Where to use and how to install universal hinges. Types of door hinges and how to install them
Currently, there are a wide variety of hinges for doors. Main fundamental differences consist in the method of installation, design, material of manufacture and purpose. Today on sale there are both expensive hidden hinges for $ 200 apiece, and cheap metal counterparts. The hinge itself is needed not only to open and close the door, but also to keep it in a level position without skew.
general information
It must be understood that there are universal and detachable loops. The main difference between them is that the former must be unscrewed when dismantling the door. Detachable hinges do not need to be removed, so you might think that they are more practical, and therefore preferable, but is this the case, we will figure it out a little later.
Among other things, doors are classified according to the place of installation. They are entrance and interior. It is quite logical that hinges for entrance doors are more durable and reliable. This is due to the fact that input canvas has a lot of weight, and the interior, as a rule, is small. Nevertheless, structurally, hinges for doors may not differ. But there is a difference between them. Sometimes it makes sense to use input loops for interior doors. This is done to improve the reliability of the design.
Hinges for interior doors
If we are talking about canvases that open in both directions, then you should definitely give preference to bar hinges. Structurally, they consist of several prefabricated parts, each of which is attached in a special way. It is desirable to make installation, having at least some experience. This is due to the fact that such loops are not the cheapest.
The most interesting hinges for interior doors are hidden. It is rather difficult to install them yourself, due to their unusual design. When the door is closed, they fold out, and when opened, they fold so that they are almost invisible. Of course, these are one of the most expensive door hinges, so it is better to entrust the installation to professionals. These products are of exceptional quality and durability.
If the door opens in one direction, then it is not at all necessary to purchase expensive products. We will talk about which loops are suitable in most cases below.
Overhead canopies and mortise hinges
Well, now - about the simplest and most popular. Overhead awnings have been around for a very long time. Their design consists of only three elements - two plates and a pin. One of the plates - the one that is attached to the door leaf, is made elongated. The second, mounted on the door frame, has small dimensions. A key feature of overhead awnings: they are very clearly visible when the door is closed. This is due to the fact that such loops are simply applied and fixed with self-tapping screws. The installation of the described canopies does not imply preliminary dimensioning, cutting grooves, etc., so you can do the installation yourself.
Mortise hinges are considered truly classic. It is these canopies that are usually divided into universal and removable. Any of the species is practically invisible when closed doors. When buying, it is important to consider that mortise hinges are right and left. Therefore, first consider in which direction the canvas will open. Only after this should the installation of hinges on the door be carried out. This will help avoid problems with its operation.
Hidden hinges for doors and all about them
Hidden awnings have been developed relatively recently. Their design is quite complex, it is a collectively working mechanism. The bottom line is that when closed, we see only the door. The canopy has three rotary axes. The central one is movable, and the other two are rotary fixed. This makes the canopies universal, so the canvas can open in both directions. But it is worth noting that it is almost impossible to install hidden hinges for doors that have a small thickness. This is due to the fact that niche creation is required. They can break the rigidity of the structure.
As for the price, it is rather big. These are very expensive hinges, usually starting at $50. It is worth noting that they rarely break, especially if they are branded. Nevertheless, it hardly makes sense to install such awnings just because they are universal. If the installation of such loops helps to realize any design solution then they make sense.
Screw hinges
The design of such loops is quite simple. The device consists of a single mechanism, which, in turn, is divided into two parts. Each of them has pins that are screwed into the door leaf and into the box. The result is a complete connection. It is worth noting that the number of pins may vary depending on the maximum load. Two-, three- and four-pin hinges are currently being produced. The first option is ideal for light interior doors, and the latter for heavy entrance doors.
These are excellent quality and relatively inexpensive hinges. In addition, during installation, it becomes possible to adjust in three directions: in height, horizontally and pressure surface. This allows you to install the door leaf into the box as accurately as possible, and a reliable mechanism will make the structure durable.
