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Wardrobe hinges serve a really important purpose in your wardrobes – to enable a convenient door’s opening and closing mechanism for users. Several hinge types, varying in their styles and features, are used to cater to different wardrobe-related requirements.
Catering to different materials and furniture types, there are around 21 different wardrobe hinge types that we’re going to discuss here. Those considering installing hinges can consider this article as a guide to find the best hinges for their wardrobes.
As the name suggests, soft-closing hinges softly close the door, suppressing any noise. All you need is to give a little push, and the soft-closing hinge will glide gently for closing, after reaching a specific position. The vacuum between the two hinges, i.e., while gliding freely and then gently (in slow pace after reaching a specific position), is developed with hydraulics for a seamless, noise-free closure.
Somewhat similar to soft-closing, self-closing hinges comprise the hydraulic self-closing system that enables the door to close on its own by harnessing its weight. Typically used in gym lockers, self-closing hinges come in the spring-loaded variety. This type involves a spring that uncoils upon opening the door and then recoils when the pressure against the door is released.
As the name implies, hidden hinges are connected to the internal side of the door and frame and they cannot be seen from the outside. This will give the appearance that your wardrobe door is floating on the frame’s face. You can guess that the major advantage of this hinge type is that your wardrobe would look contemporary, without any mechanical gears to show.
Perfect for kitchen wardrobes, demountable hinge types can be easily cleaned and removed without involving any hardware. These hinges can be found in single and double demountable varieties. The single demountable hinges can be installed onto the wardrobe frame, with their other ends fitting into a slit on the cabinet door. This mechanism allows you to easily slip off the door without removing the hinge. The double demountable type on the other hand, is mounted on the door’s opening without any screws, making installation, repair, as well as the replacement, a piece of cake.
Serving eye-catching looks, decorative hinges prove true to their name while being full-on practical as well. The decorative hinge is mounted on the outside while the real hinge is located inside to serve the functional purpose.
If you like a hinge-free appearance for your wardrobe door, then the barrel hinges can be at your top list. Available in numerous depths and diameters, these hinges are covered from the external sides of the cabinet doors and can easily move the lid up and down.
Used for numerous types of wardrobe and cabinet doors, butt hinges come with two sides, both fixed to a joint, enabling their easy movement. One side is attached to the wardrobe’s frame, while the other, connected to the door. Durable and often easy to install, the joints of butt hinges can be viewed from the outside so you will need a varnish that seamlessly integrate them with overall wardrobe frame.
The hinge in this type is connected to the face frame with the door wing, which is attached to the door’s back. Also called semi-concealed hinges, they are often used for conventional-style cabinets with small frames. Upon closing the door, the hinge becomes half-visible, with only the frame wing showing.
A little close to butt hinges in mechanism, flush hinges are connected to the internal side of the wardrobe frame and door. The difference is that in flush hinges, the smaller hinge closes into the larger one. Moreover, you don’t need to create a joint to install them, unlike in butt hinges. Flush hinges take up less space, but you can view them from the outside. Therefore, you need to choose an appropriate finish to properly cover these hinges.
This is the type of wardrobe door hinge in which the door fully covers the face frame of the wardrobe upon closing. This type of mechanism allows hinges to seamlessly blend into the frame so you cannot view them from the outside when the door is closed. Full overlay concealed hinges are connected to the door, either to the internal side of the frameless wardrobes or to the face frame.
Especially designed for a partial overlay wardrobe door, this type comes with two doors, connecting at the center, but sharing the same wall or partition. The half overlay hinges are attached to the inside of the doors, and they can open near each other without hitting. Such hinges are usually small as they will need to fit on the same partition or wall that is shared by two doors.
Inset hinges consist of two sides, with one narrower side attached to the door frame while the other, wider side, connected to the internal side of the door. The narrower part is observable, so it needs to be decorative or covered with paint. These hinges come in several designs and finishes to complement the wardrobe’s design. Mostly, these hinges are considered ideal for orthodox wooden wardrobes because they allow the door frame to be fully visible.
No, not the concealed hinges. Invisible hinges have been given the name because of their extra small size, making them hard to observe even when the door is opened. It is attached to the internal side of the wardrobe door, taking up very little space.
If you’ve wardrobes with doors jutting out of the frame, then offset hinges are the perfect option. Also called expendable or swing clear hinges, the pivot point of the door in this type is moved away from the frame, allowing the doorway to widen by two inches and providing extra space for accessibility. The widened space makes this hinge type ideal for relatively thicker cabinet doors, as it can prevent them from bumping into the frame while opening. Offset hinges are connected to the external side of the wardrobe doors and come in different styles and finishes to match different door designs.
Mostly used for lower wardrobes, pivot hinges are installed on the top and base parts of the wardrobe doors. The door consists of a piece that humps out slightly, but fits securely into the inset pieces, to allow easy swing. This hinge mechanism allows the door to revolve around a middle axis, usually at the top and bottom parts, rather than on the side like conventional butt hinges. This design offers a seamless, effortless movement, particularly for large or heavy doors.
With long wings looking like straps, strap hinges are enfolded around the conjunction point of the door and frame. Because they are installed on the external sides of doors, these hinges are available in several colours, shapes, and even sizes to match your wardrobe door’s weight.
Also called frameless door hinges, they are mounted on the wardrobe doors and cabinet frames, allowing the door to swing without striking the frame. You can usually adjust and install them easily without any joints, making them a popular hinge type for several wardrobe doors.
Not every hinge is for every wardrobe. Therefore, you need to consider some factors for purchasing the right hinges for your unique wardrobes. Here’s how to check:
The wardrobe door’s weight is a big factor to consider while purchasing hinges. The heavier the door, the stronger the hinges would be required to support that much load and to prevent sagging over time.
Another factor is the material. The material of hinges should match the texture and outlook of your wardrobe door. The most common and popular ones include zinc, alloy, stainless steel, and brass. Remember, aesthetics is a factor to consider, but longevity and robustness should be prioritised.
How you want your wardrobe doors to move and function is another big factor to consider. Whether you want a limited range of movement or complete swing open would determine your hinge choice. To determine what type of hinges would be right for your wardrobe doors, consider your room’s available space and how the doors will harmonise with other fixtures or furniture.
This detailed guide on wardrobe door hinges will help you shop for the best choice. But if you need to buy wardrobes, then Fitted Bedroom Wardrobes has got you covered here as well. You can go through our assorted options here to choose your favourite wardrobes with hinges of your choice – Engineered to Glide, Designed to Impress!
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