What factors should be considered when choosing hinges?

 As well as your door weight, height and thickness, there are other things you need to take into consideration when choosing hinges.

1. The material of your hinges: Does the finish match the rest of the furniture on your door?

2. Fire resisting requirements: Some washered hinges (with washers between the knuckle joints) are made using nylon washers. As the melting point of nylon is low, these would not be suitable for use on fire doors. Also some hinge materials such as aluminium have a low melting point. If the hinges are being used on fire doors you need to check they have a fire certificate.

3. Corrosion resisting requirements: It should be noted that bright zinc plating or electro brass plating are for internal use only and are unsuitable for situations where moisture comes into contact with the plated surface. Alternatively solid brass or stainless steel hinges may be more appropriate where there is moisture.

4. Angle of opening: Do you need projection or parliament hinges for an opening of up to 180°?

5. Handing: Some hinges i.e. rising butts which can be used to raise the door to clear a carpet, are handed. You need to know whether you need left or right hand.

6. Are there door closers fitted to the door? If so you need to increase the weight of the door by 20% when selecting your hinges. If the door closer has a back check action you need to double the door weight to ensure the hinges you choose are strong enough to overcome the extra pressure exerted on them by the resistance of the closer.