Markup and installation
Before going directly to installation work, it is necessary to make markings on the door leaf. And it does not matter whether the hinge of the front door or the back door will be installed. Markup is required. To do this, from the side of the end of the canvas lay 20 cm above and below. From here the markup will be performed. It is worth paying your attention that before this it is desirable to decide in which direction the door will open. In the process of marking, the hinges are applied to the door so that the hinges look at the front of the canvas.
Professionals use two markup methods. The first is the simplest and most popular, but less accurate. It consists in the fact that the loop is applied to the door, and marks are made along its contour with a pencil. The second way is more laborious. Its essence is that the loop is temporarily attached to two screws. Then, cuts are made along the contour, after which, using a chisel, grooves are cut along the contour to the depth of the loop installation. This method ensures maximum accuracy. In this case, loops tailgate take a little longer to install.
Installing screw-in hinges
We have already figured out a little about the design and features of this type of loop. But it is worth noting that for a smooth turn and an exact match of the two halves of the part, it is necessary to correctly assemble. All stages of work, from marking to installation, must be carried out responsibly and efficiently. This is exactly the case when it is desirable to use a more laborious mounting method that provides maximum accuracy. The main mistake of many is that they often exceed permissible loads. It may not appear right away, but over time, there is already a noticeable distortion to the eye. The installation of hinges on the door should be carried out by specialists, but if you decide to do it yourself, then just be very careful, then everything will work out.
What is suitable for the front door?
It is easy to guess that the overall door, for example, a metal or thick wooden one, should be installed on strong hinges. In this case, it is hardly advisable to use two- or three-pin products. The best way out in this situation is to purchase overhead hinged hinges. The bottom line is that due to the simplicity of the design, its quality is ensured. Installation is quite simple and fast. One side of the hinge is mounted directly into the hatch, the other side - into the door leaf.
It is worth paying your attention to the fact that it is highly undesirable to install non-mortise hinges on entrance doors. This is due to the fact that under heavy load they can be deformed. In addition, any thief will be delighted with such a decision, because there is nothing easier than dismantling such a canopy. You can make entrance doors with hidden loops. This, of course, is expensive, but it looks spectacular, and, most importantly, the reliability of the design is ensured.
About glass door hinges
This option is somewhat different from all of the above. The point is that loops for glass doors have structural differences from the classical ones. Firstly, in the standard version, the door has an impressive weight - about 30-40 kilograms. Secondly, it is far from always possible to drill.
Hinges for glass doors are hinged (overhead, hidden). This solution is well suited for the design of the "accordion" type or swing panels. If the product has an impressive weight, then it is advisable to install a pair of four-hinged hinges. They withstand high loads, while not deformed. Carousel loops (pendulum) are popular. Their key feature is that they allow the structure to rotate.
Conclusion
There is a huge variety of doors - wooden, glass, metal, etc. For this reason there is big choice loops, ranging from elementary overhead structures to complex hidden ones. It is worth noting that it is far from always necessary to use expensive awnings. For example, it is better to put mortise hinges on the front door. They will be strong and reliable. True, it is worth responsibly approaching the choice of material. It is desirable that the loop does not rust and has a service life of about 50 years. It will be a little more expensive, but you will not need to check the condition of the product every year. As for the repair, it is carried out only with deformations.
wood as a material for front door has lost its relevance. This is mainly due to the fact that the material is not able to provide protection against hacking, since it is quite easy to cut even with ordinary mechanical tool. However, in suburban dermis, where security measures are not limited to the entrance, this option is common.
Door hinges for wooden doors are selected taking into account the characteristics of both the material and the purpose.
door leaves
Entrance structures, which are called wooden doors, are not so few today and they differ markedly in their structure.
- Chipboard - material and is now used on small dachas where they live only in the summer.
- MDF - the canvas can be cut from an MDF sheet, or it can have completely lightweight construction: frame sheathed with MDF sheets. The appearance of such a model may be quite good, but as protection against hacking, it is no good. In addition, this option does not provide good thermal insulation, so it is also not suitable for houses that are constantly used. For summer cottages this option is fine.
