Hinge Buying Guide

Butt hinges are the most common type of hinge, and are used for a range of lightweight interior and exterior doors. This type of hinge has two identical sides, also known as 'leaves': one that gets morticed into the door, and the other secured to the surface of the frame – so the sides of the hinge ‘butt’ up against each other. 

These hinges are fairly easy to remove by pulling out the pin out from the centre – ideal if you’re likely to need to remove the door in the future, such as for decorating or getting large items through. Butt hinges offer a flush, neat finish which is highly desirable for sleek home interiors.

Butt hinges aren’t suitable for heavyweight doors such as fire doors or some front doors, as they won’t be able to support the extra weight. They’ll also require cutting a mortice in the door, which can make installation more complex and could damage the door if not done correctly. Butt hinges will need semi-regular cleaning needed to keep them working effectively.

Ball bearing hinges are a type of butt hinge used in domestic and business environments, with identical leaves that ‘butt up’ against each other when the door is closed. They use ball bearings in the “knuckles'' of the hinge (the parts that hold the two sides together) so theyt're more reliable.

These hinges reduce the potential for squeaking over time because the ball bearings take pressure off the knuckles. There is also reduced friction – making them more durable than other hinges. Ball bearing hinges are also able to support heavier doors than other hinges as the stress is taken off of the knuckles.

Ball bearing hinges need some maintenance to keep the ball bearings free of dust, dirt and debris – or the hinge may get stiff or start to be noisy. Consider the hinge material, as mild steel and standard stainless steel should only be used indoors, whilst 304 and 316 stainless steel is hardy enough for outside use. Ball bearing hinges often have a higher upfront cost than butt hinges – but they can last longer.

A flush hinge is often used for cupboard doors in order to get a flush finish. The two sides of the hinge, the 'leaves', are different – one side fits inside of the other, rather than butting up against each other.

These hinges are hidden when the door is closed, making for a clean finish on cabinets. They’re also easier to install than butt hinges, as they just need screwing into the door - rather than having to cut a recess into the door or the frame. Flush hinges also make for a cost-effective alternative to cabinet hinges.

Flush hinges aren’t suitable for very heavy doors, which is one of the reasons they’re most commonly used for furniture hinges. They’re also less durable than mortice hinges because they’re only installed on the surface. You’ll also find fewer varieties of flush hinges than other types such as butt hinges, particularly in terms of size and structure.

Parliament hinges, also known as projection hinges, have wide leaves which project the door away from the door frame and flat against the wall when opened. They’re suitable for internal residential and commercial doors. You’ll also find graded parliament hinges, which can stand up to fire for between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on their grade.

These hinges can make doors wheelchair accessible by opening up more space around the door. If you have obstacles in the way of your door opening completely, wide leaves can help. When the door opens, the gap between the door and the frame allows it to project over dado rails, downpipes, architraves or window boards, making it an ideal solution.

When doors with parliament hinges are opened, there’ll be a gap between the door and the frame - and when the door is closed part of the hinge will stick out of the back. This can make the appearance of the door appear less seamless and neat.

Self-closing hinges, also known as spring hinges, close the door behind you with a spring that pulls the door into the frame. They’re suitable for internal doors, unless they have a black polymer coating which makes them suitable for external gates. Many spring hinges will be adjustable so you can control how quickly the door closes  so they don't shut too quickly behind you.

They’re used in commercial buildings to control traffic flow and privacy – no need to close the door behind you to protect sensitive information from people walking by. Spring hinges don't require much maintenance, as they won’t attract much dust and debris. 

It's important to remember that they can't be kept open without the use of a door stop. This can be inconvenient if you frequently carry items through the door, or if the door is regularly used. You’ll also find spring hinges could become noisy, especially if the tension is too tight and the door closes too quickly. Heavy doors will pull the door shut too fast, so they're better suited to lightweight doors.

Double-action spring hinges, also known as saloon door hinges, are commonly found on hospital doors, or doors in restaurants or offices. They open in both directions and are fully self-closing. They’re most commonly used inside commercial properties for lightweight doors only.

This type of hinge makes it possible to open the door touch-free – there’s no need for a door pull as they can open in either direction. This can help to limit the spread of bacteria in hospitals and restaurants. You also won’t drop anything you’re holding, and you can get through the door faster in emergencies. 

Double-action spring hinges may be noisy when the hinge brings the door back in – which could become a problem in a relaxing restaurant or a hospital ward at night. The hinge is also clearly visible from one side of the door, making for a less seamless appearance. Double-action spring hinges are not tested for fire safety, meaning they’re unsuitable for fire doors.

A tee hinge consists of a long, narrow leaf that attaches to garden gates and shed doors – or other lightweight exterior doors. They’re designed to evenly distribute weight across the surface of the gate or door to reduce the strain placed on the hinge. These hinges are made from steel and coated for protection against the elements.

Tee hinges come in a range of different styles, finishes, materials and colours which allow you to customise your gate in your style – whether simple and minimalist, or traditional and ornate.

The main consideration with a tee hinge is that they can’t be concealed – they sit directly on the surface of the gate, so you’ll want to choose one in your style! Tee hinges are also only suitable for lightweight doors and gates, and are unsuitable for anything heavy such as wide gates or thick, weighty doors. These hinges are installed on the front of the shed or gate, making them easy to remove – and therefore not suited to security.

Hook and band hinges are large and heavy duty, often used for farm or residential gates. They come in two pieces – the rectangular hinge plate features a hook, and the band attaches to the gate itself. The band sits over the hook to secure it in place. Hook and band hinges need to be a third of the width of the gate, and generally come between 300mm and 600mm. 

These hinges are reliable and durable, made for the heaviest gates. Adjustable hook and band hinges can help to level the gate to make it even more secure and functional. Because the hook and band are bolted together, these hinges can be used for security – unlike the similar tee hinge.

For larger gates, you may need to use three or more of these hinges, which can be more expensive than smaller hinges. Hook and band hinges are placed on the front face of the gate in full view, and so their appearance may not be the most aesthetically pleasing.

Piano hinges, named for their most common use of piano lids and also sometimes referred to as continuous hinges, go along the entire length of the door. They have a central pin and equal leaves on either side, similar to butt hinges. Continuous hinges are often used for heavy doors and lids that need extra support.

These hinges are more stable than other types of hinges because they’re secured along the entire length of the surface and the frame. Piano hinges are perfect for ensuring an equal weight distribution, which can help protect the door or lid from damage. 

Piano hinges are only suitable for doors that aren’t too wide or heavy – you’ll need something with larger leaves in these cases. These hinges do not offer adjustability in terms of the height and size of the gap between the door and the frame, which can limit their flexibility during installation.