A Buyer’s Guide To Different Types Of Hinges | Online Door Store
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Understanding different hinge types helps you choose the right one for your door. The five main types of hinges are butt hinges, fire-rated hinges, rising butt hinges, decorative hinges, and heavy-duty hinges. Each type does a specific job, from basic door hanging to fire safety.
Key Takeaways
- Ball-bearing hinges last longer and make doors open smoothly
- Fire-rated hinges stop fire from spreading between rooms
- Rising and heavy-duty hinges fix problems like uneven floors and heavy doors
- Different finishes let you match your door handles and hardware
Hinge Types at a Glance
| Hinge Type | Key Features | Best For | Weight Capacity |
| Butt Hinges | Basic support, easy to install | Standard internal doors | Up to 80kg |
| Ball-Bearing Hinges | Smooth, quiet operation; long-lasting | Heavy or high-use doors | Up to 120kg |
| Fire-Rated Hinges | Fire safety compliance, withstands high heat | Fire doors, commercial use | Varies by specification |
| Rising Butt Hinges | Lifts door when opened, avoids floor scraping | Uneven floors, carpets, and rugs | Up to 70kg |
| Decorative Hinges | Stylish finishes, reliable support | Heritage doors, aesthetic interiors | Up to 80kg |
| Heavy-Duty Hinges | Thick steel plates, rust-resistant, durable | External doors, solid wood, high traffic areas | Over 120kg |
| Concealed Hinges | Hidden design, adjustable, 180-degree opening | Modern interiors, cabinets, fire doors | Up to 40kg per pair |
Understanding Door Hinge Types
Butt Hinges
Butt hinges are the most common type for home doors. They consist of two metal plates that connect your door to the frame and support up to 80kg - enough for most doors in your house.
Ball-bearing butt hinges include small steel balls between the hinge plates. This simple addition makes doors open more smoothly and quietly than standard butt hinges, and they last much longer too.
Our Atlantic Ball-Bearing hinges come in two popular styles:
- Polished chrome set (£9.00) for a bright, clean look
- Matt black set (£11.00) for modern homes
Both include:
- Tough steel construction
- Smooth ball bearings
- All fixing screws
- Ready-to-fit holes
For heavier doors or busy entrances, use our 4” x 3” size. These bigger hinges stop doors from dropping and work best on external doors and busy doorways.
Fire-Rated Hinges
Fire-rated hinges keep fire doors working for up to 60 minutes during a fire. These special Grade 13 hinges survive temperatures over 900°C and support the extra weight of fire doors.
Our matt gun metal hinges (£22.00) combine safety with style. If you want something that lasts even longer, try our satin stainless steel hinges (£12.00). Every fire-rated hinge includes:
- Safety certification for UK buildings
- Thick 3mm steel plates
- Special washers for smooth opening
- Self-lubricating parts
- Extra-strong construction
You need three fire-rated hinges on each fire door.
Rising Butt Hinges
Rising butt hinges lift your door up when you open it. This stops the door from catching on carpets or uneven floors. The hinge lifts the door by up to 10mm - about the thickness of your little finger.
These hinges help with:
- Doors that scrape on carpets
- Uneven wooden floors
- Tilted door frames
- Thick rugs or mats
- Doors in old houses
Each rising hinge can hold doors up to 70kg. You can adjust how much the door lifts, and the hinges come in different finishes to match your other door hardware.
Decorative Hinges
Decorative hinges enhance your door’s appearance while providing reliable support for everyday use. They’re built to hold up to 80kg while adding period-appropriate style to any door.
Choose from our most popular finishes:
- Antique brass finish (£19.00) matches traditional Victorian door furniture
- Urban bronze (£22.00) suits country-style and rustic homes
- Black nickel (£20.00) offers a modern take on classic brass
- Matt black (£19.00) provides a sleek, contemporary look
These hinges work especially well with period doors and heritage properties where authentic details matter. Each one includes ball bearings for smooth operation and comes with matching screws.
Heavy-Duty Hinges
Heavy-duty hinges hold doors weighing up to 120kg - that’s twice what standard hinges can support. Made from thick stainless steel with hardened screws, these hinges won’t rust or bend even with daily use.