- The combination of solid wood and MDF - the sash is much heavier, but it has much better heat and sound insulation qualities. A large weight requires the use of reinforced fittings, but the width and integrity of the canvas allows you to install more reliable and powerful locks.
- Solid wood is the most respectable and expensive option. The door has a large mass: for example, a pine leaf weighs about 30 kg, ash - up to 45 kg, oak - more than 60 kg. Its main advantage is, again, not in strength, although oak will provide this quality, but in excellent heat and sound insulation. And, of course, in excellent appearance products.
Hinges for entrance wooden doors
Products are produced in a variety of ways - reinforced and conventional, from of stainless steel and forged, mortise and overhead. They are selected taking into account the weight of the sash, the design of the entrance - one door, a vestibule, and the parameter that is considered the most important.
- Stealth - Their advantage is invisibility. When the sash is closed, it is difficult to detect fittings. There are 2 types of this category: mortise and screw. Mortise hinges are placed on doors with a porch or overlay. To install them, you need to make grooves in the canvas and the box so that the products are, as it were, recessed into the wood.
An even more inconspicuous way is screw-in models, they consist of an axis and two screws. The latter are screwed into the end of the canvas, which makes the fittings literally invisible. However, this option does not allow you to remove the entrance sash from the hinges, they will have to be completely dismantled.
- Decorativeness - this quality is most relevant for overhead options. Their typical variant, like a butterfly, for input structures not suitable: the hardware will not withstand a heavy sash, as it is designed for 20–25 kg. However, in country houses especially in vestibules, where the second sash plays the role of thermal insulation, antique forged overhead hinges have become popular. Such fittings are very decorative, give the building a touch of noble antiquity, and, of course, look much more interesting than stamped products. There is no need to embed overhead elements, but it will not be possible to remove the wooden door from the hinges, and in this case, complete dismantling is needed. In the photo - forged fittings.
- Thermal insulation - to ensure this quality, door leaf or the box, or both, must have a special design. We are talking about models with a surfacing or a vestibule. The sash in this case turns out to be slightly larger than the opening of its own box and overlaps. This design allows you to achieve additional thermal insulation, but requires special fittings.
Install for this hinged corner or screw door hinges. In the first case, the fittings must be embedded, in the second, screws must be screwed into the canvas. In both models, the axis is behind the porch, which allows you to freely open the sash, while achieving complete adjacency when closing. Hinges for heavy wooden doors will be needed from durable alloys - stainless steel is best, in addition, you will have to install at least 4 products instead of 2. You cannot remove them, you need to disassemble the mount.
Hardware installation
How to install hinges on a wooden door or remove them depends on the type and design of the model chosen. Most it is necessary to embed, overheads can simply be hung, screw-in ones will need to be screwed into the canvas.
The installation technology of the most common option looks like this:
- mark the place of attachment - 20–25 cm from the edge of the canvas. If not 2, but more elements are set, the latter are distributed evenly between the two extreme ones;
- loops are applied and circled with a knife;
- mark the place of attachment on the riser of the box, so as not to make a mistake. To do this, the sash is placed in a frame;
- then with a milling cutter, or a chisel with a hammer - the first option is much better, they choose wood from the groove to a depth equal to the thickness of the plate;
Each of us who has ever dealt with the installation of doors, their repair or restoration, probably knows what door hinges are. It's safe to say it's enough important element doors, without which it will sag, warp and cease to perform its main function.
Let's take a closer look at the main types of door canopies, when one or another is used, what are their design features.
General information
Door hinges - an elementary mechanism by which fastening is carried out door leaf to the frame. Currently, canopies are classified according to the installation site, material, and design. Usually, knowledge of the design differences of door hinges is not required. Often awnings come with a door. But if you ordered to make a door leaf and, in fact, a box, then it is likely that you will have to choose the canopies yourself. This is where the theoretical experience gained from this article comes in handy. It must be understood that all doors are equipped with two hinges. Although this applies only to cases where the load on the canopy will not exceed 25 kilograms. Heavier doors require the installation of more massive canopies, usually 2-3 pieces.
