Door Hinges: Sizes, Corners and Finishes
Hinges are easy to overlook, but they are visible on every door and they carry its weight every day. Matching them to new levers and knobs makes a real difference to how finished a room looks.
Sizes
Butt hinges are measured by height and, when open flat, by width. In most houses, 3-1/2 inch hinges are standard on interior doors and 4 inch hinges are common on exterior and heavier doors. Solid-core and oversized doors often use 4-1/2 inch ball-bearing hinges.
Square or radius corners
Look at the hinge recess cut into the door frame. Many modern pre-hung doors use rounded corners, usually 1/4 inch or 5/8 inch radius. Older and custom doors often use square corners. A replacement hinge must match the corners, or the frame and door will need to be recut.
How many hinges?
A common rule is one hinge for every 30 inches of door height, plus one more for heavy doors. A standard 80 inch interior door usually has three hinges. Tall, heavy or solid doors may use four.
Ball bearings and weight
Ball-bearing hinges run more smoothly and wear more slowly, and they are recommended for exterior doors and heavy solid-core doors. Standard plain-bearing hinges are fine for lightweight interior doors.
Specialty hinges
- Spring hinges: close the door automatically, often used for garage entry doors where code requires it.
- Strap and T-hinges: decorative, surface-mounted hinges for barn, gate and rustic doors.
- Pivot hinges: used for heavy contemporary and oversized doors.
- Concealed hinges: for flush, hidden doors and many cabinet doors.
Finish
Match the hinge finish to the door hardware on the side of the door where the hinge knuckle shows. With unlacquered brass levers, unlacquered brass hinges age alongside them.
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