What are the types of hinges? What are the types of hinges? What are the tips for choosing hinges? 1

Types of Hinges and Tips for Choosing the Right One

Hinges are essential hardware components used to connect or rotate doors, windows, cabinets, and other swinging parts. They provide stability and smooth movement, ensuring the functionality and longevity of these components. There are several types of hinges available, each serving different purposes and varying in materials, designs, and features. Additionally, choosing the right hinge for your specific needs is crucial to ensure proper functionality and durability. In this article, we will explore various types of hinges and provide some tips to help you make the right choice.

1. Ordinary Hinges: Ordinary hinges are commonly used for cabinet doors, windows, entrance doors, and other applications. They are typically made of iron, copper, or stainless steel. These hinges consist of two metal leaves connected by pins, allowing for rotational movement. However, ordinary hinges lack the functionality of spring hinges and often require the addition of touch beads to prevent doors from being blown by the wind.

2. Pipe Hinges or Spring Hinges: Pipe hinges, also known as spring hinges, are mainly used for connecting furniture door panels. These hinges require the panel thickness to be between 16 to 20 mm. Pipe hinges are typically made of galvanized iron or zinc alloy and come equipped with an adjusting screw. This screw allows for height and thickness adjustments of the door panel in various directions. Another notable feature of pipe hinges is their capability to match the opening angle of cabinet doors. In addition to the standard 90-degree angle, there are hinges available in 127-degree, 144-degree, 165-degree angles, ensuring compatibility with different cabinet door designs.

3. Door Hinges: Door hinges can be categorized into two types: common hinges and bearing hinges. Common door hinges have similar features to ordinary hinges, as mentioned earlier. On the other hand, bearing hinges are available in copper and stainless steel variants. From a consumer perspective, copper bearing hinges are more commonly used due to their beautiful and bright styles, moderate price points, and inclusion of screws for installation.

4. Other Hinges: Apart from the aforementioned types, there are several other specialized hinges available in the market. These include glass hinges, countertop hinges, and flap hinges. Glass hinges are specifically designed for frameless glass cabinet doors, with a maximum recommended glass thickness of 5 to 6 mm.

Now that we have explored the different types of hinges, let's move on to some tips for choosing the right hinge for your application:

1. Pay attention to the unfolding process: When purchasing a hinge, unfold it horizontally and observe its unfolding process. A high-quality hinge should slide down slowly, allowing for smooth closing without immediately impacting the door frame. If the hinge is difficult to unfold or unfolds suddenly, it indicates low quality.

2. Check the surface material and treatment: Inspect the hinge's surface for any scratches or deformations. If present, it signifies substandard quality, and it is advisable not to purchase such hinges. Additionally, lightly scratch the surface to check for a yellow copper layer. If the surface displays black water stains, it indicates a weak electroplating layer and insufficient copper plating, potentially resulting in poor quality.

3. Consider the material: When selecting hinges, consider the materials used. Copper and stainless steel are commonly used materials, known for their better quality and durability. For copper hinges, a yellower color indicates higher copper content and better quality. Additionally, ensure that the hinge thickness is around 3 mm as a benchmark for good quality, as anything below this may not meet the required standards.

In conclusion, hinges play a crucial role in the functionality and durability of doors, windows, cabinets, and other swinging parts. By understanding the different types of hinges available and following some tips for choosing the right one, you can ensure optimal performance and longevity. Consider factors such as the hinge type, materials, design features, and quality indicators before making your final selection.