Many overlook the importance of door hinges, but their style and functionality can have a huge effect on the performance of your doors. The good news is that door hinges Australia specialized stores offer a wide range of options, meaning that your chances of finding the right hinge for your application are great. Let's take a look at the different types of door hinges available and what you need to consider to make the right decision.
Door Hinge Types
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When shopping for door hinges, you may think that they all look somewhat similar, but different types of door hinges are available for different applications. Choosing the right hinge is just as important as selecting your door's knob and lockset.
Mortise Hinge
This is the most common type of hinge used both in residential and commercial applications. Mortise hinges feature two leaves joined by a removable metal pin that serves as the pivot point. When the door is closed, the leaves "butt" together, leading a neat look. It's a great option for lightweight interior and exterior doors.
Rising Mortise Hinge
A rising mortise hinge is a variance of the standard mortise hinge and it's designed to cause the door to raise itself as it opens. This is the type of hinge you will want to use when you have uneven flooring, such as carpet. It is suitable for both interior and exterior doors.
Ball Bearing Hinge
This hinge allows for a smooth and quiet operation due to its permanently lubricated bearings. The minimal stress and friction make this hinge durable and long-lasting. It is a great option for heavy, wide doors.
Spring Hinge
For applications where a self-closing door is required, spring hinges are the way to go. This type of hinge features springs that automatically pull the door back to its closed position after opening. The tension of the spring can sometimes be adjusted. Spring hinge is commonly used in screen doors, outward swinging doors and garage entry doors.
Double-Action Spring Hinge
A variety of spring hinge that lets the door swing open in both directions and them automatically pulls the door back to its closed position. It's often used in kitchen and dining room doors.
Piano Hinge
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A hinge that is designed to distribute weight evenly across its length, hence reducing stress and providing more support. It can be found in long, narrow lengths, often the full length of the door. It's a great hinge option for shed and barn doors, and thin metal doors.
Lift-Joint Hinge
This type of hinge allows you to easily and quickly lift and remove the door off the hinges without the use of tools. Removing the door allows for more space around the door when needed. A lift-joint hinge is a great option for doors with periodic high traffic, and doors where large items are frequently moved through.
Strap Hinge
This hinge has a long-narrow leaf that attaches to the door. It pivots on either a pintle or second leaf attached to the door surround. It is usually found in both ornate and simple basic styles.
Factors to Consider
Hinge Finish and Design
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Although functionality should be your top priority when choosing a hinge, colour and design are also important. Door hinges Australia specialized stores offer a broad range of finishes such as antique and polished brass, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, rust, pewter and black. Hinges are also available in many different designs. You'll come across hinges in many different shapes and sizes, with some of them featuring ornate patterns carved into the hinge's knuckles and leaves.
Hinge Material
Door hinges are also manufactured in different materials, the most common being stainless steel, copper, brass, cast iron, bronze and pewter. The place the door will be installed may dictate the material that you need. For example, for an exterior door, a stainless steel hinge with its corrosion-resistant quality make a great option. Cast iron and bronze are common materials used to make hinges because they are very rigid and suitable for large, heavy doors.
Installation Tips
The placement of the hinge is crucial to ensure smooth operation. Make sure to leave 12 cm space between the top of the door and the highest hinge, and 25 from the bottom of the door to the lowest hinge. All hinges between should be equally spaced from one another.
There should be a small gap between the door's frame and the edge of the hinge's leaf. The gap should be anywhere between 0.8 cm to 0.95 cm, depending on the door thickness and width of the hinge. Measure and mark right before fastening the hinge to the frame. A gap that is too small will prevent the door from fully closing.
Consider installing the door's leaf and the jamb's leaf separately and then hang the door by joining the hinges back together and reinserting the hinge pins. This is much easier than trying to fasten the hinge to the door while holding the door up the jamb.