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How to Mount a Flush Mount Hinge

Kevin Krause

The flush-mount hinge is typically used to install cabinet doors so that they are flush with the face of the cabinet. Flush mounting will create an even look between the cabinets and their doors, and will reduce the amount of exposed hinge hardware. In flush mounting, the hinge leaves are located on the inside rails of the doors and cabinets. Installing new hinges is a simple process that requires only a few basic tools and the proper hardware.

  1. Measure and mark the location of each hinge on the cabinet door. Make sure the depth of the hinge leaf matches the thickness of the door. When flush mounted, the hinge is attached to the side of the door, so if your door is a half inch thick, the hinge leaf should be no deeper than a half inch. Trace the perimeter of the hinge leaf onto the mounting locations on the door.

  2. Use a hammer and chisel to cut out the traced area if you want to mortise your hinge. This will allow the hinge to be mounted without creating a gap between the cabinet and door.

  3. Position the hinge at the mounting location so that the knuckle of the hinge is on the front of the door. Attach the hinge with screws. Repeat this step for each hinge on the door.

  4. Mark the location of the hinges on the cabinet, and trace the hinge lead perimeter at the mounting points. Use a hammer and chisel to mortise the mounting location.

  5. Mount the door in the cabinet and use screws to fasten the loose hinge leaves to their mounting locations.