Over time and with everyday wear and tear, your door and cabinet hinges may break down and need replacement. While they're certainly not a glamorous component of any home improvement project, they're vitally important and can cause major problems if they're not working correctly.
If you need to replace your door or cabinet hinges, you should be aware that there are several different types available to consumers. Hinge replacement is easy, and someone with only basic home improvement skills can quickly and easily remove old hinges and install new ones.
There are five basic types of hinges that you should consider, as some of them are intended for highly specific applications. They include butt hinges, invisible hinges, spring hinges, electric hinges and continuous hinges.
Butt hinges are the most common, and consist of metal plates which, when correctly installed, are mobile and connected by a pin. Most doors require two to three butt hinges to work properly; cabinets are usually fine with two.
Invisible hinges work differently. They are actually fused to the door and are not visible once the door is placed. Since they're expensive, they're usually only used for specialized applications or to create a unique aesthetic.
Spring hinges consist of powerful coils mounted inside a plated barrel. If you want a door that shuts automatically after it's opened, then spring hinges are what you're looking for.
If you want to connect your doors to an electronic security system, then electronic hinges may be just the thing you need. They are capable of receiving and transmitting electrical impulses, which work well with electrically powered locks, entry keypads and security card reading systems.
Also known as piano hinges, continuous hinges run along the entire height of the door or cabinet to create a fluid motion that facilitates equal weight distribution. However, they are rarely needed in residential settings.