How to Buy Hinges

Hinges come in two main styles: inset and overlay. Inset hinges allow the door to fit completely in the door frame. Overlay hinges set the door outside of the frame. Both kinds of hinges can mount either inside or outside the cabinet or inside the doorjamb. Use the following instructions to buy the right hinges for your project.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Measuring tape

Determine Hinge Type and Size

1. Determine how the hinge mounts to the cabinet or door frame: inside, outside or in the doorjamb.
2. Check how the door mounts to the cabinet or door frame: inset or overlay. This determines your main hinge type.
3. Evaluate if the cabinet base is frameless or face-framed. A face-framed cabinet has a thick border and works well with both inset and overlaying doors.
4. Select whether to mount hinges on the surface (visible from the outside) or use "Eurostyle" hinges inside the cabinets (not visible when the doors are closed).
5. Count how many hinges for each door and how many total hinges.
6. Measure any existing holes for sizes and spacing ("span") or determine a range of desirable hole size and spacing for new holes. A range provides the most flexibility in selecting stock hinges.
7. Choose hinge material, finish, and screw types to match existing hinges or other hardware on the item or in the room.

Buy Hinges

8. Take your measurements, style selections and quantity requirements to a local hardware store.
9. Locate the hardware section of the store.
10. Select your hinges. For example, with overlaying doors, inside-mounted hinges with 1/16 inch holes spaced two inches apart, buy a Eurostyle overlay hinge with 1/16 inch holes and a two inch spread.
11. Ensure you select the correct finish.
12. Gather four screws for every hinge. Ensure the screw size and finish match the hinge finish and hole size.

Tips & Warnings

• Inset doors require precise measurements and angles. Unless your cabinets were custom-made by a craftsman, opt for overlay doors.
• Half overlay hinges allow two doors to mount on one central cabinet frame. A half overlay hinge provides a 3/16 inch spacing between doors.
• Consider surface-mount hinges with face-frame inset cabinets for an historic appearance.

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