The Complete Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Hinges

The humble kitchen cabinet hinge plays a crucial role in ensuring your cabinet doors function properly and provide easy access to stored items. With so many hinge types available, it's important to understand the key differences and choose the right option for your specific cabinet style, door size, and functional needs.

Whether you're building new cabinets or replacing old hinges, use this guide to make an informed hinge selection that perfectly fits your kitchen.

Hinge Basics: How Cabinet Hinges Work

At their core, cabinet hinges are simple mechanical devices that connect cabinet doors to the cabinet frame. They consist of two flat rectangular metal leaves joined by a cylindrical pin or knuckle that allows pivoting movement.

The knuckle fits into aligned holes drilled into the cabinet frame and door, secured by small screws. When the door is closed, the hinge leaves sit flush against the frame and door. As the door is opened, the hinge knuckle pivots in its housing, allowing the door to swing open at the desired angle.

Most standard cabinet hinges have a 270-degree swing radius, meaning the door can open wide for full access to the contents. Specialty hinges offer different swing angles and opening capabilities tailored to particular cabinet configurations.

Key Hinge Components

Cabinet hinges have three main parts:

• Leaves - The two flat rectangular plates that attach to the cabinet and door.
• Knuckle - The cylindrical pin that joins the leaves and enables pivoting.
• Hinge cup - The round housing that holds the knuckle and allows it to pivot smoothly.

Additional components like mounting plates and screws are used to securely install the hinge on cabinets and doors.

Opening Angle and Degree of Swing

The opening angle or degree of swing refers to the radius of rotational movement allowed by the hinge. Most standard cabinet hinges have a 270-degree opening radius, enabling the door to swing open wide for complete access.

170-degree hinges allow the door to open to just less than a right angle, while 90-degree hinges restrict opening to only a quarter turn. The application determines which degree of swing is ideal.

Standard vs. Specialty Hinges

Standard hinges offer basic functionality for most general cabinetry needs. Specialty hinges provide unique benefits tailored to particular cabinet types, locations, and door materials. This includes soft-close hinges, self-closing hinges, concealed hinges, and hinges designed for corner cabinets.

Measuring Existing Cabinet Hinges

When replacing worn or damaged hinges, start by carefully examining the existing hardware. Note where and how the hinges are mounted to accurately identify the hinge style. This will ensure you select suitable replacement hinges.

Determine Hinge Type

Look at where the hinge leaves connect--either on the cabinet frame face or edge, or within the cabinet interior and door. Check if the door lays flush against the cabinet or overlaps slightly. This will indicate if you have inset or overlay hinges.

Measure Dimensions

Use a ruler to measure the hinge leaf thickness and dimensions. This will help match the size of replacement hinges. Also measure door overlay or inset distance.

Check Opening Angle

Note the degree of hinge swing. Test the maximum opening angle by opening the door fully. Compare to hinge specs when selecting replacements.

Examine Holes

Count the screw holes on each hinge leaf plate. Note their location pattern and spacing. Replicating this hinge cup and screw hole placement is key for seamless replacement.

Cabinet Hinge Mounting Options

The way cabinet hinges mount onto the cabinet frame and door can vary. Hinge selection depends on your cabinet construction and preferences.

Face Frame vs. Frameless Cabinets

The most common hinges for traditional face frame cabinets attach to the front frame face. Frameless cabinets instead have drilling plates attached inside to mount hinges.

Surface Mount vs. Mortise Mount

Surface-mounted hinges attach to the cabinet frame front using screws driven into the wood frame. Mortise mount hinges recess into holes mortised into the cabinet wood.

Inset vs. Overlay Hinges

Inset hinges mount inside the cabinet box and door for a seamless interior look. Overlay hinges allow the door to slightly overlap the cabinet frame.

Clip-On vs. Slide-On Mounting Plates

Some hinges feature clip-on plates that snap onto the cabinet edge. Others have slide-on plates that slip into slots routed into the cabinet frame.

Hinge Hole Patterns

Most hinges utilize symmetrical hole patterns that allow you to reverse the hinge orientation. Some have unique asymmetric patterns, so hole alignment is critical.