Key features that make these hinges tough:
- Thick 3mm steel plates resist bending
- Grade 8.8 hardened steel screws grip tighter
- Stainless steel fights rust and weather damage
- Extra fixing points spread the weight evenly
These strong features make heavy-duty hinges perfect for external doors, busy entrances, and large solid wood doors where normal hinges might fail.
Concealed Hinges
Concealed hinges disappear from view when your door is closed, creating a clean, modern look. These specialised hinges fit inside your door and frame, making them invisible from both sides.
Our Atlantic AGB Eclipse fire-rated concealed hinges come in different finishes:
- Matt black (£40.00)
- Polished brass (£38.00)
- Satin chrome (£40.00)
- White (£46.00)
The fire rating makes these hinges suitable for fire doors while keeping their hidden design. Always check your door specifications to ensure concealed hinges will work with your setup.
How to Choose the Right Hinges
Start by checking your door’s weight - this tells you the hinge strength you need. Standard butt hinges work for doors under 30kg. Ball-bearing hinges handle up to 80kg. Heavy doors over 80kg need heavy-duty hinges.
Where you put your door matters too. External doors need weather-resistant stainless steel. Bathroom doors should have rust-resistant finishes. Fire doors must use certified Grade 13 hinges. For normal indoor doors, any finish works fine.
Installation Tips for Door Hinges
Good installation makes your hinges last longer. You need a drill, sharp chisel, ruler, spirit level, and template. Mark your hinge spots carefully - 6 inches from the top and 9 inches from the bottom.
Follow these basic steps for better results:
- Cut neat recesses so hinges sit flush
- Drill pilot holes to stop wood splitting
- Fit frame hinges before door hinges
- Use three hinges on tall doors
- Put longer screws in external doors
Test the door after fitting. It should swing smoothly and close properly with no scraping or sticking.
Hinge Maintenance: Keep Them Working
Check these parts every six months:
- Loose or rusty screws
- Squeaky joints
- Rust spots
- Smooth movement
- Gaps between door and frame
Regular checks help you spot problems early, saving money on repairs and replacement.
Clean dust with a dry cloth and oil squeaky spots with 3-in-1 oil. Tighten loose screws right away. If you find serious rust or wear, replace the hinge before it damages your door. For external doors, check more often during wet weather to prevent rust from developing.
Find the Right Hinges With Online Door Store
Ready to find the perfect hinges? Start by measuring your door’s thickness and weight to get the right size and strength. Our product pages show the exact dimensions and weight limits for each hinge type.
Call our experts at 0208 158 6700 from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm. We’ll help you choose the right hinges for your doors and explain fitting details. Need detailed technical advice about fire doors or tricky installations? Ask for our certified door specialist at Online Door Store.
Got specific questions? Email enquiries@onlinedoorstore.co.uk or use our contact form. Send us your door measurements and photos - we’ll recommend the best hinges for your needs.
Order before 10:00am for express shipping if you need your hinges faster. Orders over £750 get free delivery anywhere in the UK.
Shop door hinges now and get your doors working perfectly.
FAQs
What is a mortise hinge?
A mortise hinge sits in a pocket cut into your door and frame. This creates a neater look than surface-mounted hinges and makes your door work better. You’ll find mortise hinges on most modern doors because they’re stronger and last longer.
What is the British standard for hinges?
BS EN 1935 sets safety rules for door hinges in the UK. It tests how strong hinges are and how many times they can open and close. Fire-rated hinges must meet Grade 13 standards to prove they work safely in fires.
How do I know what door hinge I need?
Start by weighing your door - heavier doors need stronger hinges. Then, measure your door’s thickness to get the right size hinge. Think about where you’ll use the door. Bathroom doors need rust-resistant hinges. External doors need weather protection. Fire doors must have Grade 13 fire-rated hinges.
Which hinges make doors most stable?
Ball-bearing hinges give the best stability. They work smoothly and stop doors from dropping, even after years of use. Put three hinges on each door for maximum stability - one near the top, one in the middle, and one near the bottom. Always match the hinge size to your door’s weight.