External hinges
Overhead canopies, they are also outdoor, are rightfully considered the most ancient and popular. They appeared immediately after people mastered such a process as metal forging. Of course, there was no need to talk about any patterns and other subtleties, but such loops coped with their main purpose perfectly. The first options were large enough, so they held massive doors without any problems. It is currently the most cheap look canopies, which for the most part is popular in countryside. However, forged hinges are back in the trend. This is due not only to a large selection of sizes, but also to the difference in patterns. Modern blacksmiths did their best, so the variety of forms of such canopies cannot be counted. Their key advantage lies in the ease of installation. The door frame does not have to be pre-prepared. It is enough to screw the hinges to the canvas, and you can install the door in the design position.
Internal hinges
Mortise hinges are by and large the same canopies, but with small design features. That is why they are called card loops. Usually, consumers are offered a huge number of different models, but all the differences are in the form of a decorative plug.
Some loops of this type include bearings in their design. With proper lubrication, the door opens and closes very easily. But you need to understand that the bearing has its own resource and does not tolerate strong blows and prolonged vibration. The cheapest options for door card hinges do not have a special zinc (anti-corrosion) coating, so they fail quickly enough. Them key advantage before other types of loops is that they are universal. Therefore, you can forget about looking for right or left loops.
Universal door hinge
It would seem that universal loops stand out favorably against the background of any other type. Nevertheless, they are good in some ways, and lag behind in some respects. Their main advantage is that they are double-sided. Therefore, they can be installed on doors that open both to the right and to the left. However, they are rarely used. This is due to the fact that for the most part they are not removable, and it is rather difficult to install them on the door block. They need to be adjusted as accurately as possible, and only then you can count on the fact that the door will look good.
Often, a universal door hinge is used for mezzanines, cupboards, as well as swing doors. But even here they are not always used. Forte such hinges lies in the fact that they are made of galvanized steel, therefore, during operation, they practically do not wear out and are not subject to corrosion processes.
Overhead detachable hinges
This type of loops practically does not differ from the above type. However, this is the preferred option in many cases. This is due to the collapsible design. This solution reduces the complexity of installation work.
This is one of the best budget options. Such loops, like the previous ones, are very reliable and of high quality. True, to dismantle them, you will need to unscrew the screws or nails, which is significant disadvantage. Currently, there are a huge number of sizes of detachable loops. Therefore, if you are going to install the door leaf yourself, use just such canopies. It is much easier to work with them than with one-piece ones; they are not inferior in reliability and durability.
Briefly about screw hinges
Loops, consisting of two parts and having small threaded pins on each, are called screw-in. The hinged part of the canopy is, as it were, screwed into the door leaf, and the frame part - into the door frame. Often used on doors with an influx, but sometimes they are used without an influx.
Screw-in hinge models differ in the number of screwed pins. For light doors, two- and 3-pin options are used. For heavy doors, 4-pin canopies are used with the ability to adjust in 3 planes, which allows you to achieve maximum accuracy during installation. Repair of this type of door hinge is usually limited to replacing the pins. In cases of visible deformation or mechanical damage, it is easier to replace the loop with a new one.
To ensure noiseless operation, plastic inserts and metal balls are used, mounted in the case of the wing part of the canopy. In general, the installation of this type of loops has several undeniable advantages. Firstly, it is reliability, and secondly, the possibility of using decorative caps.
Hidden door hinges
Often the turning part of a canopy or hinge, when the door is closed, is visible to the naked eye. So for those who do not want at least some part of the structure to be visible, there are hidden loops. They have very complex structure and hence are not cheap. The hinges are equipped with three rotary axes, therefore they are universal. With closed doors, such canopies are not visible, which is their key advantage. As for the shortcomings, hidden door hinges are very expensive. Usually for one piece you will have to pay about $ 50. It is necessary to put about 3 such canopies on a heavy door.
