Hinges are small but important parts of cabinets and furniture that help to secure and close the doors and drawers on your piece of furniture or storage box. You may not think about hinges much until something goes wrong, but you should take the time to learn about hinges and how they work, as well as how to choose the best ones for your cabinet or piece of furniture. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about hinges, from what types of hinges exist to how to choose the best supplier properly so they will last for many years without any problems.
Why Are Quality Kitchen Cabinet Hinge so Important?
When sourcing the kitchen cabinet hinges from hinge suppliers, quality is always the first consideration. Do you know why? There are four primary reasons:
- Quality hinges create a clean appearance:
Kitchens with quality hinges have a sleek and high-end look, which is exactly what many people hope for from their kitchens these days—especially those who enjoy spending time creating fantastic meals for family and friends! It may be hard to picture that fancy hinge style right now because it will only be seen when the door is closed. But believe us when we say that hinges can make a big difference in how your cabinets look.
- Quality hinges add durability:
You also want something that lasts forever, or is close to it; especially if you plan on selling your home anytime soon! Homebuyers love homes with great-looking kitchen designs, so don’t give them anything less than what they want by choosing hinged doors that come apart too easily or aren’t built well enough to last very long.
- Quality hinges add safety:
If your doors are flimsy or come apart too easily, it can cause accidents for you and your family. We all know how dangerous cabinet doors can be if they fly open while someone is walking by or even running to get something—especially kids! That’s why it’s important to invest in quality hinges that won’t fall apart anytime soon, so your cabinets stay functional and safe to use at all times.
- Quality hinges add convenience:
Quality hinges ensure that kitchen cabinet doors open and close smoothly—it doesn’t matter how often it happens or who is using them at any given time. They are easy to use by design, which means everyone will appreciate them no matter what their skill level is with household chores.
Different Types of Kitchen Cabinet Hinge
There are four types of kitchen cabinet hinges that are commonly used by home builders. Each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, and each is designed for a different type of cabinet. Here is a brief description of each kind:
- Spring-loaded hinges: Spring-loaded hinges offer just about all you could want in a hinge, with one exception—they’re not meant to be used on base cabinets. These are typically found on U-shaped or L-shaped cabinetry that forms two 90 degree angles at 90 degrees from one another. Because these hinges rely on spring pressure to stay closed (rather than gravity), they should not be installed below eye level to avoid catching your clothes or fingertips.
- Full-overlay hinges: These are most commonly found on base cabinets, but they can also be used on some higher units. They create a small gap between two doors of similar size, with one door overlapping onto another slightly smaller door. Full-overlay hinges are known for their sturdiness and dependability, making them great for use in homes that experience more than average wear and tear on their cabinets.
- Half-overlay hinges: A step up from full-overlay hinges, a half-overlay hinge allow you to create a small gap between two doors that are not exactly similar in size. They are not quite as sturdy as full-overlay, but they are easier to install and less expensive. Depending on how your kitchen cabinetry is laid out, these can be used for base cabinets.
- Inset hinges: Depending on your kitchen cabinet, inset hinges are great for letting doors line up on each other without overlapping. They are not ideal for use in homes with children or pets, since it’s difficult to prevent them from getting their fingers pinched between two sliding doors that don’t completely overlap. These can be used for either base cabinets or some higher units.
How To Choose The Best Hinge Suppliers
Selecting hinges for cabinets is an important decision. It’s difficult to make a hasty choice, especially with all of these options at hand. If you’re having trouble deciding which hinges are best, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your hinge supplier.
- Quality
First, you need to pay attention to quality. You don’t want cheap hinges—you want high-quality hinges that won’t fall apart after just a few uses. Many people may opt for something cheap, but it is worth taking your time and finding good-quality products that will last you years into future projects.
- Professionalism
Trust what they have to say about themselves on their website. This goes without saying: if they say they’re professionals, then chances are they know what they’re talking about. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions or even call them directly so you can get a feel for how professional and trustworthy they seem over the phone as well as through their website content. Do your research first so you can ask pertinent questions!
- Budget
Figure out your budget before going to meet with any hinge suppliers. There are many different types of hinges available today, and not all of them cost a fortune. Figure out how much money you’re willing to spend on hinges before getting in touch with suppliers—this way, you won’t end up rushing yourself into making a bad decision based on trying to choose quickly because there aren’t enough funds available from your original budget plan.
- Customer reviews
Always make sure to read reviews about companies and products before purchasing anything. Before purchasing hinges from a company, always read reviews written by previous customers—these reviews can give you insight into whether or not you should purchase hinges from said company. Sometimes reading review comments can help sway your opinion one way or another (positively or negatively), depending on what other people think of that company overall.
These tips should help give you a clear idea of things to look for when selecting hinge suppliers for your next project.