Cabinet Door Hinges - Small But Mighty

Some are shaped like butterflies and others you can't even see. Some open with a pivot and others close automatically. There are many types of cabinet door hinge available, but we often don't even look at them in our own homes. We should because without them our daily lives would be harder.

Hinges are generally eight to ten times stronger than the job they are assigned. So if your front door was off its hinges you have to have the strength to move it yourself. That is why before the hinge was in use many people entered their homes by climbing up a ladder and going through a hole in the roof.

Eventually the Romans adapted the hinge from the large sizes used for city gates to a smaller size to use in the home. So, now we have the cabinet door hinge. Available in a vast array of styles and finishes the cabinet door hinge is an important part of any daccor. Don't get frustrated bouncing from store to store like a pinball to find the hinges you need. Instead shop online and you'll find the best selection as well as the best prices.

Typically the type of cabinet door hinge you need is dictated by the type of cabinet door you have. There are three types of cabinet door; lipped, flush and overlay. A lipped door has a lip cut all the way around it. A flush door rests within the door frame and an overlay door rests on the door frame.

If you have an overlay door you will need pivot hinges. One is attached to the top and the other to the bottom of a door, and portions of each are recessed into the door and frame creating a concealed hinge. Flush doors commonly use butterfly hinges. These hinges are so named because they look like a butterfly when opened. They consist of two flaps with screw holes held together by a pin. They mount on the outside of the door and jamb or frame for a unique decorative look. You'll find them in multiple styles ranging from colonial to art deco and beyond to suit your personal taste.

Similar to the butterfly hinge but recessed into the doorjamb and frame is the standard butt hinge. Also constructed of two flaps with screw holes held together by a pin or rod, this cabinet door hinge can be used on any of the three door types. Another popular hinge that fits all three doors is a spring-loaded or self-closing hinge. Ideal for the kitchen where cabinets are open and closed often these hinges have a small spring inside that closes the door automatically after it has been opened.

No matter what type of cabinet door hinges and finish you choose you should be happy with the results. A cabinet door hinge may be small and it may be overlooked, but without them we wouldn't have cabinets, we would simply have shelves. And sometimes things are better left hidden behind closed doors.