Cabinet Hinge Buying Guide
Learn everything you need to know about cabinet hinges, and what to look for when you’re shopping for new ones. It’s important to understand your options in function and appearance, so you can buy hinges that perform the way you want, fit properly, and complete the look of your project. You’ll also want high-quality hinges for durability—which won’t be an issue if you buy with us. We only sell the best hinges for your cabinets and doors.
Types of Cabinet Hinges
A cabinet hinge is the folding hardware piece that attaches the cabinet door to its frame, making it possible to open and close the door. Since there are many types of doors and cabinet styles, there are many types of hinges to accommodate them. Here are the main types of cabinet hinges and when you’d use them:
Overlay Hinges
An overlay hinge is a general term to describe any hinge used on a cabinet door that’s hung on the outside of the cabinet frame (versus an “inlay” or “inset” door that’s hung inside the frame so it fits within the frame like a puzzle piece). Overlay doors and overlay hinges are the traditional set up you see in most homes and offices, and likely the style you have in your home, too. Cabinet doors come in either a “full overlay” style or a “partial overlay.” Full overlay is when the doors shut flush with each other so you don’t see any of the cabinet frame between the doors. The effect is that the entire door is the front of the cabinet, which creates a nice, clean look. Partial overlay means the doors don’t meet in the middle when closed, so you can see the cabinet frame between them. This style gives your cabinets a nice texture, if that’s what you want.
Pro Tip: Accurately measuring the cabinet overlay is critical when you’re changing your hinges. The “door overlay” is how much wider the actual door is than the rectangular hole in the cabinet frame that it covers. To accurately calculate the overlay, measure the width of the door, then measure the width of the opening that it covers up. Simply subtract the door width by the opening width and divide by 2. This will reveal their overlay:
- Here’s the formula: (Door width – Opening width) ÷ 2 = Overlay
Example: You have an 11” door that covers a 10” opening. The door is 1” wider than the opening it covers. So, by the time the door is centered to the opening, it covers each side of the cabinet frame by a ½” overlay. So, if the door is one inch wider than the cut out in the cabinet, you’ve got a 1” overlay. To learn more, check out our instructional video explaining cabinet overlays.
Inset (or, Inlay) Hinges
If your cabinet doors fit inside the cabinet frame, they’re “inset” (or “inlay”) doors that need inset hinges. Inset hinges are installed inside the cabinet so they’re not visible from the outside.
Concealed Hinges
Like inset hinges, you can’t see a concealed hinge on the outside of the cabinet, hence the “concealed” aspect. But, you can use concealed hinges with overlay doors, so they’re a great choice if you like that type of door but don’t want the hinges to be seen. Concealed hinges are also referred to as European hinges or hidden hinges. They’re excellent for minimalist or modern styles, and often come with soft-close or self-close options.
Soft-Close Hinges
The invention of the soft-close hinge was a blessing to sensitive ears everywhere. This type of hinge includes a mechanism to close the door slowly and gently, so there’s no more slamming cabinet doors or fingers getting smashed in a door that shuts too fast. Soft-close hinges cut down on noise and wear on your cabinets, so they’re excellent for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas. You can find inset and overlay hinges with the soft-close feature.
Self-Closing Hinges
If you’re bothered by cabinet doors that don’t stay shut, the self-closing hinge is for you. Designed to solve the problem of doors swaying open from uneven floors or furniture movement, the self-closing hinge includes a spring that keeps the door closed once you shut it. Self-closing hinges come in several styles and finishes. You’ll find inset and overlay hinges with the self-closing feature.
Wrap-Around Hinges
Wrap-around hinges are designed to “wrap” the hinge around the cabinet frame for added stability and support. Some homeowners also like the vintage look of the wrap-around style, even if they don’t need the extra support. Wrap-around hinges make a great choice for heavier doors or whenever you want extra stability.
