When it comes to doors - it all hinges on the hinge! Have you ever considered how a door with bad hinge alignment will make it droop?
Probably not because hinges are substantially less exciting to discuss than the door they’re attached to - but they are incredibly important bits of hardware that make a door function.
While they aren't noticeable and hidden from view, they will make that door open and close.
Whatever door you select for your house, you’ll need hinges – but just how many hinges should there be on a door?
The science behind hinges
Gravity and torque affect a door, so hinges must be placed on the high side, with the top hinge closer to the door and the bottom hinge further away.
The hinges need to be carefully aligned and set plumb so the door can open and swing correctly. The more hinges, the more careful you must be with alignment.
The general rule is that every door should have one hinge every 2286 mm – that’s 30 inches.
How many hinges on a door?
Exterior doors require at least three hinges - standard practice in Australia. Three hinges will prevent less warp and evenly spread the weight.
The standard door size in Australia is 2040 X 820mm X 35mm. External or entrance doors are heavier than internal ones, so strong hinges are needed to prevent them from sagging. Three hinges are also beneficial for security purposes and are harder to force for burglars.
Tall doors that are 2,200 mm in height or wide doors greater than 1,000 mm will require an extra hinge. On industrial doors, you will also find four.
Two hinges are more common among lightweight interior doors with hollow cores, although the general preference is still three.
What type of hinge is most common?
Hinges join two parts of an item together while allowing them to rotate relative to each other.
The most common type of hinge is a ball-bearing butt hinge, also known as a ball race comprising two halves.
One part of the hinge is attached to the frame and the other to the door with holes for screws or bolts. They sink into the door and frame - when closed, only the hinge ‘knuckle’ is on display. The hinge has holes for screws or bolts.
What about the spacing of the hinges?
Ideally, the top of the door to the top hinge should be 150mm (5.90 inches) - and the bottom hinge should be 230mm (9.05 inches) to the base of the door. The other hinge should be positioned midway between the two and spaced equally to keep the door straight.
For perfect alignment, measurements for your hinges must be the same on the door and frame.
Why not visit the experts at Door Stop for all your hardware requirements? Door hinges and handles are crucial components of everyday doors, so you need to trust the door experts.
We have two showrooms in Joondalup and Osborne Park. Browse our collection on the website and choose your next entrance, internal bi-fold, pivot, or patio door for your home.
