Which Door Hinges Do You Need?

Strong and durable types of door hinges are essential for the smooth operation of the doors in your home. But which ones should you choose?

T Hinges/Strap Hinges

These are hinges with a long strap. The hinge part is fitted onto the stationary frame whilst the strap part is fixed to the moving door. These hinges are traditionally used on ledge and brace doors. Historically, the strap part of the hinge would hold the boards in place. With modern ledge and brace doors, the strap part of the hinge is now a decorative feature rather than a functional one.

See our range of hand forged T Hinges available in a range of sizes in Black Beeswax or Rustic Pewter with a choice of two different styles: Penny End or Arrow End.

door hinges types and types of door hinges

If you need T Hinges for outdoor use, we have our Tudor Gate Hinges from our Garden Gate Hardware collection. These hinges are seocifically designed for external use and are made from cast iron with a hardwearing UV and rust resistant black powder coating.

Tudor Gate Hinges | Black Cast Iron Garden Gate Hardware

Piano/Continuous Hinges

This type of hinge runs the entire length of the door, panel or box. They are manufactured with or without holes and come in various pin diameters, knuckle lengths and thicknesses. A Piano Hinge adds strength and stability to furniture that gets a lot of use and easily bears the weight of heavy lids and doors. It is made of metal such as stainless steel or brass with closely spaced screws and it can be concealed on the underside or back of an object.

types of hinges for doors

Butterfly/Dovetail Hinges

A Butterfly Hinge is ideal for cupboards or smaller doors. This particular design is suitable for applications where the hinge will be visible. The precise shape of a Butterfly Hinge can vary by manufacturer but it tends to look like the wings of a butterfly, spreading from the centre pin. Ornamental finishes may include a variety of textures, scrollwork or embossing. Some dovetail hinges are finished in enamel to leave a coloured appearance.

Our hand forged butterfly hinges are available as half or full butterflies in Black Beeswax and Rustic Pewter.

Pivot Hinges

A hinge with a short fixed shaft or pin upon which a part rotates or swings, most commonly used for cabinet doors.

Flag Hinges

A Flag Hinge can be taken apart with a fixed pin on one leaf. They could spin a full 360 degrees around the pin; they are manufactured in a right hand and a left hand configuration.

H Hinges

Shaped like the letter, small H hinges tend to be used for cabinet hinges, whilst larger hinges are ideal for larger cupboards or wardrobe doors.

Our Hand forged H Hinges are available in two sizes in Black Beeswax and Rustic Pewter.

HL Hinges

Large HL hinges were common for passageway doors and closet doors in the 17th, 18th and even 19th centuries. On taller doors, the previously mentioned H hinges were occasionally used in the middle alongside the HL hinges.

Our HL hinges are available in 3 sizes in Black Beeswax and Rustic Pewter.

Butt Hinges

These are the hinges most often used in homes with panelled doors. One side of the hinge is fitted onto the door frame and the other onto the inside edge of the door. Most residential hinges are made of steel although hinges for exterior doors are often made of brass or stainless steel to prevent corrosion.

Our butt hinges are available in a range of styles and finishes and can be found HERE.

Double Phosphor Butt Hinges

Case Hinges

Case Hinges are similar to a Butt Hinge. However, they usually have more of a decorative nature and are most commonly used on suitcases, briefcases etc.