They are small. They are used every day. And when they don’t match a room’s décor, they can really stand out. No, they are not cabinet knobs. They are hinges. First used in 1600 BC. C., have increased almost ten times the strength of man and are perhaps one of the most important inventions for everyday use.
Available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and colors, hinges not only make your life easier, but also complete a room. The only way to get a complete idea of what’s out there in the world of hinges is to do some shopping online. Sure you could go to all the hardware stores in your neighborhood and search through endless boxes that may contain only a few hinges when you need twenty or more. But wouldn’t you rather sit at home and find what you need at the click of a button? If you do.
There are many styles of hinges to choose from and what you need will depend on the type of door you are hanging. There are hinges for residential doors, gates, screen doors and cabinet doors. Then there are three types of cabinet doors; with lip, flush and overlapping. Butt hinges are the most common type of hinge. They consist of two flaps with screw holes connected by a pin and can be used on any door. The barrette can be finished off with balls or finials for a decorative touch. T hinges are shaped like the letter T and are used on garage doors and hood lids. Pivot hinges are designed for overlay cabinet doors or doors that rest on the door frame. Butterfly hinges, which are usually both decorative and functional, are used on flush doors or doors that rest within the frame. One of the most popular hinge types is the spring hinge. Also called a self-closing hinge, a small spring inside allows the door to close on its own.
In addition to the hinge type, they also come in a wide variety of finishes. If you like the vintage look, go for antique copper, brass, or pewter. Keep it simple with black nickel, matte black, or white. If you like a modern European look, opt for polished chrome or satin nickel. Recreate your grandmother’s kitchen from the 1950s with oil rubbed bronze hinges or go for something different with red bronze. Whichever finish you choose, it’s important that it matches your motif. You can even match the hinges to cabinet knobs and drawer pulls.
Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen and need all new hinges or just replacing the hinges on a cabinet, take a moment to admire the strength they provide. Hinges are generally eight to ten times stronger than the task they are given. So the next time you open a door or close a cabinet, think about how heavy that door would be without the hinges to open or close it for you. Once you do this, you’ll never take hinges for granted again.