Just about everyone knows how vital their doors are to the security of their home or office. A strong door is a deterrent for 99% of the intruders who are often looking for easy targets. While investing in a sturdy door is essential, it is just as important to make sure that the door is mounted and installed correctly, using the right door hinge. Which brings us to the question, which are the best door hinges out there?
While there are quite a few different door hinges types, you can’t take the one-size-fits-all approach. If anything depending on the size, type and how the door is being mounted, you will want to choose a hinge that works accordingly.
Since we know how important it is to find the right hinge for your door, we’ve put together this short guide to help you find the best one.
How Will the Hinge Be Used?
It would be best if you found a hinge that fits your use case the best. Some hinges are better for commercial doors than they are for domestic doors. You also have the exterior versus interior door hinge.
The important thing is to narrow down the hinges to the types that are best suited to your door. You can also ask a professional to look at your door and advice on what type of hinge will work best.
Cost is Another Important Factor
Often people confuse price with quality, when in fact, that’s not always the case. Sure high-quality door hinges are, on average, more expensive than lower-quality ones. You can be looking at paying anywhere from $1 to $100. The price mainly reflects the material and the finishing of the hinge.
If you have spent a lot on the new door, it makes sense to spend as much as you can afford on the best possible hinge. Cheaper hinges are an appropriate choice for lighter doors, but if you’ve invested in a heavy door, always buy the best quality one out there. A door hinge made from sturdy material will last you a very long time and make it difficult for intruders to bypass. You don’t have to worry about someone just kicking down the door to get in.
We strongly advise that you have an appropriate budget for the door hinge. If anything, the security of your home and the longevity of the door you’ve purchased depends on it.
Size Does Matter When It Comes to Hinges
You can buy door hinges in many different sizes; though the 3.5″ hinge is the most common for internal doors. The 4″ hinge is the most common for external doors. However, if you are replacing the hinges on your existing door, you will want to measure the dimensions of the current hinges from top to bottom and side to side.
Once the height and width are measured, you will also want to know the corner radius. If the hinge has a corner at a 90° angle, you need a square corner hinge, and there is no need to measure it any further.
If you have a hinge with rounded corners, you will want to know the size of the radius of that corner. The easy way to measure this is to use a dime or quarter (US). Place the coin on the hinge, and see which of the two fit neatly in the corner.
- A Quarter = 5/8 Inch Corner
- If it’s a dime Dime, then you have a 1/4 Inch Corner
The Size and Thickness of the Door
The other important consideration is the size and thickness of the door because it will affect the size of your door hinges. As a rule of thumb, heavier and larger doors need larger hinges made from higher quality materials. If you have a door that’s very thick, then a hinge that’s five or six inches will be a good bet, instead of a smaller or standard size hinge.
The Style and Finish of The Hinges
Finally, you will want to consider how the hinges look, which may seem like a strange point to bring up, but there is a reason we bring this up. Some hinge styles are not seen; in fact, you don’t have to worry about how they look with them. However, if the door is the center of attention, you will want to choose a style of door hinge that’s invisible from the outside. That said, if you want that the door hinge draws attention, they are available in various styles and finishes, which can add to your door’s overall look and feel.
A bright-colored hinge, for instance, like silver or gold, will provide the needed contrast to make that striking appearance. You can also take it one step further by choosing a decorative hinge, which includes designs that will add a touch of class and charm while blending into the interior of your home. Finding these hinges can take some time and effort, but it might be worth it for you in our books.
The type of hinge you choose in terms of appearance and aesthetics, if up to you. However, we admit that the hinges aren’t visible with most doors, and it does not stand to reason that you should spend much money on appearance or finishing. But for whom it matters, there are options out there worth considering.
Final Word
Today, there are more hinges and types of hinges than they ever were before, so you can simply choose what you want. You have the choice of choosing hinges that catch the eye, and then there are ones that don’t look as great, but they are performance powerhouses. What you end up paying for hinges depends on its quality. That’s why it is so important for people in the market for a hinge to do their research. It does not hurt to take your time to find the right one for your door. Check out our products to find everything you need!