So we figured out what hidden door hinges are. The price for them, as you can see, is very high. It is for this reason that it makes sense not to change such canopies, but to repair them. For the most part, the repair consists in replacing one of the axles, as well as laying and fresh lubrication. In some cases, when several axes are deformed, it makes sense to give the hinges to specialists.
About overhead loops
Relatively recently, overhead loops appeared on sale. The principle of their device and operation is not much different from the classic mortise canopies. But there are several key features that distinguish these loops from other types. Firstly, they do not need to be cut into the canvas and the door frame. This is due design features. In the closed state, the door overlay hinges have a gap between the door leaf and the frame of no more than 3 mm. In this case, the web fastening card is included in the box fastening card.
The main disadvantage of such canopies is that it is undesirable to use them for heavy doors. This is due to possible deformations and distortion. But the overhead door hinges have a design that allows for installation as quickly and easily as possible. This is perfect solution for interior doors that are light in weight. They are usually not repaired, since the price allows you to immediately make a replacement. If you install overhead hinges on heavy doors, then do not put less than 3 canopies. The distance between each should be the same, but not less than 30 centimeters.
Conclusion
So we talked about the types of loops and their repair. It was not said about such popular canopies as butterflies. It is worth noting that the “butterfly” door hinges are card canopies, the sides of which, when unfolded, resemble the wings of a butterfly, hence the name actually came from. By and large, these are the most common overhead loops, which for some reason were divided into two groups. The principle of their operation is exactly the same. The same simple installation and the uselessness of tie-ins due to the imposition of cards on top of each other. In general, butterfly door hinges, like classic overhead ones, are an excellent solution for interior doors.
In principle, this is all that can be said on this topic. The market sells a huge number of loops. Which of them suits you best, decide for yourself, but remember about key features of every kind. We also figured out how to replace door hinges.
Durability of functioning depends on the reliability of the loops hinged doors. But the correct choice and installation of hinges mean no less - an error will lead to sagging and warping of the door leaf. What types of this fittings exist depending on the material of the door and frame, you will learn from our review.
Wooden doors
One of the most "old" versions of the door hinge exists now. This is a forged patch front loop, which fully corresponds to the definition of handmade. Use it in wooden construction, and in decorative terms, it is one of the central elements front door design.
AT Soviet time the most common type was a mortise detachable loop.
This model is still being installed. Attached to the box lower part, and to the canvas - the top. With the door fully open, if the platbands do not interfere, the canvas can be removed without dismantling the hinges. This makes it possible to lubricate the hinge pin or put a washer on it if the door sagged slightly and began to cling to the floor (as a result of shrinkage of the house or shrinkage of the box).
The mortise universal hinge belongs to the one-piece type. It consists of five hinges separated by four wide washers.
Part of the loop (wing) with two extreme and one central hinge is attached to the box. A wing with two hinges is cut into the end of the door leaf. Such a hinge can withstand more significant loads than a detachable one (with the same finger size), but in order to remove the canvas, all hinges must be dismantled.
For interior doors there are models with decorative pattern on hinges and wings.
The one-piece type includes overhead butterfly loops, in which one wing enters the other.
And although this original name the loop received due to the figured shape of the inner wing, there are models with a rectangular inner part.
In addition to straight mortise hinges, there are corner models. In this species, both wings (or one of them) are made in the form of a corner. They are used in a box with a vestibule, this type can be both one-piece and detachable.
The most difficult to install are hidden hinges.
Unlike conventional mortise hinges, another recess must be cut in the box and the end of the web to hide the hinge mechanism, which has three rotary axes. But this inconvenience is compensated by special decorative properties doors (when closed, the hinge is not visible at all) and more “wider” possibilities for its opening (up to 180 °).
Screwed hinges have a special mounting method: the frame part is screwed into the front surface of the box, and the counter part is screwed into the end of the door leaf. Therefore, for ordinary doors those loops don't fit. By design, they are:
- with one pin and overlay plate;
- with two pins;
- with three and four pins.
Moreover, in the latter case, such a hinge has a special screw that allows you to adjust the position of the cam and the height of the web relative to the box.
