What Are Door And Window Hinges?

Architectural structures need hinges to hold windows and doors together. The rotational movement about the central axis of the hood allows cabinets, gates, doors, and windows to close and open easily. The hinges need to be of good quality; otherwise, the functionality of the home's key features will be compromised. 

Hinges also play a critical role in a home's interior design because these intricate details bring the whole look together. Nevertheless, unlike when options were limited, now there is a chance to choose from an assortment of hinge types. So one can easily get them in the design they want.

Types Of Hinges

There are multiple types of hinges available for modern doors and windows; the most common ones include: 

Butt Hinge

Butt hinges are used to fix two parts of timber together. This type of hinge is also used in door bolts. They can be seen everywhere; wooden external and internal doors use them, some cupboards and windows do as well. 

Security Butt Hinge

Security butt hinges are primarily used for outward opening doors, with the hinge pin visible externally. However, just like their butt hinge counterpart, they also must be recessed in the door surface and are therefore only ideal for wooden doors. 

Continuous Hinges

They can be pretty long and are commonly used to secure piano lids. Continuous hinges are primarily found in any joinery system that needs support across the extended length. 

Flush Hinge 

They are a reasonably lightweight hinge and are primarily used when recessing into the surface is not an option, unlike the butt hinge. Therefore, they are mainly found in cupboards, kitchen cabinets, and drawers. 

Pivot Hinge

Pivot hinges were typically used in older stone buildings, in which they were attached to both the floor and door frame's top. Unfortunately, they might not be seen commonly in local hardware stores, so it is difficult for people with old-designed houses to find the right door and window hardware. 

Concealed Hinge

As the name suggests, these hinges are primarily used in interior doors and cupboards and are concealed. Therefore, they mostly need a large hole in the door to let the hinge's body fit. 

Double Action Hinge

They are primarily found in commercial buildings, and similar to sliding door gear, allow for the two-way movement of doors. 

Friction Hinge

They are primarily found in the uPVC double glazing windows since they usually do not need latches and locks to secure them. However, friction hinges can differ considerably, as different manufacturers use various styles. 

Things To Consider When Selecting A Hinge

Certain factors must be considered when choosing a hinge for a specific purpose, such as:

• Just like when selecting door knockers, the material, look, and colour are critical selection criteria
• Check whether the hinge goes in the interior of entry doors
• Check whether the door stops, window hinges, and door hooks are fire and corrosion-resistant
• Test the rotation angle of hinges and doorknobs and check flexibility
• Check whether the doorbell pushes and hinges come with a warranty period

Care And Maintenance Of Door And Window Hinges

There is nothing more annoying than squeaky doors. Door hinge maintenance is critical to prevent this sound. 

Here are the steps required to maintain them and keep doors and windows noise-free:

Getting The Right Lubricant

Whether working on exterior or interior doors, the correct lubricant must be used to repair door hinges. In addition, it should penetrate the hinge's grime and continue working for an extended time. 

Silicone spray lubricants are widely available and grease the hinges well. Food-grade oils and lithium grease can also be used. 

Locate And Remove The Hinge Pin

The hinges are located between the walls and doors, and the pin holds both the hinge components together. Unfortunately, the hook is round, and it must be removed for proper lubrication. To remove it, open the door and pull it out with long pliers. Take care when doing this since it can easily scrape the knuckles. 

Clean The Surface And Apply The Lubricant

After removing the hinge pin, use an old towel to wipe the grime and grease from all parts. Once clean, apply a thin lubricant coat on the hinge and pin directly. 

Reassemble The Hinge

To reassemble the hinge, line the pin and slide it back into place. When a lubricant is applied, it will slide easily. Once it is down, confirm that the hinge is assembled correctly by closing and opening the doors several times. 

This allows the lubricant to get deep inside the hinges. If the door constantly squeaks when closed or opened, repeat the above steps until it stops.