Hinges are an important part of doors and windows that has a function to attach a door to its frame, and are the pivot point for opening and closing the door. Therefore, when you choose a hinge, make sure to look at the quality and condition of the hinge. There are many types of hinges that you can choose according to your needs.
The difference between the hinges lies in the material used and also the size of the hinge. Right selection of hinge and proper installation will make hinge function optimally. Mistakes in choosing hinges often cause damage, such as doors that can easily be damaged or even collapsed.
There are several ways you can consider to get a high quality hinges. For those of you who are going to buy hinges, you need to know this tips that can help you get a high quality hinges.
1. Paying Attention to the Door or Window Material Used
You have to pay attention to the door or window material that will be used. Materials that commonly used are wood, plastic, glass and aluminum. When you are choosing a wooden door or window, make sure to choose strong and sturdy hinges.
This is because the wood has more weight than other materials. If the door or window you use is made of aluminum or plastic, then you can choose a hinge that is lightweight but sturdy.
2. Paying Attention to the Load on the Door
You must be able to adjust the weight that the door will carry. Doors with a size of about 210 cm usually only need 2 hinges which are located at the top and bottom ends.
However, when you use a door with a size of more than 220 cm, you can use 3 or more hinges. The bigger your door is, the more you need hinges to make the door open and close optimally. The best distance between hinges is about 5 inches.
3. Hinge Material
When you buy hinges, the most important thing is to pay attention to the material of the hinges. Some of the materials used to make the hinges are best quality but some materials are often easily damaged.
You need to pay attention to the hinge material so that it functions properly and can lasts for a long time. There are several materials that are often used to make hinges, such as steel, brass, chrome, and stainless steel.
For those of you who will use hinges for damp areas such as bathrooms, try to choose hinges made of stainless steel. You need to do this because it will prevent the hinges from rusting.
4. Knowing the Direction of the Opening
The direction of door and window openings is also something that needs to be considered when choosing hinges. When you choose a door with unidirectional opening, you can choose the butterfly hinge. However, for those of you who choose doors with alternating opening directions, you should use pivot type hinges.
Another type of opening is to return the door so that it closes again after use, so you need to use hinges that are planted directly into the floor. This type of hinge is often used for shops or public buildings that are often passed by people.
5. Pay Attention to the Size of the Hinge
When you are going to buy hinges make sure to choose the right size. There are various sizes that are often used ranging from 3 cm to 6 cm. The difference in the size of the hinges depends on the material of the door and also the width of the door.
You also have to pay attention to the brand because each hinge brand has a different size. You can adjust the hinge brand to the size you want.
6. Choosing the Right Hinge Type
As you know, there are several types of hinges to choose from. Mistakes in choosing hinges will affect the performance and function of the door or window that will be used.
There are 2 types of hinges that are quite commonly used by the public.
- The first is anti-friction hinges that use bearings to suppress friction. This hinge is equipped with bearings that is anti-squeak when it comes in contact with the floor or wall. This hinge is perfect for doors equipped with closers.
- Other types of hinges differ in shape and function, such as butterfly hinges, panel hinges, H hinges, piano hinges, spoon hinges, bent hinges, straight hinges, cowboy hinges, lathe hinges, and warehouse hinges. You can choose all types of hinges according to their function, for example the butterfly hinges which are often used for ordinary doors or household doors. This simple hinge consists of several sizes and is generally made of aluminum or stainless steel.
The review above describes the best ways you can choose a good hinge. By choosing the right hinges, the doors and windows will continue to function smoothly and can be used for a long time.