and hinges. There is also the matter of aesthetics when it comes to hinge style. Some makes are very artful and sophisticated, while others are simpler, with more basic designs.

Internal or External?

Some hinges have been specifically designed for external or internal use. They will be made from certain materials and exhibit specific qualities in order to better function in these environments.

Other hinge models will be universal, functioning just as well inside as they do outside. However, knowing which hinges are suitable for certain circumstances is vital, as some will be unsuited to environments that require more specialised designs.

Door Compatibility

Some hinges will be made to suit only a specific type of door. You are unlikely to accidentally come across these hinges, particularly because they’re usually only supplied either with the door they’re designed for, or with special installation kits again specifically sold as compatible only with a certain door model. To avoid accidentally investing in these hinges when you don’t need to use them, keep an eye on product descriptions and requirements whether shopping online or in-store.

There are a few different types of hinges, but one of the first hurdles you need to clear is differentiating hinges for doors from hinges for products like cabinets, desks, and cupboards. The vast majority of these won’t be designed to handle the weight of a full-sized internal or external door, let alone a (much heavier) fire or metal door. 

These less capable hinges will be easily identified by looking at product descriptions and compatibility, as well as researching the manufacturers they have been produced by. Once you know for sure you’re looking at door-compatible hinges, you can start to pick out your ideal choices from the common types below.

Butt Hinge

The most common and recognisable type of door hinge, the butt hinge is compatible with most doors. However, the style is versatile and thus can be produced using an array of materials. As such, it is important to keep an eye on the compatibility of the specific butt hinge you are looking at purchasing. There are two common sub-types of butt hinge to accompany the standard model – the ball-bearing butt hinge and the spring-loaded butt hinge. A third, less common model – the rising butt hinge – can also be found for doors that need to clear carpet and other floor coverings.

Concealed Hinge

Designed to provide an efficient opening and closing motion while remaining concealed, these hinges can be found on certain modern internal doors. They can be used beyond just doors, however, so checking compatibility and size is important.

Strap Hinge

Identifiable thanks to their longer, more slender design that looks like a pair of narrow triangles. They are bulky and thus aren’t suited to more ornate doors, but are practical, lightweight, and thanks to their compact design can be used on projects where space is a limited resource.

Heavy Duty Hinge

Usually modelled in a similar way to butt hinges, these hinges have been specifically produced for heavier doors, such as those made from metal or solid wood. Many fire door manufacturers produce these hinges to coincide with these much heavier, more demanding doors.

Stainless Steel

One of the most common materials that hinges tend to be made of. Stainless steel consists of an iron alloy that is made from minor amounts of carbon, which is what sets it apart from other types of steel. While the hinges are protected from corrosion and rust, they remain relatively inexpensive. You’re likely to find steel hinges for both external and internal doors.

Aluminium

Aluminium hinges are made of pure aluminium metal, and this gives the hinge increased protection against corrosion. Aluminium is highly versatile, with resistance to moist, damp conditions as well as universal wear. They are lightweight, inexpensive, and usually easy to install.

Brass

Brass is often the choice of those looking for flair, particularly if they have used matching knobs or handles on their door. Brass hinges are strong and long-lasting, although they can sometimes suffer from stress-related cracking. It is important then, to check that your brass hinges are compatible with external use.

Bronze

One of the more expensive hinge materials, bronze is nevertheless coveted thanks to its eye-catching and sophisticated appearance, which makes it a popular choice on external doors as well as larger, grandiose designs. Despite its heavier weight and higher price, bronze is a fantastic material for hinges thanks to outstanding levels of durability and longevity.

Hinge installation can vary slightly, but typically involves the same steps: A space for the hinge is carved in both the door and the frame. The hinges are then inserted and screwed in securely. The hinges must always be horizontally and vertically plumb, with the correct amount of spacing.

This spacing can vary depending on hinge size, style, and materials. Most manufacturers will state the requirements and compatibilities of their hinges either online or supplied with the product. However, a rule of thumb for most standard (usually stainless) hinges is that they should be placed 7 inches from the top of the door frame and 11 inches from the bottom. Mark this out on the door frame and then align the door and mark it out there too. 

If your door requires a third hinge (this may well prove the case if it is a fire or external door) then be sure to place it between the two hinges. This should, in theory, result in the hinge being slight off-centre on the door itself, which is best practice.

Hinge maintenance can vary between materials with brass and bronze hinges benefitting more from polishing, for example, than stainless steel. Also, take care to keep an eye on the fixings of your hinges. Over time, they may become worn and loose. Re-screwing or even replacing the fixings altogether may be necessary if enough wear occurs. 

Finally, it is a good idea to keep an eye on how well your door swings on its hinges. This is a balancing act – if the hinges are too tight, the door will be difficult to move, but if they’re too loose then the door could potentially be damaged if it is allowed to slam into the door frame repeatedly. Loosening or lubricating the hinges if too tight or tightening them if too loose will help to counter these issues.

With all this is mind, you may now feel ready to start looking at hinges yourself. We stock a vast selection of hinge types and models to suit most home renovations. Our hinges vary by appearance, style, aesthetic, and physical traits and capabilities, so be sure to use your newfound knowledge when choosing the right set of hinges for your door.

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