If we ask ourselves what a hinge is, we probably don't have any doubt about what it is. In this sense, it can be said that a hinge is a small mechanical element that allows controlled movement between two generally flat components (doors, windows, panels...). Its main function is to allow the opening and closing of windows and doors around a point of rotation or central axis. Now, if we enter the world of hinges, we can affirm that there are a multitude of varieties that can be differentiated according to the element to which they are linked, the type of material, the shape or even the degrees of opening they allow. So, we are going to analyze what the main types of hinges are and how each of them differs:
1. DOOR HINGES
1.1 Hinges for wooden doors
There is a wide variety of hinges that can be incorporated into wooden doors , differing according to the type of material they are made of (such as brass or stainless steel hinges), the color or even the shape or operating mechanism (booklet hinges). or hidden hinges). You will have to take into account the material as well as the operating mechanism depending on the door you want to fix, since installing a hinge on a kitchen door is not the same as installing a hinge on a bathroom door.
As you can see, the hinge has a series of holes through which screws are inserted that serve to guarantee the fixation of the doors, and that said doors are joined through the hinge.
HOW TO PLACE A HINGE FOR A WOODEN DOOR:
1.2 Welding hinges for metal doors
As its name indicates, hinges for metal doors have certain peculiarities compared to those used on doors made of other materials. Therefore, they have a more reinforced design and are more stable and durable, because metal doors are usually much heavier and more robust than those made of other materials.
1.3 Hidden or invisible hinges for doors
This type of hinge, as its name suggests, is designed to allow a certain door to be opened and closed but without the hinge being visible. Therefore, it has a mainly aesthetic and decorative element that allows the door to be opened and closed without the mechanism that allows it to be seen. An example of concealed door hinges are mortise hinges , which are installed on the edge of the door and the edge of the front frame, allowing them to be hidden when closed.
1.4 Push-pull hinges
Push-pull hinges or double-action hinges allow a door to open in both directions : outward and inward. In this way, they can be pushed in any direction, causing the push or return automatically. For the installation of this type of hinges, it is important to know the design and mechanism as well as the specific model, for correct operation of the swing hinge.
HOW TO INSTALL A SWING OR DOUBLE ACTION HINGE:
1.5 Hinges with spring opening 180 degrees
These types of hinges incorporate an automatic closure useful for privacy and security. Furthermore, and as is also known, these hinges allow an opening angle of 180 degrees , that is, a complete opening of the door. They are characterized by their resistance and some even include a speed control mechanism, to avoid noisy closings.
2. HINGES FOR FURNITURE AND CABINETS
2.1 Cup hinges
They are the most used hinges on all types of kitchen furniture and some cabinet doors. These are hinges that are not visible from the outside and have an automatic closing mechanism, and can be adjustable and removable. In this way, a precise alignment of the door is achieved, facilitating access to the interior, increasing comfort. They are designed to support different levels of load, depending on the weight and size of the door. According to these dimensions we can find 3 types of cup hinges: straight hinge (when the door is outside the side of the property), angled hinge (when the door is intermediate with respect to the side) and super angled hinge (for interior doors). Some of the most popular brands of cup hinges are those from Blum or Hettich .
HOW TO INSTALL A CUP HINGE:
2.2 Cabinet hinges
One of the most commonly used hinges for closets in our homes are hinges with hydraulic gas shock absorbers . They are also called soft-closing hinges or brake hinges , and their main function is to prevent quick and noisy closing, making the useful life of the doors and hinges much longer. In addition, said brake is adjustable to be able to adjust the closing of the door in the most convenient way. Some types of locks also allow some control of the door to keep it open in the desired position. The aim of this type of lock is to protect the performance of both the cabinet doors and the hinge itself, and that is why they are made of stainless steel or certain alloys.
HOW TO INSTALL A CABINET HINGE OR HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER:
2.3 Drawer guides
The drawer guides allow the safe and smooth movement of those drawers that are inside a piece of furniture, thus allowing greater ease of use as well as greater stability and security of the furniture. Thus, the guides are easy to install and thanks to the soft closing mechanism, a complete or partial extension of the drawer is allowed, allowing access to its interior. Its usefulness is ideal for those spaces that are limited or for security purposes.
2.4 Book or double leaf hinges
Book hinges or double -leaf hinges are the most used due to their simplicity in operation. There are various types of book hinges: brass, rustic, reinforced, zinc-plated... and in various sizes depending on the element to which they are fastening. Now, the characteristic common to all of them is that they open simulating the pages of a book, screwing to the sides of the planks or doors depending on the type of hinge or the opening intention.
Another aspect why they are the most used is because of their simple assembly that can be done on the edges, on the side and the edge, or on the sides. This allows its installation to not generate any type of inconvenience.
HOW TO ATTACH A BOOK HINGE:
3. SPECIAL HINGES
3.1 Windows and shutters
For windows and shutters there are a series of special hinges or bolts. Its operation consists of inserting the special window hinge inside the sashes along with some trims, so that it is much more aesthetic. While it is true, some of the hinges described above are also compatible with windows. As they are designed for windows, the movement mechanism must facilitate the turning of the window or shutter smoothly, so that the window structure is safe and stable. Depending on the type of hinge, a larger or smaller window opening will be allowed. While it is true, the aesthetic component is always quite present.
HOW TO INSTALL A WINDOW HINGE:
3.2 Hinges for screens
The hinges used in screens are usually specially designed for this type of use. They are a simple example of how a hinge for glass and glass doors works. As screens are usually found in bathrooms or places whose environmental conditions are not common, it is common to see that they are manufactured from resistant materials such as stainless steel. In addition, they usually allow a wide degree of opening to facilitate access through the screen. They are also designed so that their installation is simple and with a style that adapts to the aesthetics of the screen.
3.3 Piano hinges
Piano hinges or reed hinges , as their name suggests, are frequently used in piano construction. That is why its features are designed to extend along the length of the piano top. In this way, the different lids that are part of the piano can be easily joined together, making the movement smooth and controlled. Due to their strength function, such hinges are usually stable and durable.
3.3 Door hinges
The hinges can be for both doors and windows, although it is true that they do not usually have a simple installation due to the need to make a prior recess to fit the frame plates and the edge of the door. The pocketing can be done directly with a chisel or with a normal or hinge milling machine.
HOW TO PUT ON A HINGE HINGE OR HINGES:
3.4 Surface hinges, easy or without cup
Surface hinges are installed on the surface of the door and frame without the addition of any cups. These are very versatile hinges that can be adjusted to the specific surface, depending on the position. They tend to be quite resistant, and can also incorporate finishes and styles depending on the design, although the lack of a bowl can generate more abrupt movements. While it is true, this type of locks are necessary when there are cases of structural limitations or repairs .
3.5 Hinges and hinges
The hinge is a hardware that allows the closing and opening of doors and windows. It is recessed and screwed to the wall or frame. On the other hand, the hinge is screwed into the door or window leaf, allowing it to join with the hinge. In this way, the hinge provides a support point from which the door or window opens and closes (moving part) and the hinge is the axis on which the door or window rests and rotates.
