Hinges for Doors
Door hinges are tools used to suspend doors and allow for their opening
and closing. Because there are so many kinds of doors, and because they
are used in so many contexts, a great diversity of hinge configurations
is necessary to accommodate them. Hinges are used to suspend doors on
cabinets, gates, utility access hatches and many other kinds of doors.
Door hinges can be selected for looks, convenience,
durability, and application. They are used on doors, cabinets, gates, trunks,
storage boxes and can be found in use on many other applications. Materials
such as steel, brass, bronze and stainless steel are common for the makeup of
door hinges. A wide range of thicknesses and durability are also available as
some door hinges will need to be more heavy duty than others because of the varying
weights of different kinds of doors. Decorative hinges are also made to add
detail and flare to doors, gates, trunks and cabinets. There are many different
types of door hinges including spring hinges, double acting hinges, pivot
hinges, butt hinges, Baldwin hinges, wide
throw hinges, swing clear hinges and many more. Depending on the application,
there is sure to be a door hinge that will work best no matter the size, shape,
or weight of the door.
The most common type of door hinge is the butt hinge because
of its design. Butt hinges contain two leaves that are attached to two
adjoining surfaces, in this case, the door and the door frame. Each leaf has
bent edges that create knuckles so that the two leaves can come together and be
secured by a pin. Interior doors in homes almost always use this type of hinge.
The design allows for the door to be taken off of the frame by simply pulling
the pin out releasing the two leaves from being attached from one another. This
way the hinge hardware itself does not need to be unscrewed from the door or
door frame to remove the door. Homeowners often need to take doors down when
moving large furniture or remodeling a room within the home and this hinge
allows for making door removal and attachment a simple task.
Door Hinges
Each door variety requires hinges with specific load capacities, compositions and configurations. Cabinet hinges, for example, are required to meet certain standards of functionality as well as visual appeal. Gate hinges, particularly those affixed on gates used in private homes, must also strike a balance between utility and aesthetics. Also, depending on the application, different hinge configurations lend themselves to different purposes. Spring hinges, for example, help close doors automatically and keep them closed. This can contribute to improved security and even climate control in a building. Weld on hinges are used in heavier-duty applications in which hinges are used to suspend heavy doors. Strap hinges feature long metal plates that extend across most of the width of a door, often for decorative purposes.
Important considerations when choosing a door hinge are the strength of the hinge, its visual appearance and its handedness (the direction it swings). Door hinges may be left-handed or right-handed, or they may work both ways. The most common type of door hinge is called a butt hinge. These basic hinges are composed of two machined plates joined by a pin. Generally, two butt or three butt hinges are used per door. One type of flush hinge is the tee hinge, a hinge installed on the surface of the door that is shaped like the letter T. Tee hinges are available in plain and heavy-duty versions as well as decorative varieties. Another type of door hinge is called a butterfly hinge. These are also placed on the surface of a door. Butterfly hinges are available in a number of decorative styles and finishes. The continuous hinge, also called a piano hinge, is more commonly used for pianos and toolboxes, but they can also be used for doors. Strap hinges are among the most ornate door hinge options; they extend over the entire width of a door and can be embellished with flourishes and other decorative designs.
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Door Hinges - S & D Products, Inc. |
Door Hinges - S & D Products, Inc. |