Which Type of Hinges Do I Need?
We’ve put together this simple guide to help you choose the correct hinges for your application...
Butt Hinges
Butt hinges are the most common hinge type used in modern homes. These hinges are usually fitted to panelled internal and external doors along with lever handles or mortice knobs. Comprised of two pivoting metal plates, butt hinges are fitted between the door frame and the edge of the door. They are usually recessed to keep the hinge flush with both surfaces.
Butt hinges are also the most common hinge used to hang casement windows.
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Above: Pewter 4" Butt Hinge.
Our butt hinges are available in four standard sizes:
- 4” butt hinges are designed for use on large, heavier doors.
- 3” butt hinges are designed for use on lighter internal doors, wardrobes, cupboards or windows.
- 2½” and 2” are designed for wardrobes or cupboards.
Above left: Pewter Butt Hinges, Natural Smooth Plain Drawer Pulls, & matching knobs, Above right: Pewter Butt Hinges & Pewter Oval Mortice/Rim Knob Set.
Above: Pewter Butt Hinges, Natural Smooth Plain Drawer Pulls, & Natural Smooth Octagonal Cabinet Knobs.
Above left: Aged Bronze Butt Hinges & Aged Bronze Presbury Door Knob, Above Right: Black Butt Hinges & matching lever handle.
Discover our full range of Butt Hinges here...
Ball Bearing Butt Hinges
Ball bearing butt hinges have ball bearings around the central pin. This creates a permanently lubricated surface area and provides extra strength and a smooth opening action. Strong and durable, ball bearing butt hinges are designed for use on heavy internal or external doors.
Above: our Aged Brass 4" Ball Bearing Butt Hinge
Above Left: our Pewter Ball Bearing Butt Hinges & matching Monkeytail Lever Handle, Above Right: our Aged Bronze Ball Bearing Butt Hinges with an Aged Bronze Prestbury Door Knob and Hat & Coat Hook.
Above: Pewter Ball Bearing Butt Hinges and Pewter Large Avon Lever Lock Set.
Discover all our Ball Bearing Butt Hinges here...
Parliament Hinges
Parliament hinges are most used on French doors. They have a cut-out section at the top and bottom to allow the door to be projected away from the architrave or frame and open flat against a wall. They are manufactured with ball bearings in the knuckle to provide extra strength and a smooth opening action.
Above: our Polished Chrome Parliament Hinge.
Discover our full range of Parliament Hinges here...
Finish Matching
Our butt and parliament hinges are available in a wide choice of finishes. This allows you to match the hinges with all other hardware used on the door or window, creating a consistent look throughout.
Above Left: Aged Brass Butt Hinge & Aged Brass Hinton Lever Latch Set, Above Middle: Polished Bronze Avon Slimline Lever Espag. Lock Set & Polished Bronze Parliament Hinge, Above Right: Polished Chrome ironmongery including our Hammered Art Deco Drawer Pull, Hammered Mushroom Cabinet Knob, & Butt Hinge.
Butterfly Hinges
As the name suggests, butterfly hinges resemble the wings of a butterfly. Designed for applications where the hinge will be visible, butterfly hinges are perfect for enhancing the look of any small cupboard or piece of ornamental furniture.
Above: our Butterfly Hinge in a rich Beeswax finish.
Discover our full colelction of Butterfly Hinges here...
H & HL Hinges
H & HL hinges are a more traditional, decorative alternative to butt hinges and are perfect for creating a rustic look. Small H hinges are most used on kitchen cabinets and large H hinges are used on larger cupboards or wardrobe doors. HL hinges have one L shaped fixing plate to provide extra support for large or damaged cupboards, doors, windows, or shutters.
Above: a Beeswax 4" H Hinge.
Above: our Beeswax 7" HL Hinge
Above: our Beeswax H Hinges and matching cupboard knob.
Discover our full range of H & HL Hinges here...
T Hinges
T hinges are a more traditional, decorative choice. They are perfect for use in a cottage or barn conversion where a more rustic look is desired and are typically used on internal ledge and brace or plank doors along with a thumblatch. T hinges date back to Medieval times and often had elaborate wrought iron straps that can be found on cathedral or castle doors. Today, we manufacture two designs; Penny End and Arrow Head.
T hinges are available in many sizes, designed for use on small cupboard doors through to large external gates. The general rule is that the hinge should cover 2/3rds of the width of your door. T hinges are sold in pairs and unless your door is extremely heavy two hinges per door should suffice.
Above: one of our Pewter Penny End T-Hinges.
Above: our Black Penny End T Hinges and matching Black Bean Thumblatch.
Above Left: our External Beeswax Arrow Head T Hinges, Above Right: our Pewter Penny End T Hinges, Thumblatch & matching Bean D Handle.
Above: our Black Penny End T Hinges and matching Black Bean Thumblatches.
Discover our full range of T Hinges here...
Hook & Band Hinges
Similar in appearance to T hinges, hook and band hinges are for use on heavy doors and gates. The band is hinged on the pin attached to the fixing plate. Cranked hook and band hinges allow the door or gate to be flush with the surface of the frame.
Above: our External Beeswax Hook & Band Hinge.
Discover our full range of Hook & Band Hinges here...
Hinge Fronts
Hinge fronts are used to create a traditional rustic look on doors that are hung with butt hinges. Purely a decorative product, hinge fronts are fitted to the surface of a door.
Above: our Beeswax 18" Penny End Hinge Front.
Find our full collection of hinge fronts here...
In Summary
So, in most cases we recommend using the following hinges for the following applications:
- Internal panelled door = Butt hinges
- External panelled door = Ball bearing butt hinges
- French doors = Parliament hinges
- Ledge & brace/Plank door = T hinges
- Garden gate = Hook & band hinges
- Rustic kitchen cabinets = Butterfly hinges / H & HL hinges/T hinges
- Modern kitchen cabinets = Butt hinges
View our full range of hinges here...
For more product guidance, visit our Bolts Explained and Handed Window Handles Explained blog posts.
Email: info@fromtheanvil.co.uk
Instagram: @fromtheanvil