Butt Hinges
The butt hinge is the traditional frame hinge, with two flat plates fixed to a single rod or barrel. A simple, effective hinge design, these are typically inset mounted so only the rod or barrel is visible when the cabinet door is closed.
Pivot Hinges
When you’ve got a cabinet door that needs to be opened towards you at an angle (like a sink front drawer), then you’ll need a pivot hinge. Pivot hinges allow a door to rotate on a fixed point, and are most often used for door applications, like our InvisiDoor products.
Blum Hinges
Blum develops top-of-the line hinges with innovative designs. These are the hinges for anyone who wants premium quality and performance from their cabinet hardware. We offer Blum hinges with many of our kitchen and bathroom cabinet lines, or you can buy your Blum hinges separately if you’re updating your existing cabinets.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Cabinet Hinges
Now that you know your options, there are specific factors to consider to narrow down your hinge choices to find the right ones for you.
- Material & Finish. We offer durable metal cabinet hinges in several finishes. The finish you choose should complement your design aesthetic. Since there’s such a wide range in tastes, we have a wide range of finishes: polished chrome and brass, brushed and satin nickel, antiqued brass, weathered nickel, black, oil-rubbed bronze, burnished nickel, zinc, and more.
- Hinge Functionality. Do you want quiet cabinet doors or doors that stay closed once you shut them? Look at soft-close and self-close features.
- Door Thickness & Size. Make sure you’re buying a hinge that can handle the weight and depth of the cabinet door. If your doors are thicker or heavier than regular doors, consider wrap-around hinges. Whatever style hinge you choose, double check its specifications to make sure it will accommodate the thickness and weight of your cabinet door.
- Mounting Style. Whether or not you want your hinges to be visible when the doors are closed determines the mounting style. Concealed hinges are completely hidden, while butt hinges expose only the center barrel rod. Other hinge types are mounted on the surface of the doors and cabinet frame, and can add a decorative touch.
- Adjustment Features. Several hinges come with an adjustability feature, so you can make necessary tweaks for the perfect fit. If this option is important to you, or if you want this ability to adjust the hinge in the future, make sure you’re purchasing new hinges with this feature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabinet Hinges
Which hinges are best for kitchen cabinets?
High-quality cabinet hinges, like all the ones we sell, are your best choice, but there’s no one type of hinge that’s better for kitchen cabinets than the others. The best hinges for your kitchen cabinets depend on the features you want from them.
How do I know what type of hinge I need?
You’ll know what type of cabinet hinge you need by choosing the features you want (style, functionality, material, mounting style), then getting the appropriate measurements for overlay (if you’re using overlay hinges) and thickness. We always recommend you contacting our cabinet experts at (800) 882-0009 if you need help with measurements or styles!
Can you replace old cabinet hinges?
Absolutely! If you want to update or replace your old hinges, switching them out is a straightforward process.
Are all cabinet hinges standard sizes? And how do I know what size hinge I need?
There’s not a standard hinge size although the most common sizes are 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch. Typically, the thinner and lighter the door, the smaller the hinge; the larger and heavier the door, the bigger the hinge. If you aren’t sure, take an existing hinge into a local hardware store to identify the proper size.
Maintenance Tips for Hinges
To give your hinges a long life, maintain them with regular cleaning and lubrication if they get sticky or squeaky. Gentle household cleaners like vinegar-water solutions work well—just give your cabinet hinges a spritz of the cleaner, then rub down with a clean cloth. If your hinges are metal, a general metal lubricant from your local hardware store works well, or rub them with a little olive oil.
Buying Your Cabinet Hinges from Custom Service Hardware
Cabinet hinges have come a long way over the years, and we’re proud to have so many options with different functions and finishes. Choosing the right ones for your kitchen or bathrooms will not only create a pleasing look to your cabinetry, they’ll also improve the function and flow of your space. We’re happy to help you pick out the perfect cabinet hinges for your remodel or new cabinets—just give us a call at (800) 882-0009.