When it comes to fitting that new door or replacing an old one, many of us may overlook the importance of choosing and fitting the correct door hinge. From internal doors to external ones, deciding where to fit them can affect how well your door looks and its functionality.
Whether that’s for the aesthetic value of a sleek look in your home or ensuring it opens and closes properly, this blog post takes an in-depth look at where you should position hinges on both internal and external doors, including information about different types of hinges available and some tips and tricks to make sure everything goes smoothly.
So if you want to accessorise your interior design with picturesquely placed door hinges or get a better overall result – keep reading!
Understanding Door Hinges
Door hinges represent an often overlooked but essential device. They are integral to the function of doors – without them, they would be flat planes that don’t do anything. A thorough understanding of door hinges is essential for those who design and build doors regularly since it allows them to position the hinge to adequately support the weight and movement of a door over multiple open/close cycles.
Door hinges also play a role in determining which types of doors are best suited for specific situations, from gravity-operated pressure relief doors to fire-rated doors. Understanding door hinges is an invaluable skill that can improve the services provided by any builders or architects specialising in construction projects requiring movable walls or doors.
What are the Types of Door Hinges
Butt Hinges
Butt hinges are among the most popular door hinges—they’re also one of the simplest. These traditional hinges consist of two rectangular plates connected by a pin, allowing them to swing open easily and smoothly. Most commonly used on external doors due to their strength and durability, butt hinges can be found on almost any type of door, from residential homes to public buildings.
Pivot Hinges
Pivot hinges are made up of two parts that attach at either side of the door frame—a hinge pin is then inserted into the centre, allowing for smooth 360-degree rotation around the pin. Pivot hinges are typically used on wider doors, such as those in commercial buildings or industrial warehouses where more space is needed for movement. The added support provided by pivot hinges ensures that heavier doors stay firmly in place when opened and closed without compromising security or stability.
Spring Hinges
Unlike other types that use pins or screws to hold them in place, spring hinges use tension springs instead. As its name suggests, these door hinges rely on tension from internal springs to keep the door closed when not in use—when pressure is applied. However, the springs will release and allow for easy opening and closing. Spring hinges can be used on almost any interior door where additional security isn’t required; they’re often found in residential homes and commercial settings like offices and restaurants.
Where to Fit Hinges on Internal Doors
Internal doors come in all shapes and sizes, from sliding pocket doors to bi-folding doors. But when it comes to fitting hinges, the process is much the same regardless of the type or style.
Most internal doors will require at least two hinges for proper support—we recommend three if possible as this helps to spread out the weight more evenly.
When installing your hinges, it’s important to measure the distance from the top and bottom of the doorframe to ensure that the hinge is placed in exactly the same spot on both sides for a seamless look. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to place hinges 10 inches from the bottom of the door and 5 inches from the top. If you’re using three hinges, the third hinge should be installed in the middle between the other two.
How to Fit Hinges on Internal Doors
1. Gather Tools and Materials
The first step in any DIY project should always be to gather the necessary tools and materials before starting. For this job, you’ll need a screwdriver, a drill, screws, hinges, a pencil, a tape measure, and a level. Once you have everything ready to go, you can begin work on the door.
Mark Hinge Locations
Using your tape measure and level, mark where the hinge locations will be placed on both the door frame and the door itself. Ensure that these lines are straight and even so that the door will hang adequately when finished. Take your time here; small mistakes can lead to bigger problems later.
Attach Hinges To The Door Frame
Once you’ve marked out where each hinge will be placed, use your drill and screws to attach them to the frame first. Ensure each screw is securely fastened before moving on to the next step.
Attach Hinges To The Door
Now it’s time to attach the hinges to your door itself. Again using your drill and screws, attach each hinge firmly into place along the earlier marked lines (make sure they line up perfectly with their corresponding holes in the frame). You may need someone else for this part—holding up a heavy door while trying to drill holes isn’t easy.
Where to Fit Hinges on External Doors
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to place hinges 10 inches from the bottom of the external door and 5 inches from the top. However, it’s important to check the instructions for your specific door and hinges before attempting this.
External doors tend to be thicker than internal ones, so extra consideration needs to be taken when drilling holes in order to prevent any splitting or warping of the wood. We recommend using a sharp chisel and utility knife for precision, as well as
How to Fit Hinges on External Doors
- First, you’ll want to measure the width and height of your door frame. This will determine the size and type of hinge you need for the job.
- Once you have gathered your supplies, mark the top and bottom of the door frame where the hinges should be installed using a pencil or marker. Ensure these marks are level and accurate so that they will be properly aligned when you install the hinges.
- Now it’s time to start installing your hinges! Start by preparing your drill bit with a spade bit that matches the diameter of your hinge screws (usually 4mm). Carefully drill into each marked position at least 11mm deep for best results – this will ensure that the screws have enough room to sink into without poking out the other side of your door frame.
- Next, use a screwdriver or power drill (depending on which type of screws came with your hinges) to firmly attach each hinge. Use a spirit level to ensure they are even before tightening them if necessary.
- Once all four screws are in place, carefully open and close the door while checking for any movement or instability in the frame or hinge setup – if everything is secure, congratulations! You have successfully installed hinges onto an external door.
Maintenance Tips for Door Hinges
Lubrication
Lubricating your door hinges can help them to operate more smoothly and quietly. It is best to use a silicone-based lubricant, such as WD-40, on your door hinges as this will not attract dust and dirt as other lubricants may. You should apply the lubricant to the hinge’s pins, ensuring it spreads evenly over the surface. After applying the lubricant, wipe away any excess so it does not accumulate dirt or dust, which could cause squeaking.
Cleaning
Cleaning your door hinges regularly is also vital to prevent rusting or squeaking. To clean them, first, remove any build-up of dirt and grime using a damp cloth. Once this has been done, lightly apply some oil (such as mineral oil) onto a soft cloth and rub it into the hinges until shiny and free from dirt and debris. Finally, use a dry cloth to remove excess oil from the hinge pins before reattaching them to the door frame.
Tightening Screws
Loose screws can cause doors to become difficult or impossible to open or close properly, so you must check all screws periodically for tightness. If any screws are loose, use an appropriate screwdriver (Phillips head for Phillips screws; flathead for slotted screws) to tighten them up again – don’t over-tighten, though! You can replace old or worn-out screws with new ones of an appropriate size and type for your particular door hinge model.
EuroArt is one of the Dubai leading brands of high-quality internal and external doors – browse our full range today for great prices and speedy delivery.
