Whether you are seeking the correct specification for a new development or commercial building, or simply finding the right product for your home, it is imperative that the most appropriate hinges are used in order to ensure that they are able to provide the correct level of functionality needed.
With a wide variety of door hinges available, it important to assess which will best suit your needs. The following points outline the main types to consider and the functionalities each can offer you and your property.
Butt hinges – for interior and exterior doors
Often used in sets of three or four, Butt hinges are also known as mortise hinges, due to the way that they are set within the door and door frame to create a fixed axis. Butt hinges can be used for interior or exterior doors, dependant on the material they have been crafted from. For example, stainless steel butt hinges with a satin finish are often chosen for interior doors within the home, whereas brass is commonly the choice for exterior doors, to prevent corrosion.
Counter hinges – for doors that require opening upwards
Most commonly used in sets of two, Counter hinges are also referred to as counter flap hinges. These are often used for securing doors and tabletops to cupboards, bars and counters due to their design allowing them to lie flat when in use; making them particularly useful for doors that require opening upwards.
Taking into consideration their interior use, counter hinges from Doorfit come in a range of attractive finishes, such as polished brass, polished chrome and satin chrome.
Parliament – for emergency or fire exit doors
Parliament hinges are otherwise known as projection hinges. Commonly used for emergency and/or fire exits, the main purpose of a parliament hinge is to allow doors to project clear of obstructions when open beyond 90 degrees. For this reason, these hinges are used for both interior and exterior doors.
Here at Doorfit we have a variety of sizes and finishes to suit either purpose, including heavy duty stainless steel or polished brass.
Please note where hinges are fitted to external doors opening outward there is a security risk which can be overcome by the addition of hinge bolts.
Spring – to avoid the need for physical closing of doors
Created with a spring located within the main cylinder, this form of hinge provides an increased level of flexibility; allowing doors to properly close on their own, without the need to be physically shut by the user. Spring hinges are therefore commonly used for garage or cellar doors and for doors in communal accommodation such as halls or flats.
Also available from Doorfit are double spring action hinges. These allow for an easier and faster opening and closing action and are therefore often the hinge of choice for professional kitchens and bars where staff members are moving in and out of rooms quickly and repeatedly. Please note that double action spring hinges are not suitable for fire doors.
T Hinge – for garden gates and wooden doors
A T hinge or Tee hinge will usually be used outside in the garden to hang wooden doors or gates. They are therefore usually crafted from strong, galvanised materials to make them hard-wearing in all conditions. At Doorfit, we provide a range of T hinges in different sizes for your door, and all are available in attractive finishes and designs such as black antique or black japanned hinges.
Additional considerations
Prior to making your final decision it is important that you choose the right size, material and finish for your chosen hinge. In order to do this first consider the weight, dimension and depth of the doors that the product will be used on, remembering that if the door has an additional closer fitted to it, you will need to add an extra 20% to the original weight.
Following this, take time to think about the environment the hinge will be placed in, considering whether it will need to be weather or fire resistant. By taking the time to contemplate all of these points, you can ensure that your final purchase decision will be the right one and won’t result in the need to seek replacement products in the near future.
If you are currently specifying for a new development or commercial building and require a high volume of products, please don’t forget to make the most of our free delivery on orders over £50.
For further information on which door hinges are right for your needs, do not hesitate to email us on info@doorfit.co.uk or call 0121 418 3415 to speak to one of our staff members.