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Sep 17, 2018
The Lowdown On European Hinges
European hinges are concealed hinges that you will see used on frameless cabinets made in Europe and also with face frame cabinets. Sometimes you will hear European hinges referred to as “invisible hinges” because you cannot see them from the outside.
Concealed hinges are becoming more and more popular these days and are replacing traditional hinges very quickly. A lot of interior designers really like the concealed European hinges as they provide a sleek look that is very neat for doors and cabinets. It is easy to adjust these hinges so that the door will open smoothly and close automatically.
European Hinges are Cost Effective
Many people like the concealed hinges from Europe as they provide a lot of benefits and are more cost effective than traditional door hinges. It is very easy to install concealed hinges and you can use these hinges for a lot of different applications.
Examples of the use of concealed hinges are:
In fact there are a whole host of applications for European hinges.
How many Concealed Hinges do you need?
When you purchase concealed hinges you need to take a few things into consideration. You will need to work out the number of hinges that you need for the door(s) where you want to install the European hinges. To work out the correct number of hinges required you have to look at the size of the door where you want to install them.
The basic rule here is that the larger the door you have the more concealed hinges you will need. For some of the larger cabinet doors you may have to purchase five European hinges. To install the hinges you will need to make holes in the door that are of the same diameter as the hinges so that there will be a perfect fit. Don’t make too large a hole for the hinges.
Usually the best diameter holes to cut for European concealed hinges are 26 millimeters, 35 millimeters or 40 millimeters. Obviously you need to check which size is right for your hinges before you make the holes.
What type of European Hinges?
You need to make a choice of concealed hinge for your doors and cabinets. There are clip on hinges as well as slide on hinges available. If you go for the clip on hinges then you will need to position them on the mounting plate initially and then secure them with screws. For slide on hinges you have to line up the hinge and then push it on to the mounting plate.
To make the right choice of concealed hinge you need to take the cabinet type into consideration. If you have frame less cabinets then the concealed hinges will mount on the inside. With face frame cabinets you have to mount the hinges on the face frame.
Originally European hinges were made for frame less cabinets but now you can get them for face frame cabinets too. You can also choose semi concealed hinges which might be the right option for you. Sometimes known as knife hinges, these have a small slot in either the top or the bottom of the hinge.
There are actually a few types of concealed hinges. There are free swing hinges, soft close hinges and self close hinges. Free swing hinges are self explanatory. A soft close hinge has dampers which will slow the closing of the door finally pulling it closed. With self close hinges they will pull the door so that it closes automatically.
We can help you with your European Hinges
We have a great deal of experience and knowhow when it comes to European hinges. Contact us now and we will help you choose the right hinges for your cabinets. We have a full range of concealed hinges available.