How to Fit Hinges

By Martin Hart on Thu 05 March 2020

Previously on this blog we looked at precisely what you need to do to perfectly countersink a screw – it’s a lost art, after all, in some sections of society. We’re going to continue our how-to guide now with studying exactly what you need to do, the steps you need to take, to install hinges to your doors and cupboards.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you’ve got the right hinges for the job. There are tons of different types of hinges. There are those classics we see on doors – those are generally butt hinges, to ones tailor-made for glass cabinets and concealed hinges, which are placed on furniture fittings and designed to be, well, concealed when not in use.

Ok, so you’ve got your hinge. Nice one! Now what you’ll want to do is place your hinges in the right positions. And you’ll want to be precise about it or they’re not going to work as anything other than interesting additions to a door that doesn’t open. The lower hinge should sit around 10 inches from the bottom of the door; the upper hinge will be placed about 5 inches from the top. If your door’s heavier than usual, you may need a third hinge which should be located at the exact centre of the door. You want this to be accurate, so grab your tape measure and mark down where the hinges are going to sit on both the door frame and the door itself.

Next, get a pencil. Trace around the hinge on both frame and door, noting, too, the depth of the hinge itself. Once you’re certain that everything’s in place, use a knife to score the outline of the hinge. You’ll thank yourself for doing this as you move on to the next step.

Cut the mortise. It might sound like a bad innuendo, but what it actually means is that you’re going to cut out the wood of the jamb – or the vertical portion of the door frame – where the hinge will sit. Use a well-maintained chisel and hammer for the job – the last thing you’ll want is a blunt chisel, as this’ll make your job so much more difficult. By slicing the chisel gently along the jamb, you’ll essentially strip away the wood from the area.

Next up, the screws! Pop the hinge into the freshly cut hole on the jamb, and mark down where the screws will fit with a pencil. Do the same on the door itself. Then take a screwdriver to the markings, and make your pilot holes – after that, simply keep the hinge in place and screw in each of the individual screws. Make them as secure you possibly can, in both the jamb and the door.

Now you’ll want to manoeuvre the door into place, and keep it steady. With the two sides of the hinge – one on the doorjamb and one on the door – line them up. Make sure everything’s fitted securely, and everything is accurately in position. Now all you’ll need to do is slip the hinge pins into the slot at the top of each hinge.

The final procedure is, perhaps, the most satisfying. Simply test the door. Swing it back and forth, as if in normal usage. All working? Awesome. You’ve successful fitted hinges to your door.

Here at Hart Wholesale, we know how important it is to have your home in full working order – from the hinges and drawer runners to the veneers and wardrobe fittings. That’s why we’re premium manufacturers and suppliers of Blum hinges and drawers, which, thanks to their outstanding designs, offer superior strength and expert engineering. For more information about our products, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01702 614 044 or email webord@hart-wholesale.com and our pro team will be more than happy to assist with your enquiries.

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