How Do I Choose a Door Hinge?

 

                                                                                

A door hinge is the pivot for opening and closing a door. It attaches a door to its frame so it is very vital that you choose the right door hinge when you are installing a door. Selecting the right door hinge can be confusing at times as they all seem to look similar but there are specific factors that can assist you in making the right choice.

Factors to Consider

An important factor you should take into consideration is the size and weight of the door you wish to install. As a rule, the wider and thicker your door is, the bigger the size of the door hinge you will require. If your door is wider than 36inches or thicker than 3inches your hinge size should not be less than 5inches by 5inches.

Another vital factor you should consider is the height of the door. Typically standard 60 inches tall doors will require 3 hinges but doors taller than this would require more hinges. Consider adding an additional hinge for every 20 inch increase in the height of the door.

Door hinges are made from various materials with a variety of strengths. If you are installing a large or heavy door, you will require strong strap hinges that can bear the weight of the door. External doors will be better fitted with hinges made from corrosion resistant materials such as stainless steel.

Once functionality is taken care of, you can narrow your options down to aesthetics. Door hinges are available in various shapes and designs. Some are carves into different patterns and you can literarily choose whatever design catches your fancy.

Hinge Installation

In order to obtain the best results, there are certain things you should pay attention to when installing your door. A door hinge should be appropriately placed for it to function properly. Ensure that there is some gap between the edge of the hinge and the frame of the door. If the gap is too small, it can prevent the door from closing.

To ensure this does not happen, position the hinge on the door to determine a suitable position. Trace around the hinge before fastening it to the door so that the position does not shift in the process. Make sure there is a gap of about 5 inches between the top of the door and the highest hinge. The lowest hinge should also be at least 10 inches from the bottom of the door and all the hinges in between the highest and the lowest should be equally spaced.

Final Thoughts

Getting it right when installing your door hinges ensures that you do can operate your door hassle-free after they have been installed. You can choose whatever hinge design catches your fancy provided you have considered all the functional elements of the hinges that will enable your door to work smoothly after the door has been installed. A wide variety of finishes are available, ranging from brass to copper, stainless steel and bronze.