A Plethora of Hinges and What to Do with Them
Friday, November 9th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
There are dozens of hinges to choose from when you are planning a project that necessitates hinges, like installing a door. How do you know which hinges to choose? If you are simply buying new hardware to replace older hardware, then do not throw the older hardware away until it is replaced exactly. For instance, door hinges always vary. They can be right or left-handed. They can have loose pins. In short, you do not want to get stuck not knowing what hinge to buy. Most hardware store employees are happy to have you come into their establishment with the hinge to be replaced. They can help you find what you are looking for amongst the myriad hinges to choose from. They can also recommend hinges to buy that are not exactly the same as your previous model. When you enter a store, come equipped with the knowledge of whether your door opens in or out and how much hinge you want to show at a time.
Maybe you want to improve the previous hinge that you had in place. If an ugly hinge was showing earlier every time you opened your door, then by all means replace it with a decorative or shapely hinge. Just make sure that the new hinge fits nicely in the old mortise (the depression in the door where the hinge goes), otherwise you might have to chisel a deeper space in the door for it. Hinges can also come in heavier weights, so make sure you choose one that is the proper weight for your door. An excessively bulky hinge will not look right on a lightweight interior door.
For entry and exterior doors, hinges should never be accessible from the outside of the house. Any burglar could come along and unhinge your door, not having to fool with your locks and deadbolts. The hinge should always be located inside your house, where only you have access to its screws. When hanging a door, also be cognizant of whether the door opens in or out. If your living room is already cramped, then a door should probably not open into it. Do you want most of your hinge to show when your door is not open? If you like the look of hinges, then it is fine to invest in more ornate models for show.
There are many types of hinges. In addition to the common loose-pin hinge, there are the butt hinge, the back flap hinge, and the ball bearing hinge. The ball bearing hinge has the advantage of being smooth because of its perpetually lubricated nature. There are also butterfly hinges which are ideal for doors of lighter weights. There are double acting hinges which make your doors open in or out (think of saloon doors). Flush hinges stay mostly concealed except for their barrels. They are ideal for use on cabinet doors or other lightweight doors. There are many more hinges on the market, including specialty hinges made for the folding leaves of table tops and pianos.
About the Author:
Linden Walhard publishes first and foremost for www.insidewoodworking.com , an internet site on power tools and machinery. You might see his writings on woodworking over at www.insidewoodworking.com . Click here to get your own unique version of this article.
