How to find the right Door Hinges AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Door Hinges
- Size
- 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 inch for most interior doors; 4 x 4 inch or larger for exterior and heavy doors; match the existing size exactly when replacing Leaf size has to match the existing mortises in the door and jamb.
- Corner radius
- Square, 1/4 inch radius or 5/8 inch radius; match the existing mortise The wrong corner style leaves a gap or won't seat.
- Bearing
- Ball-bearing hinges for heavy, solid-core or high-traffic doors Plain-bearing hinges wear and sag under heavy doors.
- Count
- Three hinges for standard-height doors; add one for taller or heavier doors Two hinges let doors warp and sag.
- Security pin
- Non-removable pin (NRP) on outswing exterior doors On an outswing door the hinge pins are outside and can be pulled.
- Spring hinges
- Use self-closing spring hinges where code requires self-closing, such as many garage-to-house doors They close the door without a separate closer.
Brands that matter
- Hager: Commercial and residential hinges, broad size range.
- McKinney: Commercial-grade ball-bearing hinges.
- Stanley: Widely available residential hinges.
- National Hardware: Residential hinges, including spring hinges.
- Baldwin: Decorative solid-brass hinges.
- Emtek: Decorative finishes to match its locksets.
What to avoid
- Mixing hinge radii on one door
- Short jamb screws on exterior doors; use at least one long screw per hinge into the stud
- Thin stamped hinges on solid-core doors
Questions
How do I tell the radius?
Look at the hinge corners. A coin-sized curve is 1/4 inch, a dime-to-nickel-sized curve is about 5/8 inch, and sharp corners are square.