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Article
from Rockler.com
Understanding
Hinges
Hinge Styles Depend on Cabinet Design
Adding new hardware and hinges is the secret to a
spectacular kitchen update. The style of hinge you choose, however, is
dependent upon the type and style of your cabinets. To fit your exact needs, Rockler has a large number of styles from which to choose. In this article
we’ll discuss the options and differences so that you can become "hinge
wise," and add a dazzling new touch to your cabinetry design.
Step 1: Are your cabinets Face Frame or
Frameless?
  The
style of hinge you choose will be largely determined by how your cabinets
are made. First determine if your cabinet has a face frame
or is frameless.
Step 2: Determine the overlay of your doors:
For Face Frame Cabinets:
Most traditional cabinetry will require face frame mounted hinges for
doors that overlay their face frames. Overlay is the relationship of your
cabinet doors to the cabinet faces. The amount of overlay will
determine the type of hinge you will need. There are three kinds of face
frame overlay:
- Overlay - If your doors completely overlay face
frames (lie on top of the cabinet faces), and there is no rabbet on
their back edge, you will need an
overlay hinge.
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- 3/8" Inset Hinge - If your doors partially overlay
their face frames and have a rabbet cut along their back edges, you
need a
3/8" inset hinge.
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Full Inset Hinge - If your door fronts are flush with their face
frames and are inset within the frames, you will need a
full inset hinge.
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For Frameless Cabinets:
On European style cabinets, hinges are attached directly to the side of
the cabinet. The amount of overlay (how far your doors overlap the
cabinet sides) will determine the type of hinge you will need. European
cabinets have three kinds of overlay:
- Full Overlay - If your doors completely overlay your
cabinet sides (lie completely on top of the cabinet side edges), you will
need a
frameless overlay hinge.
- Half Overlay - If your doors partially overlay the side
edges of your cabinets (usually about half way), you will need a
frameless half overlay hinge.
- Full Inset - Frameless cabinets with door fronts that are flush
with the side edges of cabinet faces and are fully inset within the side
edges will require
frameless inset hinges.
Overlay or Inset — what's the difference?
Here's something to consider when selecting hinges
Look at your cabinet design before selecting hinges. On Eurostyle
cabinets, hinges are attached directly to the cabinet side. This gives
you the option of fully overlaying, half overlaying or insetting the
door within the opening, as shown below.
Overlay applications
If you decide to use an overlay cabinet design, select full overlay
hinges for the ends and half overlay hinges in the middle of a row of
cabinets.
Inset applications
Inset doors are recessed into the cabinet carcass to create a completely
flush, clean-lined look.
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Other Styles and Functions
Rockler has a large selection of additional hinge types available
including:
Flipper Door Systems (For sliding, hiding doors)
Clip on Hinges (For wider opening doors)
Cross Corner Hinges (For doors closing at a 45-degree angle)
Fully
Concealed Hinges (For doors concealing pull-out shelving)
Surface Mount Hinges
Wraparound Hinges (No mortise for Euro-style applications)
and
many more...
How Many Hinges Per Door?
 The
number of hinges you require will be contingent upon the height and weight
of your doors. Use this chart to determine how many hinges you will need.
For instance, a 43" high door weighing 14 lbs would require 3 hinges.
Installing Your Hinges
Accuracy is crucial to the successful installation of hinges and to
assure proper door alignment. Rockler recommends using the appropriate
installation jig or the guide of your choice. See our line of installation
Jig-It's, and
self-centering drill bits for more information.
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