They are also called "spring", because inside each axial cartridge there are springs that return the canvas to the plane door frame. Such doors open in both directions, so this mechanism is used for rooms with high traffic (hence the name - "bar").
Metal doors
For entrance metal doors, three types of hinges are most common.
1. Welded (drip). This is a kind of mortise loop, each part of which is welded to the box and canvas. The only downside is open view. And although such a hinge has anti-removable pins, its resistance to breaking is lower than that of a flush-mounted hinge.
2. Corner. Classic hinge for a rebate door. The hidden mounting part of the wings provides higher anti-burglary properties of the hinge.
3. Hidden. special type hinges, the mechanism of which is completely hidden in the box. It has absolute burglary resistance, but a long lever and increased bearing loads reduce durability.
Door hinges are a mechanism designed to fasten the door leaf in the frame.
The reliable and thought-out design of door hinges is a guarantee of high-quality work of a door. Traditional door hinges are called card hinges.
The main feature that guides when choosing door hinges
First and main feature choice of door hinges, does not imply their aesthetic properties and quality characteristics but the way the door is opened. There are two main types of door hinges, these are: right and left.
To correctly determine which hinges are needed, you need to stand in front of the door, its opening should take place “on you”, the door hinges right hand- right, respectively, from the opposite left side - left.
Universal canopies for interior doors
There are universal door hinges, their use is possible with doors of almost any plan, regardless of the method of opening. They are characteristic significant disadvantage, universal hinges are an inseparable structure, so if you need to bring bulky furniture into the room, they will have to be removed.
Ordinary standard card loops they look like a detachable structure, so removing the door from the hinges is not a big deal. Their main advantage is easy installation.
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Butterfly door hinges
There is a new device of universal hinges, the so-called butterfly hinges, one half of which is fixed on the door leaf and looks like the wing of this very butterfly, in the other half there is a cutout that follows the contours of this very wing.
The disadvantage of some models of such hinges is that they may play under the weight of the door, so it is advisable to use cardboard linings to install them.
The displacement of the loops can occur due to the low coefficient of friction of the metal plate about laminated film. Alternatively, you can use universal glue"Moment", the layer of glue unloads the screws, which are weakly held in the chipboard, so the main load falls on the glue.
Such loops are of a universal type and are attached without a tie-in, they are overhead.
Bearing door hinges
To improve their operational properties, modern door hinges are supplemented with journal bearings, or hidden rolling bearings hidden inside the hinge. The bearing balls are made of hardened steel.
Plain bearings are characterized by increased strength performance, they also help to get rid of unpleasant door creak. They are not recommended for lightweight doors, the friction for them will be low, so spontaneous opening may occur.
Alternatively, anti-squeak rings can be used instead of bearings.
To improve the aesthetic qualities, many door hinges are equipped with decorative caps, in addition, they perform a protective function of the mechanism, protecting it and the sliding bearing located at the beginning of the hinge from dust getting inside.
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Drop-shaped door hinges
In addition to the standard door hinges that have become traditional, teardrop-shaped door hinges have been developed. They have special form: support bearing in their design serves to prevent abrasion working surface, helps to improve the operation of the door, is characterized by long operational qualities and long time work. For any type of door, it is recommended to use three bearings.
The correct and uniform arrangement of the door hinges contributes to a long service life, and also depends on the weight of the door. For a door leaf weighing up to 25 kg, 2 hinges are enough, for a weight of 25 - 40 kg, 3 hinges are required, for doors up to 60 kg, at least 4 hinges are used.
Features of door hinges depending on the material of manufacture
The material of door hinges is mainly ordinary and stainless steel and brass. Steel hinges are made by stamping, brass - by casting.
Brass is ductile, so when cast, an elegant, stylish product is obtained. In addition, brass hinges have high quality galvanic processing.
Stainless steel hinges
This kind of door hinge has all the properties of ordinary steel hinges, such as strength, wear resistance and hardness, such hinges are superior to brass hinges in their elegance.