Hinge Types for Face Frame Cabinets

Several hinge options are designed specifically for traditional face frame cabinetry:

Full Overlay Hinges

Full overlay hinges allow the door to completely cover the cabinet frame front. No part of the frame is visible. They attach to the frame front and overlay the outside edge.

Partial Overlay Hinges

Partial overlay hinges sit partially on the frame edge. This exposes a small portion of the frame for a decorative accent.

Inset Hinges

Inset hinges provide a seamless interior look, with doors set flush within the frame. The hinge mounts inside the cabinet box and door.

Concealed Hinges

Concealed hinges hide away inside the cabinet interior, providing a clean, minimalist look. The door rests flush against the frame.

Hinge Types for Frameless Cabinets

Frameless modern cabinet designs require specialized hinge hardware:

110deg Hinges

110 degree hinges allow frameless doors to open just past 90 degrees, avoiding collisions. The limited swing provides access while keeping the door out of walkways.

170deg Hinges

170 degree hinges enable frameless doors to open wider to nearly flush against the cabinet side. This provides full access to stored contents.

Overlay Hinges

Overlay hinges give frameless cabinets a decorative door overlay look without a physical frame. The door slightly overlaps the cabinet edge.

Pocket Hinges

Pocket hinges conceal into a drilled pocket in the cabinet side. When closed, doors appear frameless and hingeless.

Specialty Hinge Types

Unique cabinet configurations call for tailored specialty hinge designs:

Soft-Close Hinges

Soft-close hinges prevent cabinet doors from slamming shut. The mechanism gently buffers and closes the door.

Self-Closing Hinges

Self-closing hinges automatically shut the door from any open position. A spring mechanism returns it to closed position.

Corner Cabinet Hinges

Corner cabinet hinges allow optimal swing radius for doors on angled cabinet corners. This provides full access within the corner.

Decorative Hinges

Ornate, artistic hinges featuring intricate shapes, finishes, and accents provide beautiful visual flair. Popular on display cabinets.

Choosing Cabinet Hinges

Keep these key factors in mind when selecting the best hinges:

Door Size and Weight

Choose hinges capable of handling the door's dimensions and weight. Two hinges adequately support smaller doors up to 36 inches wide. Wider or heavier doors may require three hinges.

Matching Existing Hardware

When replacing hinges, match new hinge size, hole positions, and overlay measurements to existing for a smooth transition.

Overlay vs. Inset Needs

Determine whether an interior inset or overlapping overlay hinge design is preferred. Measure current overlay to identify replacement needs.

Accessory Compatibility

Ensure hinges support integrated soft-close, self-close, and other mechanisms if desired. Not all accept attachments.

Aesthetic Preferences

Finish, decorative styling, and exposed vs. concealed mounting affects appearance. Choose hinges aligning with your desired style.

Replacing Old Cabinet Hinges

Follow proper technique when replacing worn hinges to avoid damages:

Fill Old Mortises

Fill old hinge mortises flush to create a smooth surface for new hinges. This prevents uneven door alignment.

Patch Screw Holes

Fill old screw holes with wood putty before installing new hinges. This provides a solid mounting surface.

Install Drawer Front Hinges Properly

Use hinges designed to handle weight of drawer front. Position in line with drawer glide height to avoid sagging.

Hinge Terminology

Handy definitions of common cabinet hinge terms:

• Cup - Round housing that holds hinge knuckle and enables pivot motion.
• Overlay - Door surface extends over cabinet frame.
• Inset - Door fits flush within cabinet frame.
• Mortise - Square recess routed into cabinet frame to recess hinge.
• Leaf - Flat plate component attached to cabinet and door.

Installing the correct hinges keeps your kitchen cabinets functioning smoothly for years. Now that you know the inner workings of the many kitchen cabinet hinge types available, you can make informed selections tailored to your specific cabinet configurations and functional needs. Follow proper measuring techniques when replacing old hinges. And don't be afraid to call in a cabinetmaker if you need help identifying existing hardware or installing new hinges.

With this comprehensive hinge knowledge, you can maintain kitchen cabinets that open easily and provide full access for maximum storage convenience. Understanding the complete workings of cabinet hinges helps ensure you have the right hardware for the job.